How can we identify "worthless things" in today's world? Focus Verse: Psalm 119:37 “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.” Defining “Worthless Things” • Anything that holds no eternal value and distracts us from Christ • Objects, ideas, habits, or pursuits that contradict God’s revealed will • “Worthless” does not always mean evil; even neutral things become empty if they displace obedience and worship (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:2) Why Discernment Matters • Scripture is accurate and literal; when it warns, it does so for our protection (Psalm 19:7–11) • Clinging to what is worthless dulls spiritual appetite and quenches the Spirit’s work (1 Thessalonians 5:19) • Fixing our gaze on Christ preserves life and joy (Hebrews 12:2) Practical Signs Something Is Worthless • It contradicts or undermines clear biblical teaching • It consumes time, money, or thought that should belong to God (Ephesians 5:15-16) • It entices toward sin or dulls sensitivity to sin (James 1:14-15) • It feeds pride, greed, lust, or envy rather than the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) • It leaves the conscience restless instead of peaceful (Colossians 3:15) Common Categories of Worthless Things Today • Entertainment that glorifies immorality, violence, or blasphemy (Psalm 101:3) • Endless social-media scrolling that fosters comparison or anger • Pursuit of status symbols—gadgets, cars, fashion—sought for self-exaltation (1 John 2:16) • Pornography and illicit relationships that corrupt body and soul (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) • Philosophies that deny God’s truth—materialism, relativism, occult practices (Colossians 2:8) • Time-wasting habits that eclipse Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and service (Matthew 6:33) Scriptural Tests for Discernment 1. Philippians 4:8 Filter: Is it true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy? 2. Matthew 6:19-21 Test: Does it store treasure in heaven or only on earth? 3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Gauge: Can I engage in it to the glory of God? 4. Romans 12:2 Check: Does it conform me to the world or transform me by renewing my mind? 5. Proverbs 4:23 Guard: Does it help or hinder guarding my heart? Steps to Turn Our Eyes Away • Feed on God’s Word daily; it creates holy appetites that crowd out empty ones (Jeremiah 15:16) • Ask the Spirit to expose hidden idols; He delights to answer (Psalm 139:23-24) • Replace worthless input with edifying content—sermons, worship, Christ-honoring books • Establish accountability with mature believers (Hebrews 3:13) • Set practical boundaries: time limits on media, filters on devices, scheduled periods for silence and prayer • Redirect resources—time, talent, money—toward kingdom purposes (2 Corinthians 9:7) • Remember the cross; Christ paid too high a price for us to waste life on empty pursuits (1 Peter 1:18-19) Living Revived, Not Deceived When Scripture is embraced as literally true and fully reliable, its warnings about “worthless things” become urgent and its promises of revival become certain. By turning our eyes deliberately toward Christ and away from the empty glitter of the age, we find the vibrant life the psalmist sought—preserved, energized, and satisfied in the Word that never fails. |
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