Secular Entertainment

Krillin · May 3, 2013

I know I've posted a lot lately. But thoughts keep popping up. I enjoy a lot of secular entertainment. Some of which is very inappropriate. For example, the Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows. Right now I have the video game "Mass Effect" Paused. While this game does not shove violence in your face, there is combat involved (as well as some sexuality at rare points in the game). My Spotify playlist is full of heavy metal that, honestly, I don't know if its appropriate or not because I can't actually understand what they are saying...

-If your mind is not actually focused on the aspects of the things that would make a movie or game bad then does it matter? When playing a game, the enjoyment does not come from actually causing someone pain or taking a life (at least it shouldn't). It is the act of overcoming an obstacle and seeing your efforts rewarded that make the experience satisfying.

-What makes the works of Christian writers like Tolkien and Lewis acceptable? Their works contain violence, alcohol (Hobbits seem to love it), and sorcery.

-Assuming that something secular contains absolutely nothing that God does not speak against, is it ok to take part in it even though there is no spiritual value in it?

Honestly, I wouldn't argue with anyone who claimed these things to be wrong. Perhaps I'm just frightened and overwhelmed. I don't actually want to give up the things I enjoy. But I am growing very close to God and I don't want him to have to dig me back out of where he found me. I'm finding this significantly more difficult to deal with than with my lust issues were...

BFine · May 3, 2013

The more intimate you get with God, the less of a hold the secular
has on you.

Spunkn · May 3, 2013

We have this fear, that the more we grow closer to God, the more things we'll lose. Life will become less fun, and boring, and we'll lose the things we used to do because it's the "good Christian" thing to do.

But that's not how God works. The closer you get to Him, the more that you'll replace the old stuff with better, and the more you'll enjoy good things that are healthy for your soul.

Like you, I used to have a lot of not so good rock music, lots of bad lyrics, some video games that weren't so good. TV shows / movies I shouldn't be watching. I'm finding more and more I'm more picky about what music I listen to, and about what I watch and play. But I take more enjoyment in listening to Christian music and things like that. So it's not that you have less enjoyment, it just changes to other things.

Peripatetic · May 3, 2013

BFine said:
The more intimate you get with God, the less of a hold the secular
has on you.

And interestingly, the closer we are to God, the more freedom we have with secular things too. It can be hard to identify right, wrong, or just on the edge.

What I've found is that the more I focus on knowing God and loving other people, the less those questions haunt me. I did eliminate or reduce a few secular things where there was conviction. But I still enjoy quite a few secular hobbies too... without the guilt and stress.

thesunisout · May 4, 2013

SlenderMan said:
I know I've posted a lot lately. But thoughts keep popping up. I enjoy a lot of secular entertainment. Some of which is very inappropriate. For example, the Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows. Right now I have the video game "Mass Effect" Paused. While this game does not shove violence in your face, there is combat involved (as well as some sexuality at rare points in the game). My Spotify playlist is full of heavy metal that, honestly, I don't know if its appropriate or not because I can't actually understand what they are saying...

-If your mind is not actually focused on the aspects of the things that would make a movie or game bad then does it matter? When playing a game, the enjoyment does not come from actually causing someone pain or taking a life (at least it shouldn't). It is the act of overcoming an obstacle and seeing your efforts rewarded that make the experience satisfying.

-What makes the works of Christian writers like Tolkien and Lewis acceptable? Their works contain violence, alcohol (Hobbits seem to love it), and sorcery.

-Assuming that something secular contains absolutely nothing that God does not speak against, is it ok to take part in it even though there is no spiritual value in it?

Honestly, I wouldn't argue with anyone who claimed these things to be wrong. Perhaps I'm just frightened and overwhelmed. I don't actually want to give up the things I enjoy. But I am growing very close to God and I don't want him to have to dig me back out of where he found me. I'm finding this significantly more difficult to deal with than with my lust issues were...

Here is a quick (but not definitive) guide to figure out what is appropriate:

Does it glorify sin?

Does it make the bad good and/or the good bad?

Do you get a check in your spirit when you partake in it?

If you can say yes to any of those questions, chuck it and don't look back Don't rationalize it by comparing it to JRR Tolkien or Narnia. The holiness of God is the standard by which we must measure everything.

