August Newsletter: Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Maybe you saw the video. I pray you didn’t. It’s one of the first times I deliberately chose to take a massive step back from searching what everyone was discussing as online news. There were warnings everywhere “if you haven’t seen it, don’t watch”.

The video is over thirty minutes. It’s an online celebrity named Perez Hilton. He has a massive history of slandering and gossiping about every celebrity. If there’s a sin you can indulge in, it sounds like that is a part of his past. Then, one day he got saved. There are videos of him talking about finding Jesus. Those are cool ones to watch.

However, on Tuesday night, Perez went on Tik Tok live for over thirty minutes before the video was stopped. Articles consistently say the same things. He was n*de with a butcher knife making cuts into his own skin, his body covered in blood. Talking about how he hoped police shot him dead.

This video that I,thankfully, didn’t see reminded me of an old children’s church song:

O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

O be careful little eyes what you see

Some things aren’t meant for our human minds to see or comprehend. There is evil, especially online, that is beyond our comprehension. Many times, here on Tirzah, I hold back on the stories of the evil I have personally seen. Stories in real life that would make you scared to go outside. But, those stories are part of what God allowed me to see, so I can understand what women are dealing with in today’s society.

The reality is that we were not meant to consume constant evil. God wants us to know His power and deliverance. When I was working in a home for human trafficking victims, we had very strenuous rules around what television we watched. It wasn’t just the audience or language of the show. It was asking if this brings life or death to women who have experienced constant death.

For me, I chose to find things like comedies, cartoons, or Hallmark to watch with these women. They had been victims of things their eyes were forced to see. Now, I was helping them choose to see light, life, and joy. 

Maybe you think you need to be a part of the latest trends. See Perez’s video to talk about it. Watch the thing everyone else is because it’s cool. Don’t do it - it’s not worth it. There is already enough evil in this world and you don’t need to witness more.

One of my basic rules when I know I will be in an intense ministry season of ministering to women going through hard things in life is that I watch mostly light things. In those seasons, you will find me watching or enjoying some of the most light - hearted things ever. When I’m not in a season of directly ministering to heavy things, you will see that I am drawn to darker shows - that always bring an element of hope. I love superhero shows, stories that show people fighting back darkness and destroying it - while rescuing people. For me, it’s understanding the season God has placed me in and who He made me to be.

As you interact with television, movies, and social media - what boundaries can you put in place? What brings you life and what brings death? Don’t just look at if this is or isn’t labeled as a “Christian” movie, tv, or media format. Rather, ask what brings light and what brings darkness. What are some things you can put in practice today to guard your eyes?

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

-Proverbs 4:25-27