TV Viewing - Yes or No

(Note: Clicking the church name above will take you back to the home page,
and clicking the three crosses at the bottom will take you back to the top of the page.)

TV Viewing - Yes or No

#1556 0731 11P

The decision that every head of household must make concerning a television in the home, is a more important decision and a more serious responsibility, than it has ever been before. Television has changed over the years, but not for the good. As the return of Christ comes ever closer, Satan becomes ever more active, devious, and subtle with his methods and devices.

The increase of evil, wickedness, greed, violence, immorality, hatred, revenge, disrespect for parents and authority, and a host of other Satan-inspired actions and attitudes in the world is very obvious, and just parallels those same attitudes and wicked ways on television programming today. It is all leading to the judgment of God and the Great Tribulation.

Television in the home is a major decision, and the majority of homes have already made their decisions. With 98% having one or more television sets in their houses, it is obvious that just about every one has decided to accept television, regardless of the negative influence, or the spiritual harm it can cause on those in the home. Clearly: television viewing today, does not belong in a Christian home.

Thinking that newscasts, educational channels, sports’ programming, and documentaries would be acceptable, is to fall into the same trap 98% of America fell into. The issue is far more involved than just being selective of programming. The first issue is the huge waste of time that could have been used for much better things. Another issue is that television dictates what a person watches, and when they watch it; unless it is recorded, but then issue #1 still applies.

Television viewing always substitutes for something more profitable. Family discussions at the dinner table, outdoor activities, games, singing hymns, spending time with the children, praying and reading the Bible have to be postponed until later—if at all. Satan has made television to be so addictive, and to have such a magnetism that overrides everything else—including good judgment. The addictive nature of television should alert us to what it is doing; or the time it is wasting and robbing from us.

The main problem with television viewing is that the content of the programs is controlled by Satan-inspired producers. Even if the program is labeled educational, the viewer must guard against the lie of evolution, and watch it when they say to watch it. Even documentaries include commercials, short clips of offensive programs, and other objectionable images, or questionable themes.

Some try to control their viewing by using DVDs, or recorded material, so they can fast-forward any offensive material, or mute the audio, but all too often that effort is simply not made. There are just too many and too often to attempt to eliminate them. Even with the audio muted, the silent picture itself has the impact of 10,000 words! The shocking image is instantly burned into memory before any action can be taken to block it.

There are many threatening things to a believer today; some are apparent, and others are not—which makes them more dangerous. Television is an amazing invention, and it could be educational and instructive, but Satan has exploited the device to his own sinister end. What is seen with the eye, definitely affects the heart. Lustful images are constantly seen on television, which are indelibly etched on one’s mind, and called up by the devil when we least want it.

The lust of the eye is fed by TV. 1 John 2:15-17 ”Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Most people complain of the violence, profanity, and immorality shown on television, but they have no intention of getting rid of the TV. Instead of making the decision to remove it, most homes decide to purchase a second, third, or fourth set in a futile attempt to have some peace in the home by avoiding the arguments that arise from who watches what program. Instead of controlling the device, the device controls the person. It is taking the proverbial path of least resistance, or the easiest way out, of a serious issue facing households today.

TV is not a low-cost form of entertainment, but is the most costly one in terms spiritual harm, wasted time, and lost opportunities. Most people forget that when they choose to watch TV, they are choosing not to do something far more worthwhile. A very high price is paid, when a television is allowed in the home.

Satan has taken control of the device, and he has corrupted it for his evil purposes, like he has everything else. Children, teens, and young people are the main groups influenced by television programming—which subjects them to unscriptural attitudes, immoral lifestyles, disrespect for authority, and hearing abusive language—on a continuing basis. Nothing has ever equaled TV for destroying the morality of the world.

While television producers and programming executives must accept responsibility for their part in the moral decline of America, no one is forced to have a television—it was, and remains, their own free-will choice to accept it, or to reject it. The large majority has already said Yes.

The majority of programs contain something that is objectionable, unscriptural, or offensive to the believer in Christ, and there is in addition, thousands of medical or insurance commercials, movie trailers, and a multitude of other inserts that are offensive to a believer. Most parents would never take their children to a nightclub, but the same entertainment and atmosphere is invited into the home when television is accepted.

If our decision is to follow God’s will and Word Psalm 101:2 “I will behave myself wisely;” and 3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes [I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar]: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me,” then rejecting the use of a television is the first step.

We could list a number of reasons for not having a television. 1. Agreeing with TV viewing means we are willing to tolerate much evil for a little good. 2. Television lowers our resistance to violence. 3. Television viewing gives constant access to the very low moral standards of the world. 4. Television makes us callous and indifferent to suffering. 5. Television allows worldly and immoral people into the home who otherwise would not be invited.

Television viewing devours our most precious resource—time. Psalm 90:12 ”Teach us to number our days [to make the most of our time], that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Television devours our prime time—it was a major victory for the devil, because he does not want us to spend that time with the children.

The apostle says James 4:4 “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with [hatred toward] God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Television today consistently shows the attitudes and lifestyles of a rebellious and unbelieving world. Most programming includes revenge, violence, fights, murder, profanity, greed, pride, and disrespect for authority. The world’s very low standard of morality is a continuing theme on television. The world wants that; so the executives just produce what the viewers want.

God reminds us Psalm 106:35 that the Israelites “mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.” Television viewing has us mingling with the world, and in a very short time, we see the children adopting worldly ways, language, and attitudes. Small children mimic popular television personalities, film stars, or sports figures in their worldly ways, dress, and attitudes.

Our prime concern is to Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” If we love God with all our heart, then His will must be first in our home. Our thoughts, our desires, and our time is to be focused on His Word. “I will behave myself wisely. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” Psalm 101:2-3. “Be imitators of God” Ephesians 5:1—not imitators of the world.

Ephesians 5:2-4 “And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of [fornication] immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”

Television programs today not only hint of immorality, but are explicit and offensive. A steady stream of immorality, revenge, violence, hate, and evil are major themes on shows today. Outright greed, obscenity, double-meaning jokes, and every other form of depravity that mocks God, are commonly seen and heard. Ephesians 5:15-16 “Be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity [redeeming the time], because the days are evil.”

These are evil days indeed, and allowing a television into the home invites all the evil of the world right into our living room—by choice. Satan and his agents are permitted to come in and speak whatever they wish in our home. 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not deceive yourselves: ‘Evil companionships corrupt good morals.’" The worst companions possible are invited into the home by choice.

Since the 1940s, when TV sets first made their appearance, America, and soon the world, would have to make a decision on how to deal with this device. By 1960, there was a serious decline in church attendance, as services had to compete with prime-time television. America had already decided!

The decision to accept, or to reject, television in the home, still faces every household today. Opinions on television viewing are many and varied, but believers in Christ would have to agree that a television will drastically decrease the spiritual atmosphere of the home—because the overall message of television programming and commercials today, is decided by Satan-inspired executives who have no time for God and do not believe in the One He has sent John 6:29.

We should ask ourselves that if Jesus came to our house, would we invite Him in to join us in watching our TV program, or would we hide it in a closet? We cannot change the decisions we made in the past, but we can make scriptural ones that will impact our future. The issue at hand is how we finish the Christian race. 1 Corinthians 9:24 ”In a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize.” TV viewing could never help us get the prize—circle No!

†††