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Should Christians throw out their TVs?

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by IfbReformer, Jan 1, 2004.

  1. David Mark

    David Mark New Member

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    I am very weak in regards to television or any images that appear before my eyes. The images that I run across on TV cement themselves in my brain. Additionally, the conversations, jokes and advertising con games on TV infuriate me and the only way I can avoid getting a bad attitude is to turn that box off.

    So as an experiment the box was moved into the back room about a year ago and is collecting dust.

    I will use it if I need to, but I hope to be in control of that box, not the other way around.

    I hope to learn to be like that in other areas too.

    Using my computer seems much different to me. I have much more control over it. Nevertheless, it is not immune to my scrutiny.

    Still learning,

    Dave
     
  2. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    OK QS, but my point is that both the TV and the internet offer a source of sin and temptation.

    The LORD and I have as much control over my mouse as over my TV channel changer (assuming of course that the LORD is my LORD).

    If we aren't walking in the Spirit then sin is inevitable TV or not.

    Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

    Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

    Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

    We need to mortify/crucify the flesh to have a strong spiritual immune system.

    Ephesians 6
    12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
    13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
    14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
    15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
    16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
    17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
    18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

    HankD
     
  3. IfbReformer

    IfbReformer New Member

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    Wow,

    I don't look at the board for one day, and then there are a ton of responses.

    I will try and respond to each of your concerns or observations.

    IFBReformer
     
  4. IfbReformer

    IfbReformer New Member

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    Since you seem to be the most aggresive respondent I will answer you first.

    I don't think you anticpating any response I might have would "end up looking more like a fool" is "speaking the truth in love"(Eph 4:15).

    YOUR STATEMENT:
    MY RESPONSE:
    Should'nt any thing that can offer demoralizing material be cut out? I don't see how you can use the internet, with millions of pornographic websites and justify your logic. Go buy stamps, buy books, you can do without the internet.

    While we are on the subject, why don't you stay home and grow your own food in the back yard. Then you won't have to go to the grocery store where you could possibly be exposed to demoralizing material.

    And really you should stay home, because if you go driving you might expose yourself to bill boards with demoralizing material.

    Ah, I know your response to these things as I have heard them many times. Going out on the road is necessary - watching TV is not. I have a question for you then, do the rules change for something if it is necessary or not.

    So because it is necessary, I can drive down the road and expose myself to demoralizing material on billboards and other signs. But because it is not necessary, then I may not watch TV where I may be exposed to this same demoralizing material? Where is the "necessary" clause found in the New Testament? I have not found it yet.

    YOUR STATEMENT:
    MY RESPONSE:
    I am reminded of a passage of scripture:

    1 Corinthians 6:12(NIV)
    ""Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything."

    I agree that if the TV over powers us then we ought to take a brake from it. Maybe that means putting in the closet. There are many things that can overpower us and the TV is just one of them.

    I used to love to play computer strategy games. But then I noticed I was spending way too much time and they became addictive. They had the power over me, even though the games are not wrong in and of themselves.

    I put them away for a while and did not play for months. Then I slowly reintroduced them and set strict time limits for myself. The result is that I still play them occasionally, but they no longer have the power over me.

    If you or someone else sees the TV is having power over them, that they are compelled at every waking hour of the day to watch it. Maybe they do need to put it away for awhile. Or maybe they are drawn to the wrong kind of shows, then maybe they need to put it away for awhile.

    But I will say this, that the TV is actually something that can be as Paul writes "beneficial". Some shows do not require much thought and these allow us to relax - there is nothing wrong with that.

    Other shows like I watch on the history channel, broaden our mind. Other shows like mysterys cause us to think. And news programs keep us informed with what is going on in our world.

    One other reason that I believe watching TV can be benefial for a Christian is that it allows us to be a better witness. You ask how? Because TV is the main cultural medium by which our society communicates.

