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Note: this post is not aimed at those very rare people who only use their television for pure and godly viewing. (If that is even possible?) Most all people are daily opening their homes and minds to the carnality of the world's fallen ways via television and that is who this post is for.
In our experience as Christ followers we have found one of the most contested issues today is the question of should a follower of Jesus have television in their home? While it may seem like a small or silly matter to most in the world (since they are so common) as you go deeper into God's Word you will realize it is not a small matter at all. If we respect and honor the Lord and His Word with its message to us; we will use our biblical discernment skills and glean all that it teaches us about this subject. Then if we really are serious about our faith we will apply it for His glory and be fully obedient in all that we do in our daily lives. We must follow the Lord's way, not our own.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
First, let me admit that I have much personal experience on this topic. I was a television addict most of my life. I was raised on watching kids cartoons, silly sitcoms and G rated westerns which quickly switched in my teenage years to worldly idol sporting events, carnal lewd talk shows and sex or violent riddled movies. Thankfully my life was transformed by God's Spirit about when I was born again. (John 3:3) Then as I poured myself into God's Word, it didn't take long for me to see that the television was NOT compatible for a holy person now serving Christ. In taking on this topic one must not say "well it is all over and everyone has a television these days". Nor can we use the excuse that "I don't watch it very much or I am not addicted to it". None of these arguments will stand up to holy scripture as we will see. Let us show you why we see from scripture that most all people's television watching is not consistent with God's Character, nature or His Word.
Why would we say that television is very questionable for a Christ follower you may ask? First; let's start with what is a true believer to be about in their daily life?
Jesus said we are to live by every word out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 and He also said we are to strive to be perfect as the Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48
This means we take all of God's Word and we are to live by it and strive (because He died for us) to live a life of perfection, purity and honor Him in all of our ways. So does what your watching on television really help you in that and honor a Holy God? Using more of God's Word let us see how we are instructed to live for the Lord...
Peter told us to be holy (set up and special for God) in all of our conduct. 1 Peter 1:15
Paul said we are to take every thought captive for Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
John said do not love the things of this world 1 John 2:15
James said friendship with the world is enmity with God James 4:4
Does your connection to a television make you closer to God or more connected to this fallen world and its ways?
And we know that bible also tells us to:
test everything and hold fast to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
to focus on things above Colossians 3:2
to focus on whatever is pure and good and true and noble Philippians 4:8
to not conform to this present world Romans 12:2
Most people, if they are honest, will admit that television is designed to do one thing and one thing only and that is to entertain and feed a person's flesh.
God's Word says: those in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
It teases with flashy commercials, food, sex, alcohol, material goods, fashions, immodesty often with violence and worldviews that oppose the Creator God. No doubt it feeds our sinful nature.
Note: many have said that television is really being used to re-program and deceive millions of people in various ways via its technology and ungodly messages. The evidence to back this up is indeed out there if you care to look for it. Beware of this man made offering will you?
Sadly many so called believers will say they just don't see the problem with their television viewing. We have to wonder are they really looking at the Holy Word for discernment and answers or at their hearts desires?
Jesus said you will know His people by their fruits. Matthew 7:20
What kind of godly fruit is putting your face before the world's offerings which is God's enemy?
Psalm 101:3 says this:
I will not put any evil thing before my eyes
Now that we have shown you that television offers very little in the way of good or godliness, how about the time that is wasted in front of a television?
Paul tells us to redeem the time in Ephesians 5:16
What could you be using that time in front of the television for?
How about studying the Word of God? Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study to show yourself approved and Peter reminded us in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to give answer for the hope that lies within you. If God's spirit is truly in you; the fruit of that will be a pure life and one that is craving His Word not man's TV broadcasts.
Now many will say "well the internet can be just as bad" and we would agree. It must be controlled and sinful areas totally avoided. But it can be used for a great tool of good for buying goods, food, research in the Word, proclaiming the gospel truth and for reaching out in ministry efforts via websites or email. That is what we use it for and nothing else.
If you're honest, you will admit the television offers little in this area and is really all about entertaining ones self with man's folly which Gods Word never tells us to do. (Jesus went out in nature to rest or restore His spirit and commune with the Father and it is clear He would reject what television offers.)
The point is this: when a person is truly made new in Christ the old ways are gone and all things become new. They now will desire to shed the old life for a "new one" putting away that which is opposed to what God would desire for one's life.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
If you are going to claim a new and eternal life in Him you will be a hypocrite unless you clean house of ALL that caused Jesus to die on the cross which is your sinful ways.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2
My counsel to you would be to toss it out today and rearrange your life with God's goodness at the center of your life and not carnal broadcasts of man. If tossing out your television seems radical to you; just look at what Jesus said to do about those things that may temp us to sin: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29
News flash: Christ never said the life of following Him would be easy did He?
The next time you are sitting there and soaking in some of television's swill and sin, ask yourself this:
did Jesus the Creator of the Universe really come to earth, live a perfect life and cruelly die on a Roman cross so that you could be a couch potato filling your mind with sinful images that nailed him there?
