Featured Should Christians Watch TV?

In reply to your previous query, Mark C. - Any church-made rule of prohibition against any object or activity that's not outright evil, such as idol-worship, illicit sex, torture chambers, etc. are man-made rules of faith & worship, typical of cults & sects which seek mind-control of their members. Such rules include dictating how people wear their hair, their apparel, bling, or makeup, their entertainment, food & drink, etc. Jesus, speaking thru Paul, reminds us these things are a matter of conscience, and to not diss those who follow such rules, while those who do follow them should not diss those who don't.

Satan is on the lookout 24/7 for things he can use to weaken one's faith or testimony, and he uses those rules to create dissent among Christians, same as he uses KJVO & many other "isms" for the same result. And to watch or not watch TV, albeit a minor issue,l is still used by Satan for nefarious purposes.

 

Mark, the opening post gave good advise about how we use the time God gave us and what makes it worthwhile.
Some of the same things can be said about many of the pastimes we enjoy... reading...

"There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
and a time for every activity under heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 1:1 CSB​

The advise you gave would be a good men's breakfast admonition... I might use it if you don't mind.
It's main message was simply to be wary and be aware.

I'd might prelude the advise with a study of the life of Lot who followed his eyes into the green pastures of the valley and stumbled into dangerous ways.

...or maybe something from the life of David​

Rob

 

Mark,
I'm sorry! I should have been more clear. I was referring to myself in my previous post, not to you.

 

Compare your statement to the Apostle Paul's Statement, "I am the worst of sinners." The Pharisees also puffed themselves up thinking they were superior and holier than everyone else. I suggest that's not a good place to be.

 

Television is a useful device and an amazing invention. However, as Christians we must use discretion in how we use it. For myself, when watching a program of questionable content I have found it useful to ask this question. "If these people were actually in my house saying and doing the things they are saying and doing on TV, would I permit them to continue?" If the answer is negative, turn it off.

 

I suppose the idea of spending too much time in bible study might see like a back handed way of self aggrandizement. The alternate view would be a lacking in the requirement to be a doer of the word.

Either way, TV is a degrading influence in the lives of believers, and if you do not recognize that as fact, and consign it as just an opinion, perhaps Philippians 4:8 may have an application.

 

Mark:

Yes.

If I had my way, all porn would be banned from all media. But porn is a fact of life, and , as Christians, we should avoid it & speak out against it.

Seems you lean a little that way, but I could be wrong. As I said earlier, I'm against ALL man-made rules of faith & worship. I am "Sola Scriptura". But I'm not inflexible. I'd not go ballistic if some women wearing hijabs came into my church. But I'd certainly objest to anyone calling them down because of this.

And, far as i'm concerned, TV, radio, , internet, etc. are PERSONAL CHOICES,and each can be used for good or evil, same as a knife.

 

I like Paul am the greatest of sinners and humbly apologize for any appearance of being judgmental. I just feel that the more we can recognize our own guilt the better we can help others. As Jesus said get the beam out of our own eye before trying to remove the mote in our brother's eye. I think it's harmful to continually talk about "those people" who are prostitutes, homosexuals, street people, etc.Jesus continually said that His way was to be humble. All of us need to be more like Him. Remember, God granted the great honor of first encountering the risen Christ to a former prostitute.

 

I view TV, radio, the internet, books, movies etc. in the same light (no pun intended) as fire. All of these can be used to our benefit if used with spiritual discernment. There are some great Christian web sites. I recommend the one of a former pastor of mine, Ray Stedman. Ray Stedman -- authentic Christianity | RayStedman.org for written and audio copies of his messages and the Blue Letter Bible Bible Search and Study Tools - Blue Letter Bible for general Bible study. I can go on TV and watch old Billy Graham crusades with the great George Beverly Shea singing "How Great Thou Art" or "I'd rather have Jesus."
Wheaton College has preserved much of Billy's ministry on Billy Graham Center Archives | Wheaton. You can also find overviews of crusades by city. Here is the great Ethyl waters singing her signature song "His Eye is on the Sparrow" at the NYC Crusade of 1957. For months she humbly sang in the alto section of the choir. . Here's another one . Of course I can't leave out George Beverly Shea. From the NYC crusade, his first performance of "How Great Thou Art." in America: . WOW he had a great voice back then!! I actually heard him at the Louisville Crusade in Louisville in 1956 and went forward at the tender age of 7. Another great, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." .




This song was one of my Dad's favorites and we sang it at his funeral.

 

I agree, TV is a degrading influence on believers. Oh, you did not say that? I noticed. Jesus said our yes should mean yes and our no should mean no. Do you suppose it was on a TV show that I learned Stalin equivocated his way to power?

Then of course there is the idea that we should not exercise our liberty in Christ if the example we set might cause a sibling in Christ to stumble. And then there is that line about the fields are white with harvest and we need more workers.

Do I enjoy Bogie and Becall movies? Yes. Ditto for John Wayne and the Searchers. or October Sky or Secretariat. But how many movies do you see that open and close with scripture? The line is not one good apple freshens the whole barrel.

 

My personal solution was an Apple TV BOX where I have choices and can follow. What I like. I get better new, more old westerns and am free of modern paganism. That is the B
B B. Boose, Babes and Ball games. What a relief

 

Should Christians even go outside of their houses?
Are the Amish and Mennonites correct....world flight?
Is the burka modest apparel?
Are swimming pools wicked?
Is the beach Sodom and Gomorrah?
Should missionaries go to tribes who walk around naked?
Do you think that Jesus only spoke to modestly dressed prostitutes?

 

We gave up TV for several years. A minor inconvenience, but it turned out to be great for the kids. Without the constant commercialism and portrayal of the wisecracking kids constantly putting the dimwitted parents in their place, there is a pretty marked, observable difference between them and their friends. In retrospect, I'm glad we did it.

But now, we watch TV again. Other than re-runs of Burn Notice, classic movies, and football, all we watch are the old shows like Adam 12, Dragnet, Hogan's Heroes, etc, that they show on MEtv, AntennaTV, Decades, etc, and shows on RFD TV. UP TV also has some good shows.

 

In our house, we've always taught our children to evaluate media choices by asking themselves a series of four questions:

1. Does it pass the Philippians 4 test?

Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it commendable? Is there any excellence? Is there anything worthy of praise?


2. Does it pass the Galatians 5 test?

Does it exhibit, glorify, or incite the works of the flesh, which are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, either in thought or in deed?

Or does it exhibit, glorify, or encourage the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control?


3. Does it pass the 1 Corinthians 8 test?

Even if it's something God grants us the liberty to enjoy or engage in, would our doing it cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to sin or to stumble in their walk with Christ?


4. Is it an idol to you?

If it's something that failed the three tests above, would you give it up? If so, then what would your attitude be about giving it up? Would you be glad to give it up, knowing it doesn't glorify God, isn't conducive to growth in Christ, and could cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to sin or stumble in their walk with Christ?

Or would you give it up grudgingly or not give it up at all? If so, then it's an idol.