    If I am trying to build a relationship with someone so I can witness to them and we begin talking something on TV is very likely to come up in casual conversation.

    Now if it is a show that I think is wrong and I do not watch, I still know of the show and can tell them that I do not watch it. I may even share some reasons why. If it is a show that I have seen, then I have a bridge to talk with them. I have even used some things from television shows and movies to show Godly principles to people I have witnessed to.

    But if I just tell them I don't have a TV or don't watch TV at all, this is an unecessary turn-off to most people and I won't get two words in with them.

    These are just some things to think about my friend.

    IFBReformer
     
  5. IfbReformer

    IfbReformer New Member

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    I agree that TV can become a distraction. It can over power some people and I have no problem with you putting it aside for that reason.

    But you have not totally gotten rid of it. You can still use it beneficial qualities and teach your children about Biblical discernment in the process.

    IFBReformer
     
  6. Precepts

    Precepts New Member

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    IFB, I think we have both said exactly the same thing in regards to the subject, but it's the "second" look that causes so much damage. I can't even drive my worktruck to the job or my family to church with my head stuck in the ground. I say this in jest, but you speak like you have tried! [​IMG]

    I just got back from a campmeeting in Taylors, SC, and I am reconfirming my realization: the more time I spend with my affections on the things of God, like discussing Biblical standards and godly principles, the more I am filled with the Spirit than with myself.

    I give the Lord all the honour and glory for this, I am in the world, but not of the world!
     
  7. shadow_of_the_cross

    shadow_of_the_cross New Member

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    Interesting discussion. I have grown up in a home without a TV, and can honestly say that I am much the better for it. There's so much trash on TV, and even watching "good" programs you get exposed to wordly advertising and other garbage. I wouldn't say it's necessarily wrong for Christians to own a TV, but if they do own one, I think they should be very careful about their viewing habits. Someone else quoted the verse "I will set no wicked thing before mine eye." This is a great verse to apply to watching TV.

    Also, as a kid I got into reading books instead of watching TV for hours like most children. I think too much TV lessens a child's sense of creativity and causes them to have a shorter attention span.
     
  8. IfbReformer

    IfbReformer New Member

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    I just want to share these additional thoughts on TV watching and our kids:

    I believe sometimes we can let the kids watch too much TV - that much we can all agree on.

    But I do not think TV or playing video games are necessarily "mind-numbin" as most people believe.

    I watch my children as they watch shoes like Dora the Explorer and Blues Clues. It is amazing what they learn in 5 seconds from these shows geared for their level. It would take me 10 times as long for them to pick up some of these things.

    Some of the Games we play teach excellant cooridnation skills. Crash Bash has all kinds of games with color matching and other skills - its awsome.

    But my kids love to just play with legos and build things too. They love to sit at the table and color and draw. In no way has Television dampened their creative skills.

    They love for us to read books to them at night and they even try and read them during the day.

    By the way I have 4 children, my oldest is 6, then the next is 4, the next is almost 2 and the last one was just born in November.

    We strive for balance with our children. Sometimes do things get out of balance? Of course they do and then we just need to get back on track.

    My oldest Son is turning more and more to be like his old man(me). His teacher from his kindegarden class(at Christian school) says out of all her students he asks the most advance questions when it comes to God.

    He made a proffesion of faith back in August after attending VBS. He loves God and wants to follow Gods ways. He is always asking me interesting ethical questions and he is only 6 years old.

    The point I am making is this. It is easy as Parents(whether Christian or non-Christian) to write off our failure to teach our children on other people or things like the TV.

    If our child does not want to be creative or learn, that is not the TVs fault, that is our fault as a parent for not being a better guide.

    My goal for my children is that they will honor the Lord with their lives, by being balance and obedient persons to Christ. I want them to appreciate the arts, whether they be music or creative writing, or even plays and movies. I want them to be people who always ask the tough questions, and are like the Bereans and search everything out.

    IFBReformer
     
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