Guarding what goes in

This is one of these posts that are difficult for me to write.  At the same time it needs to be written.  I have something that recently I've been convicted on as being wrong for me.  I am in no way judging anyone.  This has been more of a personal journey for me.  I've been working more at following God's direction for my life and the life of my family.  That includes what we watch on TV.

Ephesians 4:14-15 "That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-."

For the past year my  husband and I have enjoyed Downton Abbey.  There has been many episodes where we were almost embarrassed to admit we were fans of this show.  We would not let our children watch the show because of some of the content we had seen.  What is that saying to my children?  It's OK for us to watch it?  Why? Because we are older? More experienced?  Just like my children, we are followers of Jesus Christ.  Would this show be pleasing in the eyes of Christ?  Would I be watching this if Jesus was sitting in the room with me?  The answer to that is NO.  Do you know that Jesus is sitting here with me.  Me as a follower of Him.  He is with me no matter where I go and what I do.

Ephesians 4:17-18 "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

We are to be set apart from the world.  I got sucked into the show because it was a period show and I really love them.  I kept telling myself, "It's ok everyone else is watching it."  No it doesn't make it ok.  We are forever telling our children that we must be different then those who do not follow Christ.  So why do I get to live my life at a different standard?  Yes, I admit we are the adults.  Our children are not mature enough for certain things.  I think you know what I'm saying here.

Ephesians 5:15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

The Bible clearly tells us we must stay away from the things that are considered OK on the show.  Adultery (Exodus 20:14), homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9), lying (Ephesians 4:25), cheating (Proverbs 13:11), love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), gossip (1Timothy 5:13)...the list goes on and on.  Downton Abbey makes all of these things seem ok.  Well I know these things are not ok for me. 

So I am here to ask for forgiveness.  Please forgive me for causing anyone of you to stumble in your walk with God.  I only want pure and please things to God to enter my body.  Like my parents always told me, "Garbage in means garbage out."