CHOOSING WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT
“Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
INTRODUCTION :
Jesus offers us an abundant and joyful life, yet in our search for enjoyment and relaxation we often unthinkingly accept the world’s idea of fun. The result is that we harm ourselves and our relationship with the Lord.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
The above verses indicate that Jesus is interested in our spirit being joyful and happy in the presence of God always while on the other hand, the devil is Mr. kill-joy. Therefore, whatever entertainment or fun we that dampens our spirit or does not excite our spirit towards fellowship with the Holy Spirit is probably not good for us. A good guideline is to only engage in activities of which Jesus would approve; as John wrote: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).
Much of the entertainment and literature in our society is ungodly. This doesn't only apply to obvious material such as pornography. It also applies to many regular television shows and movies, books, magazines and music.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential dangers from secular entertainment:
• We can accept a secular picture of the world.
Much entertainment presents a false or incomplete picture of reality which promotes the ideology of success without God. Even if there are no direct negative references to God, Jesus or Christianity, the picture of the world we expose ourselves to may ignore the most important element of truth, that is God consciousness. If the main thing we fill our minds with are these godless versions of reality, we can come to see relationship with God as irrelevant to human endeavours and "religion" as only belonging in church.
• We learn lessons that rarely work out in real life.
If you watch television sitcoms, movies or pornography, you are liable to internalize a false picture of human relationships. For example, if you watch soap operas, you may become upset because your spouse does not seem as romantic or sexy as the actors and actresses.
• We often are not truly refreshed.
Think of the many occasions when you sit up late spending hours every night watching some secular television shows thinking you needed to relax and unwind. When you were done watching, were you truly relaxed, do you feel truly educated or drawn closer to your wife, children or nearer to God? Any program that does not produce these results in you is not worth your time.
• We can become cynical.
We can develop disrespect for pastors or Christianity since few movies or television shows portray Christians or pastors in a positive light. Pastors and evangelists often are shown as greedy, deceptive, lacking in character etc. Even though this is a true reality of our time, as a genuine Christianity, it should gives us concern and sorrow rather than fun.
• We can develop impure sexual thoughts or lust.
The sexuality in most secular entertainment--and I mean most everyday entertainment, not just pornography--portrays sex in a dreadful way. It presents sex simply as an instinctive drive, or it makes adultery and other sexual sins appear romantic and wonderful. When you expose yourself to these messages, your thoughts about sex are likely to become more like the world’s and less like God’s. You may fantasize about sexual sins. If you are married, you may become dissatisfied with the way your spouse makes love.
• We can learn to accept ungodly violence as okay.
In some instances, violence has an appropriate role in movies and television shows. But the violent scenes we usually see are brutal, sadistic and ungodly. If we aren't careful, we can find our children or even ourselves accepting onscreen sinful violence.
• We can become materialistic.
Most advertising has one purpose: to make you think you must buy some particular thing to be happy. Movies and TV shows often feature luxurious living and give the message that happiness comes from spending lots of money and living in luxury
TO AVOID HARMFUL ENTERTAINMENT:
• Evaluate what you let into your spirit.
Do not "fool" yourself or allow yourself to be careless. Keep your spiritual eyes open. Do not put vile things before your eyes. Do not poison yourself.
“I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me” (Psalm 101:3).
• Do not violate the Bible or your conscience.
Paul gave timeless guidelines when he wrote:
Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith (1 Timothy 1:18-19).
• Do not blindly follow society’s standards.
We sometimes watch questionable movies or listen to questionable music, thinking that since "everybody" else is listening or watching, it must be okay. Or we think something is acceptable simply because it is not as bad as something else.
• Be careful of excessive rationalizations.
Be honest with yourself. Would God want you to watch that movie or television show? How does it really affect you? Let’s look at two common rationalizations.
"I filter out the bad parts."
This can be true to a degree, but repetitive exposure usually affects us. Further, the reason we watch or read questionable material often is because we want to enjoy things that we should not enjoy.
"Christian media sometimes gets boring."
If you are bored with Christian TV or radio shows, don't let that be an excuse to watch or listen to unprofitable things. There are lots of other ways to spend your time. This is not to say we must watch only programs that are overtly Christian. Some secular materials can be educational, entertaining or uplifting. But we must carefully evaluate what we do for recreation and entertainment, and how these activities affect us.
Enjoy healthy activities and entertainment.
When you choose entertainment activities, identify those that are both fun and edifying. The following is a short list of ideas. Check those that you would enjoy doing:
Make a great meal and share it with friends.
Listen to inspiring radio shows.
Visit with friends.
Tell clean jokes.
Go to a good musical or play.
Listen to uplifting music.
Go backpacking or climb a mountain.
Play tennis, golf or another sport.
Sing at home.
Join a choir.
Read Christian magazines.
Study the Bible.
Watch a good movie.
Read Christian novels or other good books.
Read biographies.
Listen to an orchestra.
Grow a garden.
Write letters.
Start a collection or develop a hobby.
Caution: However, a very important caution is; Do not spend too many hours on entertainment.
When we spend too much time watching television, surfing the Internet or engaging in sports or other activities, we often neglect our family and friends, and our relationships suffer._
Also, we might not be fulfilling God’s purpose for us. He wants us to develop our gifts and to reach out and minister to others. We are called to make a difference in this world, not merely to be spectators.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Be alert if you read or watch dangerous material.
There may be times when it is appropriate to expose yourself to material that has ungodly elements. For example: studying in school, reading job-related material, watching plays, reading "great literature" or staying aware of current events, trends or thoughts.
When you do any of these things, you need God to help you respond in a proper manner. Ask him to protect your spirit and help you not accept ungodly actions, attitudes or vocabulary as being okay.
Pray for wisdom and balance.
Recreation is fine if it is part of a balanced life, but if you mainly live to have fun, you are missing out on God’s purpose for your life and the joy that comes from serving God and helping others. Set your mind on things above.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2).
Personal Application: Evaluate what you do for entertainment.
Would Jesus enjoy what I enjoy? Yes/No
Would Jesus find the same jokes funny? Yes/No
Would Jesus read or watch the same things I do? Yes/No
Would Jesus listen to the same music? Yes/No
Would Jesus do the same things I do? Yes/No
What changes do you think God would like you to make in what you do or watch for entertainment?
What changes do you think God would like you to make in how much time you spend on entertainment?
Thank you very much for your time. hope you enjoyed reading. drop me your comment if you may.
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