Day 27 — Turn My Eyes Away

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.”

— Psalm 119:37 (BSB)

Your eyes are like doors into your mind and heart. Whatever you look at goes inside you. It shapes what you think about, what you want and who you become.

That’s why the writer of Psalm 119 prayed, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things.”

Worthless things are things with no real value, or things that pull you away from God. For guys today, a lot of those come through screens: videos, games, shows and websites.

Some of what’s on screens is great. But some of it is violent, cruel, crude or just a huge waste of time. And some of it shows people, especially girls and women, in ways that don’t treat them with the respect God wants, as if they’re just bodies to look at instead of people made in His image.

The Bible has a lot to say about guarding what you look at. Job, a man who loved God, once said he had made a promise with his eyes, a decision ahead of time about what he wouldn’t look at (Job 31:1). That’s wise! It’s much easier to decide before you’re in a situation than in the middle of it.

Here’s how to guard your eyes:

• Decide ahead of time what you won’t watch or look at.
• Turn it off or look away right away if something comes on that you know isn’t good. Don’t wait to see what happens next.
• Ask your parents to help you set up good boundaries on your devices. That’s not babyish. It’s smart. Even adults use them.
• Fill your eyes with good things: God’s Word, good books, real friends, sports and the outdoors.
• Don’t keep secrets. If you ever see something online that makes you uncomfortable, confused or curious in a way you know isn’t right, tell a parent or trusted adult. You won’t be in trouble for telling. They want to help.

Notice the second half of the verse: “revive me with Your word.” It’s not just about turning away from bad things. It’s about turning toward God. When you fill your mind with His Word, the worthless things lose their pull.

Think about it: What are some “worthless things” guys your age are tempted to look at? What could you replace them with?

Try this: Talk with a parent this week about your screens. Together, decide on some boundaries that will help you guard your eyes.

Dear God, turn my eyes away from worthless things. Help me decide ahead of time what I won’t look at, and help me look away quickly when I need to. Fill my mind with Your Word instead. And help me be honest with my parents if I ever see something I shouldn’t. In Jesus’ name, Amen.