I got this from this website
Jesus-is-Lord.com
I agree with everything written
Christian, do you have a television in your home?
You do? Why?
Because there are some good, informative programmes on, and some great comedies.
Because we got one as a wedding present, and if we hadn't, hubby would have gone and bought one.
If Jesus came back tonight, do you think He would be happy to find His army staring glassy-eyed at some flesh-pleasing trash being pumped out of Hollywood into the minds of His soldiers?
If Jesus came back tonight do you think he'd be happy to find his children sitting in front of computer screens, criticising one another and sitting in judgement on those who don't behave as they do?
Have you ever stopped to think about that thing that you stare at night after night, day after day, year after year?
Yes.
I don't watch it as often as those words suggest though.
Did you spend more time on your television today than you did on your knees or reading your Bible?
Not so far.
Do you allow your children to sit hour after hour, day after day, year after year in front of a boob tube?
No - don't have children.
Would you invite Satan to come into your home, sit down in your living room, talk, tell jokes, show evil pictures for hour after hour to your wife and children?
I don't have a wife and children.
Satan is capable of coming into any home, and doesn't wait to be invited.
Would you invite a sex pervert into your living room to brag to your family about his or her "alternate lifestyle"? Would you let a drug-pusher come into your home and give everyone in your household a drug that would dull their mind, make you forget God, make you feel nice and happy and stupid, day after day, year after year?
Obviously not.
But as I don't watch sex, inappropriate content or drugs on TV - and should there be some on, I have the discernment not to go out and indulge in drug filled orgies as a result - there's not a problem.
The stupidity comes from articles suggesting that if Christians see something negative on tv they are going to "go and do likewise", or immediately adopt the standards and practices shown.
Isn't that what many Christians do [by watching mindless television]?
No.
If statistics are true (and every one knows they lie), then 97% of American homes have a television in them.
That's fine; I'm British.
What does God say about it?
Don't know - show me where the word television is in Scripture and I'm willing to learn.
In the second epistle of John, verses 9-11, we read:
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
The Word of God tells us to not invite someone into our house who abideth not in the doctrine of Christ.
I don't invite them into my house.
I turn on a tv set which is showing a - usually pre-recorded - programme made by actors. If it interests me, I watch it. If it doesn't, if someone comes to visit or I have something else to do; I turn it off.
Do you think that those actors and producers out in Hollywood love the Lord and abide in His doctrines?
Some may do.
Some people become Christians and then stay in the job/career they're already in so they can witness in that environment. Cliff Richard wanted to be ordained when he became a Christian but felt, or was told, that he could be a witness for Christ where he was. The pop world is notorious for drugs, alcohol, easy marriages and people having affairs - Cliff has been a Christian example in that industry for years.
It's not the kind of environment you want to bring into your living room everyday. In fact, those Hollywood people who pump out their programs into your household hate the Lord and despise His doctrines and blasphemously mock Him.
Just as well I don't watch any programmes made in Hollywood then.
Do you think that the sponsors of television programs tell you the truth in their advertising?
They have to tell the truth about their product, otherwise they'd be fined by the advertising commission, or whatever it's called, for false representation. At least, that's how it is in the UK.
They may be telling the truth, as they see it, about some of their claims - i.e this car will make you look cool and able to attract women. They are being paid to advertise a product and whoever produced that product wants you to think it is the best.
You don't? Then why do you sit there listening to LIES?
I don't.
Adverts are there so you can make a cup of tea.
The Law of God tells us that we should not covet. Now what do you suppose is the purpose of ALL advertising you see on tv?
It is to encourage us to buy a particular brand of product, or go to a certain shop, garage or insurance firm, rather than shop around and look for what you want.
That is not the same as coveting.
Some of us need to buy clothes and food because we have an interest in being warm and staying alive.
Is it to make you content with the things that God has blessed you with?
Actually, some of it does.
I see how much some women spend on make up, designer clothes or fine wines and think "thank goodness I don't wear make up or drink."
Does it make you want to sell ALL
No. But as the Lord has not commanded us all to do that anyway, it's not a problem.
Is your tv a "good thing"? Do you think that if the Lord Jesus were here on earth today, He would sit and watch the things you watch?
Jesus ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners - so possibly.
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, the Bible says:
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...
I only touch the tv when I'm dusting it.
"Well, what about Christian programming?" I hear you say.
Well, what about it? Is it really Christian?
Some of it is. Not only that, it's very informative.
People have made documentaries about the history of the Bible, Bible characters and archaeological finds. They have spent time and money that most of us could never afford to spend on matters of the Christian faith.
Sure, some may do it with the attitude "did this really happen?" and their motive may be to mock. But the Lord can use anything to speak to someone, and I suspect that most people don't watch a programme and unthinkingly believe all that is presented; they think about it for themselves. It is also a talking point.
When I was at school the programme "Jesus of Nazareth" was shown over several weeks - about 2 hours a night. What is the likelihood of non Christian teenage girls sitting still for 2 hours watching a programme about Jesus? Yet many in my class did - and we talked about it the next day.
"Well, what about the news? How am I supposed to know what's going on in the world if I don't watch the 6 o'clock news?" you say.
Friend, do you really think that the 20 minutes of non-advertisement time in the 6 o'clock news is pure and objective?
We don't have advertising on the BBC.
Are the values of CBS, NBC, CNN, ABC YOUR values? Do they honor God?
No idea; don't watch them.
Get into your King James Bible,
Don't read the King James Bible - other translations, yes, but not that one.
Friend, I ask you to examine your attitude toward tv watching. Go to the Lord and ask Him what you should do about it. Listen carefully to His answer, and then if He tells you to unplug it and hide it in your closet, then DO IT!
I'm all for that.
But if the Lord were to tell me that watching the things I do on tv wasn't a problem, would you accept that - or would you find some other way of telling me what I should and shouldn't do?
God wants us to lead pure and holy lives.
And there's no reason why watching selected television programmes will hinder, or prevent, this.
