Day 27 — What My Eyes See

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”

— Psalm 101:3 (BSB)

How many hours a day do you spend looking at a screen? Phones, tablets, TVs, computers, video games… for many kids, it adds up to a lot of hours. And screens can be great! You can learn, create things, talk with family far away and laugh at funny videos.

But what we look at shapes who we become. Remember Day 24? What goes into your eyes ends up in your heart.

King David wrote a promise to God: “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” Worthless means something that has no good value, or something that pulls you away from God. David decided ahead of time what he wouldn’t look at.

That’s a wise thing to do. Here are some questions to help you decide what’s worth watching or playing:

• Would I be comfortable if Jesus were watching this with me? (He is!)
• Does this make me want to be kind, or mean?
• Does this show wrong things as if they’re cool or funny?
• Would my parents be okay with this?
• Is this stealing time from better things, like family, friends, playing outside, reading or sleeping?

Sometimes you might see something online that you didn’t go looking for, something scary, violent or inappropriate that makes you feel uncomfortable. That’s not your fault. But here’s what to do: turn it off right away, and tell a parent or a trusted adult. You won’t be in trouble. Grown-ups want to help keep you safe, and talking about it helps.

David also said about wrong things, “It shall not cling to me.” Some things stick in your mind long after you’ve seen them, like mud on your shoes. That’s why it’s worth guarding your eyes in the first place.

This isn’t about being afraid of screens or never having fun. It’s about being wise. God gave you your eyes as a gift. Use them to look at good things, and most of all, to look to Him.

Think about it: Is there anything you watch, play or scroll through that you think God might not want you to? What could you replace it with?

Try this: Take a one-day break from one screen activity. Use that time to do something else: read, play outside, build something or spend time with your family.

Dear God, thank You for my eyes. Help me not to set worthless things in front of them. Give me wisdom about what I watch and play. When I see something that’s not good, help me turn away and tell a grown-up. Help me keep my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.