We pray you will desire a better and more obedient and holy way of life for yourself... if you claim His Mighty name!
www.dontperish.com
Note: this post is not aimed at those very rare people who only use their television for pure and godly viewing. (If that is even possible?) Most all people are daily opening their homes and minds to the carnality of the world's fallen ways via television and that is who this post is for.
In our experience as Christ followers we have found one of the most contested issues today is the question of should a follower of Jesus have television in their home? While it may seem like a small or silly matter to most in the world (since they are so common) as you go deeper into God's Word you will realize it is not a small matter at all. If we respect and honor the Lord and His Word with its message to us; we will use our biblical discernment skills and glean all that it teaches us about this subject. Then if we really are serious about our faith we will apply it for His glory and be fully obedient in all that we do in our daily lives. We must follow the Lord's way, not our own.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
First, let me admit that I have much personal experience on this topic. I was a television addict most of my life. I was raised on watching kids cartoons, silly sitcoms and G rated westerns which quickly switched in my teenage years to worldly idol sporting events, carnal lewd talk shows and sex or violent riddled movies. Thankfully my life was transformed by God's Spirit about when I was born again. (John 3:3) Then as I poured myself into God's Word, it didn't take long for me to see that the television was NOT compatible for a holy person now serving Christ. In taking on this topic one must not say "well it is all over and everyone has a television these days". Nor can we use the excuse that "I don't watch it very much or I am not addicted to it". None of these arguments will stand up to holy scripture as we will see. Let us show you why we see from scripture that most all people's television watching is not consistent with God's Character, nature or His Word.
Why would we say that television is very questionable for a Christ follower you may ask? First; let's start with what is a true believer to be about in their daily life?
Jesus said we are to live by every word out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 and He also said we are to strive to be perfect as the Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48
This means we take all of God's Word and we are to live by it and strive (because He died for us) to live a life of perfection, purity and honor Him in all of our ways. So does what your watching on television really help you in that and honor a Holy God? Using more of God's Word let us see how we are instructed to live for the Lord...
Peter told us to be holy (set up and special for God) in all of our conduct. 1 Peter 1:15
Paul said we are to take every thought captive for Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
John said do not love the things of this world 1 John 2:15
James said friendship with the world is enmity with God James 4:4
Does your connection to a television make you closer to God or more connected to this fallen world and its ways?
And we know that bible also tells us to:
test everything and hold fast to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
to focus on things above Colossians 3:2
to focus on whatever is pure and good and true and noble Philippians 4:8
to not conform to this present world Romans 12:2
Most people, if they are honest, will admit that television is designed to do one thing and one thing only and that is to entertain and feed a person's flesh.
God's Word says: those in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
It teases with flashy commercials, food, sex, alcohol, material goods, fashions, immodesty often with violence and worldviews that oppose the Creator God. No doubt it feeds our sinful nature.
Note: many have said that television is really being used to re-program and deceive millions of people in various ways via its technology and ungodly messages. The evidence to back this up is indeed out there if you care to look for it. Beware of this man made offering will you?
Sadly many so called believers will say they just don't see the problem with their television viewing. We have to wonder are they really looking at the Holy Word for discernment and answers or at their hearts desires?
Jesus said you will know His people by their fruits. Matthew 7:20
What kind of godly fruit is putting your face before the world's offerings which is God's enemy?
Psalm 101:3 says this:
I will not put any evil thing before my eyes
Now that we have shown you that television offers very little in the way of good or godliness, how about the time that is wasted in front of a television?
Paul tells us to redeem the time in Ephesians 5:16
What could you be using that time in front of the television for?
How about studying the Word of God? Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study to show yourself approved and Peter reminded us in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to give answer for the hope that lies within you. If God's spirit is truly in you; the fruit of that will be a pure life and one that is craving His Word not man's TV broadcasts.
Now many will say "well the internet can be just as bad" and we would agree. It must be controlled and sinful areas totally avoided. But it can be used for a great tool of good for buying goods, food, research in the Word, proclaiming the gospel truth and for reaching out in ministry efforts via websites or email. That is what we use it for and nothing else.
If you're honest, you will admit the television offers little in this area and is really all about entertaining ones self with man's folly which Gods Word never tells us to do. (Jesus went out in nature to rest or restore His spirit and commune with the Father and it is clear He would reject what television offers.)
The point is this: when a person is truly made new in Christ the old ways are gone and all things become new. They now will desire to shed the old life for a "new one" putting away that which is opposed to what God would desire for one's life.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
If you are going to claim a new and eternal life in Him you will be a hypocrite unless you clean house of ALL that caused Jesus to die on the cross which is your sinful ways.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2
My counsel to you would be to toss it out today and rearrange your life with God's goodness at the center of your life and not carnal broadcasts of man. If tossing out your television seems radical to you; just look at what Jesus said to do about those things that may temp us to sin: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29
News flash: Christ never said the life of following Him would be easy did He?
The next time you are sitting there and soaking in some of television's swill and sin, ask yourself this:
did Jesus the Creator of the Universe really come to earth, live a perfect life and cruelly die on a Roman cross so that you could be a couch potato filling your mind with sinful images that nailed him there?
We pray you will desire a better and more obedient and holy way of life for yourself... if you claim His Mighty name!
www.dontperish.com