The Watchman

I was explaining to my wife the reasons I am so continually careful about what is seen and heard within our family. I was sharing the fact that we must all guard our hearts because they may gradually grow cold. Sin tries to get in with many doors. It is very appealing and seems so natural that oftentimes to avoid the smaller pollutions of sin actually seems unreasonable to many people.

The problem with allowing a small compromise into our hearts is the permission brings an agreement we soon not simply allow but defend. We choose its side.

So as I was describing how I am careful to guard the family I saw in my mind an ancient city wall with a tall observation tower. The watchman has to stand guard and look for trouble every day and every night continually. He must stand guard and stand watch no matter how remote the possibility there may be an invasion. He will watch and look for trouble because the only way to be safe at all is to be on guard at all times.

I guess I am the watchmen for my family. I have to be a watchman for my own heart as well. Tonight I was watching a television show on Hulu and it was very innovative and interesting but after the show was over I noticed it altered my mood. I found myself thinking about the inherent riddle in the story. I found that the mood and thought patterns the show left me with did not match the frame of mind I try to have. So I am going to drop that show after only two episodes in order to guard myself.

When we are passionately pursuing God we may find we joyfully make special choices in those things we watch and see. We may find we guard and watch our families because we are not unaware of the schemes of the enemy.