I was recently reading Psalm 101, and the words practically leapt off the page, highlighting an important game plan that Christians just can’t do without.
Although many of us are trying to.
Here are some of David’s words in the psalm that first grabbed my attention:
“I will ponder the way that is blameless…”
Psalm 101:2a
To ponder is to consider something deeply and thoroughly, to meditate.
We don’t do a lot of pondering these days, do we? Because pondering goes beyond simply thinking about something. It requires depth — digging through layers until we reach the heart of the matter. It also requires breadth — considering many facets of the subject at hand. Not being content to settle on the first line of thinking that crosses our minds.
Did you notice David’s wording? “I will ponder.” This tells me pondering is a choice I have to make. And since the wheels of life keep moving faster and days keep getting fuller and free time is becoming more scarce, you and I must plan to ponder. Because it’s worth making time for.
So what exactly did David ponder? “…the way that is blameless.” I wonder how much more successful you and I would be in walking blamelessly if we actually spent time pondering how to do it.
The psalmist goes on in the rest of this chapter to detail more than a dozen ways he will walk blamelessly. What would happen if you and I made a choice to ponder the way that is blameless, and then listed our ponderings on paper? Developed a game plan, so to speak?
I would venture to say that our chances of walking blamelessly would rise pretty dramatically.
We can learn a lot from David’s list. For example, here’s how he begins pondering the way that is blameless:
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
Psalm 101:2b-3
Have you steadfastly committed to ensuring that you set nothing worthless before your eyes? In place of worthless, some Bible versions use words like vile, vulgar, wicked, or corrupt. In this day and age, there are many worthless things we can set before our eyes.
It’s readily available even in our own homes! Yep. I can think of no place where worthless, vile, vulgar, wicked, and corrupt things are so easily accessed than the internet.
Having a Game Plan
Oh, dear one, do you have a plan in place to protect your eyes and the eyes of your loved ones from that which is vile and vulgar online? In my opinion, it’s an absolutely essential part of Christian living today.
Yes, I really do mean essential. Your game plan might look different from mine, but having some kind of game plan is non-negotiable.
To be honest, I’m ashamed that our family waited as long as we did. It’s one of those things I knew we needed for a long time before we actually took the steps to make it happen. Thankfully, a godly friend recommended Covenant Eyes to me, and after almost two years of having Covenant Eyes’ protection, I can wholeheartedly say that we don’t plan to ever be without it on all our electronic devices.
What has Covenant Eyes been worth to my family, you ask?
An incalculable impact
I like big words; can you tell? 😉 But seriously, when I try to imagine the impact that Covenant Eyes has had in my life and the lives of my family members, I truly cannot calculate it. I can’t even give you a good estimate.
Because to do that, I would have to identify all the trash I haven’t seen.
I would have to fathom all the trash my kids haven’t been exposed to.
I would have to put a value on a tool that helps to refute the lie that no one will ever know about my sin. The lie that some sins are private, and that they don’t really matter.
I would have to quantify the value of a tool that has prompted important conversations between my husband and me, and also with our children, about things like purity, lust, temptation, and holiness. Conversations in which I’ve been able to say to my kids, “We’re using Covenant Eyes because evil is real, temptation is rampant, Satan is on the prowl, and every single one of us must be vigilant.”
So that’s why I can say that the value of Covenant Eyes has been priceless to me.
Questions Answered About Covenant Eyes
>>How much does it cost? I’m honestly not a big fan of monthly subscriptions, but Covenant Eyes is an expense that’s 100% worth budgeting for. It’s very reasonably priced at just $11.99/month for individuals and couples, and $15.99/month for families.
>>What if I sign up and don’t like it? I have a hard time imagining that happening, just because Covenant Eyes meets a very real need in a practical way at an honest price. BUT if I’m wrong about that, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
>>>What if I don’t have kids? Covenant Eyes offers a filter, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about encouraging accountability and community between believers, so it’s just as powerful for adults as it is for children. You can read more here about just how life-changing accountability can be.
>>>Is Covenant Eyes right for me? I think it’s right for any Christian who recognizes the temptations available on the internet and is serious about safeguarding their hearts from evil. I would say that it’s not necessary for those who don’t have regular online access, but you’re reading this post, so… 😉 If you don’t already have internet protection, I would say that Covenant Eyes is definitely right for you.
Take the Challenge!
Whether or not you sign up for Covenant Eyes, I want to come alongside you in your quest for purity and holiness. That’s why I created a FREE 21-day email challenge called Praying the Scriptures for Purity. You can get more information and sign up here.
I’m so honored to lock arms with you, friend. Because hey, we’re in this together. “I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.” (Psalm 101:6)
What questions do you have about Covenant Eyes? Leave a comment below and let me know, and I’ll answer your question ASAP.
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