Gospel Goggles

One of the reasons I love math is the certainty of it. 2 + 2 is always 4…always. An inch can be measured consistently each and every time. Everyone agrees on these measurements…no interpretation needed.

Yet, when it comes to the rest of life, certainty goes the way of unity. Everyone has an opinion and a standard by which they measure cause and effect, right and wrong. I was reading recently on the issue of marital affairs when I came across the following:

"I run across people who think everybody is [having an affair] and something is wrong if they're not doing it, too," says [Frank] Pittman [a psychiatrist from] Atlanta. "People get the idea from the media that it's a normal thing and anyone not doing it is missing out on life's goodies."

A study last fall by the online research firm Insight Express found that 89% of 1,000 adults ages 25 to 65 believe monogamy is a realistic goal. But 75% say the lifestyles of young Hollywood stars set a bad example, and just 26% believe television portrays committed relationships in a positive light. ( USA Today, 7/1/2008 Sharon Jayson “Infidelity has a new face”)

I’m not writing here about the trappings of media nor the issues of adultery. I’m writing about what shapes us? By what standard are we measuring cause and effect, right and wrong? And what will we allow to shape our perspectives of marital success?

I don’t disagree with the quote above. TV does portray relationships negatively and people are striving for false forms of happiness and fulfillment. However, the question must be asked, “Who gave media the power to shape our thinking?” And then, the necessary follow up, “How do we get it back?”

You’ve heard of the proverbial “Rose-Colored Glasses,” I assume. Let me introduce you to their sanctified cousin, “Gospel Goggles.” You see, with the truth of the Gospel firmly fixed in our vision, television cannot sway our understanding of right and wrong. With the Gospel forming our understanding, we know the cause and effect. The cause is sin and the effect is ugly.

With our Gospel Goggles, we see beyond the goal of fulfilling our desires to the higher goal of fulfilling God’s will. We see serving our spouse not as obligatory but as blessing. We see the commands of God and the call to faithfulness not as restrictive, but as guardrails on our journey. The Gospel reins in our desires and false assumptions and says in the voice of a loving Father, “No, child. This is the path of true fulfillment.”

How can we get ourselves a pair of Gospel Goggles? You can’t get ‘em on TV and you can’t buy them in stores. They develop from the inside. How can you grow them? Some very practical and unoriginal steps:

- Memorize Scripture specific to areas you are prone to forget the Gospel.
- Read the Word regularly.
- Live in open fellowship with other believers.
- Confess your sin regularly to God and to others.
- Pray for the wisdom and protection of God.

By what standard will we be shaped? By God’s grace, we’ll be shaped by the standard of our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. Our marriages will be stronger…and more fulfilling. All to the glory of God.