A good question to ask is..if someone baked you a batch of delicious cookies but you knew there were a few pinches of rat poison in them, would you eat them? It's the same thing with sin and our entertainment. There are spiritual connotations to everything we consume, and a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

I suggest you fast from these things you have questions about to gain some perspective, and pray and seek God during that time. He will show you what He expects of you (I think that's why you're here, asking, because He already has)

strelok0017 · May 4, 2013

Mass Effect is very wrong. You need repent of worldliness. I am telling you this not just because of the Scriptures; they are enough, but regarding Mass Effect, the moment I stopped playing video games I started having withdrawals and nightmares and worse. If the devil can't do anything else he will try to build a wall of worldliness around your heart and make you insensitive to the Lord. Please, run from those games as if they were the gates of hell.

Krillin · May 4, 2013

Giving up games is likely going to be the most difficult thing i've ever done...

forGod1 · May 4, 2013

video games.. you know there are Christian-friendly games.. like RPGs, etc. Just avoid violence and you should be fine. Listening to anything but Christian music will start rotting your mind.. i wouldnt try it buddy. peace

George Jones, Johnny Cash, etc. its not so bad.. lots of rock bands like the ones you listed.. google will redeem your soul lol

if you like rap music, Lecrae is one of the best rappers of all time.. even if you made him secular.

Krillin · May 4, 2013

forGod1 said:
video games.. you know there are Christian-friendly games.. like RPGs, etc. Just avoid violence and you should be fine. Listening to anything but Christian music will start rotting your mind.. i wouldnt try it buddy. peace

George Jones, Johnny Cash, etc. its not so bad.. lots of rock bands like the ones you listed.. google will redeem your soul lol if you like rap music, Lecrae is one of the best rappers of all time.. even if you made him secular.

Could you feel me in on some christian-friendly games?

Iosias · May 4, 2013

What is wrong with secular entertainment? Sure certain aspects we will want to avoid but there is nothing wrong with it per se.

strelok0017 · May 4, 2013

SlenderMan said:
Giving up games is likely going to be the most difficult thing i've ever done...

There can be no other reason but this: you really don't believe what Jesus said and that is that whoever comes to Him will never thirst. Be sober; idolaters do not enter the kingdom. That often sobers me up. Surrender to God, don't live for yourself and don't believe the flesh when it groans and moans. In Christ you will be crucified to the world if you repent and believe. Then as you surrender yourself daily to Him, He will destroy your idols and lead you to His kingdom safely and in the meantime you get to represent Him and tell the world what has the Lord done for you. That's life. Video games are an empty plate. Don't buy it, trust in Christ.

thesunisout · May 4, 2013

SlenderMan said:
Giving up games is likely going to be the most difficult thing i've ever done...

Resolve in your heart that this is what you want to do and the Holy Spirit will help you accomplish it. He will empower you to change. Picture yourself as a cup, and right now it is filled up with the things of this world..God wants to pour those things out so He can pour Himself in. What you will receive from God is far better than what you are turning away from; you are giving up rubbish to gain Christ. Just stay in prayer about it and immerse yourself in the things of God; read His word and dedicate each day to doing the things that please Him. You won't think about games anymore once you start to see how much better it is to have more of Him in their place.

strelok0017 · May 4, 2013

The world is a pit, given it's ability to connect us to God. It promises nourishment and gives empty reservoirs. It promises joy and peace but it always leaves you hungry and dry and miserable. It promises pleasure but it gives misery and gloom. It's like an expensive restaurant that gives you "luxurious food" but you always leave hungry. I know because I was under the dominion of games and unfortunately learned the hard way to let them go. Summation is this: leave your ways and present your body and mind and soul to God. In other words, repent and believe. No other way to escape perdition and hell and to have the fullness of life. If you don't believe that games are a demonic danger to you, see 1 John chapter 2 and meditate on the part where it says "those who love the world have no love of the Father in them". I don't want to be mean, I know what you're going through. I was under the same tyranny of addiction to games and it is the worst lord I could have (apart from myself). Flee it as you would flee fornication!

susyan · May 4, 2013

Perhaps the fact that you bring it up, shows the Holy Spirit convicting your heart to part ways with the secular and to keep your garments white, so that the Holy Spirit can present you clean and ready for Christ's coming (wedding feast).

