Christians & Television

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes – [Psalm 101:3]

This posting is a challenge to myself.  I watch more TV than I should.  The following is intended for me — but I suspect many others may benefit from it as well.   

This subject affects many people today both Christians and non-Christians. But I’m concerned most with the Christian perspective since God’s people need to be concerned about things that concern God. When we study the Bible diligently we can see how God has an opinion on everything already, since the Bible addresses all aspects of our lives by its descriptions of what is holy and pleasing to God and what is offensive and displeasing to Him.  God has provided the Bible to warn us about things that can harm us and things that can hurt our relationship to Him.

Is there anything I could get exposed to by watching TV, commercials included, which would pollute my mind?

2 Cor 7:1 – dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Does God really care if I accidentally see something sinful or ungodly on TV?

Deu 7:26 – Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.James 4:4 – Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Does God want me to be unnecessarily exposed to people who mock Him and His commandments and that desensitize me to the sin in me and around me?

Psa 1:1 – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.Jude 1:17-18 – But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

Can I honestly say to God that I am being his obedient servant when I sit down for too long in front of a TV set? Is that His calling for me?

Rom 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Would I tell another Christian that if they want to renew their mind and avoid being conformed to this world, they should watch more TV?

Rom 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Are even the most godly of TV shows more important than reading the Bible, spending time in prayer or ministering to a person in need?

Psa119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path 

Prov 3:13-15: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Does watching TV expose my eyes (and mind) to ungodly and unholy things?

Mat 6:22-23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Does TV help me to redeem the time?

Eph 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Could things on TV negatively affect others in my home?

Mat 18:6-9 – But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Is TV viewing the most profitable use of my time?

Titus 3:8 – This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

What is the spiritual value of watching TV?

1 Cor 3:12-15 – Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Whose time am I wasting if I watch too much TV?

1 Cor 6:19-20 – What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Do I want to be counted among the unprofitable and slothful servants?

Prov 24:30-32 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

Does TV fit into my role as an ambassador for Christ?

Eph 6:19-20 – And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Am I ignoring admonitions in God’s Word to avoid putting wicked things before my eyes?

Psa 101:3 – I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes

Does TV fit into my role as a soldier in God’s army?

2 Tim 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Does TV viewing prepare me to have the heart and mind of Christ?

1 Cor 2:16-3:1 – who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Just how serious are the consequences of not caring much about the potential for TV’s harmful affects?

Prov 1:29-33 – For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Is TV helping me to be like Christ?

1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.2 Tim 2:16 – But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Does TV help me to hear God’s voice?

Isa 6:8 – Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Has TV become an idol or unclean thing in my life?

2 Cor 6:16-17 – And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

Am I seeking rest from the wrong source?

Exod 33:14 – And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Once I’ve admitted to God what I should be doing with HIS time, what is the next step?

Luke 17:7-10 – But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

If you’ve read this far, Praise the Lord!  I know that this could be a very sensitive subject to some – because it is for me.  Please do what I’ve done – ask yourself why do I have a problem with a particular point mentioned above? Ask yourself would the Church of Jesus Christ be better off today without TV? Would you personally be better off without TV?  Would your relationship to Christ suffer if you put your TV on the curb the next time the trash was picked up?

Don’t be like me and watch too much TV! 

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve” [Joshua 24:15]

To God Be The Glory!