Thursday, April 14, 2011

Christian- what are you watching???

Sometimes, the truth is not popular.

I start this post off with that sentence, because I am fairly sure this will not gain me more readers, and will very likely offend the ones I already have. And yet I feel I need to write it anyway, because I believe it is right.

I do not believe Christians have any buisness watching most of the programs on television and very few movies.

I know, that is a very broad statement. Before I hear the word, "judgemental" or the dismissive, "That is just your opinion", I want to clarify a couple things.

First of all, I am writing this ONLY to those who actually consider themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ. He says, if you love Him, you will do what He says. We are not just free to do whatever we want, to entertain ourselves with whatever suits our fancy. We were bought with a price and are supposed to glorify God in all we do in these bodies.Many people out there would be offended and outraged by pornography but would have no issue watching movies or soap operas where extra-marital adulterous affairs or premarital sex are acted out.

I have heard the argeument: Porn is real. Soaps are not. It's just entertainment.

Okay, so one is people doing something evil and one is people pretending to do something evil. Why are we entertaining ourselves with evil at all??

The Bible calls the following things SIN: Extramarital and premarital sex, murder, bad language, taking the Lord's name in vain, coveting, etc. I am not going to attempt to list every sin the Bible forbids. I am just going to point out that most of what is on tv and in the movies has these things in them.

If God tells us not to DO them, why is is acceptable to watch people pretend to?

We would never murder, but we love to watch tv shows and movies that are all about crime, murder mysteries, forensics.

We would balk at the idea of being unfaithful to our spouses but we watch programs where that very thing is glorified and romantisized.

We watch programs with language we might not use, and would be horrified to hear our children use.

All for what? Entertainment?

Have we not made entertainment an idol?

I think it is time we dethrone entertainment and put Jesus back in His rightful place.

A good test to make sure the things you are watching or listening to are apporved by God?

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Is it true? Honorable? Just and pure and lovely? Commendable? Is there exellence and anything in it worthy of praise? If not, ditch it.

This is not a matter of opinion. We will all have to stand before God and give an account for these things.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 says, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Jesus taught that on the day of judgement, we will give an account for even the words we speak!

I send this out as a warning and a plea... please! Consider what you are watching in the light of what the Bible teaches. Jesus is coming back for a holy bride. Is what you are entertaining yourself with making you holier?

If it isn't- stop watching it!

5 comments:

  1. I agree, Amy. I'm frequently surprised and disappointed by the movies Christian women mention or recommend on FB. *sigh*

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  2. Amy,

    I agree whole-heartedly with this post! Thank you for being bold enough to speak on this.

    2 Corinthians 5:9-10 is one of the most inspiring verses in Scripture for me - and too many of us do not really take it to heart, nor live by it, sadly.

    It can be terribly difficult, though, for those of us who are striving to live by the Word, especially when our children are confronted with others who do not do so. Still, holding fast to the faith is the only way to reach the finish, no?


    God Bless you for speaking out so boldly for the faith!

    ~LuAnne

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  3. i totally agree! you put this so eloquently and it does not sound judgmental at all. thank you for being open to speak such needed words.

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  4. I too agree with all you say. So often we have just switched off when a film suddenly becomes unpleasant. Young peoples' minds can be formed by what they watch.

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  5. I hardly ever watch the stuff. We only have terrestrial channels and have no plans to go digital when the changeover comes- you'd love Mothers Union's Bye Buy Baby campaign that I'm hoping to promote in church. Supplies pre-worded complaint cards that you can send to television companies. Will be sending private facebook message tonight. xxx

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