Krillin · May 4, 2013

strelok0017 said:
The world is a pit, given it's ability to connect us to God. It promises nourishment and gives empty reservoirs. It promises joy and peace but it always leaves you hungry and dry and miserable. It promises pleasure but it gives misery and gloom. It's like an expensive restaurant that gives you "luxurious food" but you always leave hungry. I know because I was under the dominion of games and unfortunately learned the hard way to let them go. Summation is this: leave your ways and present your body and mind and soul to God. In other words, repent and believe. No other way to escape perdition and hell and to have the fullness of life. If you don't believe that games are a demonic danger to you, see 1 John chapter 2 and meditate on the part where it says "those who love the world have no love of the Father in them". I don't want to be mean, I know what you're going through. I was under the same tyranny of addiction to games and it is the worst lord I could have (apart from myself). Flee it as you would flee fornication!

I know you are trying to help. I appreciate your words immensely.

TheyCallMeDave · May 4, 2013

SlenderMan said:
I know I've posted a lot lately. But thoughts keep popping up. I enjoy a lot of secular entertainment. Some of which is very inappropriate. For example, the Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows. Right now I have the video game "Mass Effect" Paused. While this game does not shove violence in your face, there is combat involved (as well as some sexuality at rare points in the game). My Spotify playlist is full of heavy metal that, honestly, I don't know if its appropriate or not because I can't actually understand what they are saying...

-If your mind is not actually focused on the aspects of the things that would make a movie or game bad then does it matter? When playing a game, the enjoyment does not come from actually causing someone pain or taking a life (at least it shouldn't). It is the act of overcoming an obstacle and seeing your efforts rewarded that make the experience satisfying.

-What makes the works of Christian writers like Tolkien and Lewis acceptable? Their works contain violence, alcohol (Hobbits seem to love it), and sorcery.

-Assuming that something secular contains absolutely nothing that God does not speak against, is it ok to take part in it even though there is no spiritual value in it?

Honestly, I wouldn't argue with anyone who claimed these things to be wrong. Perhaps I'm just frightened and overwhelmed. I don't actually want to give up the things I enjoy. But I am growing very close to God and I don't want him to have to dig me back out of where he found me. I'm finding this significantly more difficult to deal with than with my lust issues were...

Few questions for you :

1. Are you going to allow the pleasure you receive from ungodly entertainment to trump the kind of life God has for you to live out ?

2. Have you considered Gods feelings about watching movies that slander his name and glorify the very things CHrist your Saviour died for ?

3. Are you aware that once youre saved by Christ, that the evidence is a turning away from the things of the World, for, you cant love the World and God at the same time.

4. As we progess in our Christian Walk, there should be a moving closer and closer to obedience to Christ ; we can thwart that progress if we choose to.

5. The making of a truly devoted Follower of Christ, is one whereby we sacrifice what WE want and instead live for what God wants being Ambassadors for him.

6. Do you feel convicted when yuou hear Christs name / Gods name being pulled the mud...or when you view inappropriate contentographic images in a movie ? If not, why would you suppose you don't ?

7. Are you really looking forward to one day standing before God and hearing him say to you : 'Well done, good and faithful Servant ?' .

8. Are you WILLING to give it up , or has it become a bondage thing in your life which essentially is the same as an Idol ?

These are some questions to consider and they are questions we must all give answer to if we profess to love CHrist and desire to live for him.

Khasilooluv · May 6, 2013

I find if it doesn't interfere with you walk with God then you are fine. If it does however give it up. I found that certain accepts in my life (rap music, partying, certain friendships) I had let go because otherwise I couldn't improved my walk. Now for the moment I'm fine but if God asked my to let go of my fav TV show or something who would I be to disobey him.

strelok0017 · May 6, 2013

They do interfere according to 1 John chapter 2. Leave the world and if you are thirsty, come to Christ!

Khasilooluv · May 6, 2013

strelok0017 said:
They do interfere according to 1 John chapter 2. Leave the world and if you are thirsty, come to Christ!

I don't see the verse like you see it I'm afraid. The way I read it is if you truly love Christ (which I do) then you will give up worldly things. Which I have said I would.... I don't see it as "music, TV shows and games interfere".

As long as I pray daily, read my bible, and do as God wants me to do and these worldly things do not come between that I don't see a problem.

Philpy1976 · May 6, 2013

So, is chess bad too?

The pieces represent actually people and the taking of pieces represents killing the

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