As a Christian (and a pastor) I believe I need to be discerning when it comes to the things I read, watch, and listen to. I consume a lot of secular media but I try to be careful of the things I do choose. How do you personally determine what is and isn't off limits for you?
Just curious to hear how others approach this.
I have been recently diving into Proverbs . " He who walks with wise men will be wise but the companion of fools will be destroyed . " (Proverbs 13:20 ) And Jesus counseled to take heed how you hear .
It seems to me that Jesus was not ambitious because being who He was ( and Is ) , He had nothing to prove ...only to demonstrate . On the other hand , it seems that those who are the "talking heads " in media , sports , politics and music ( and often sadly religion ) did not reach their level of fame through humility . And when Jesus perceived that they would by force make Him a King , He fled into the wilderness .
Although this may seem extreme , I spend much of my time in prayer , reading and meditation . I do not own a TV , do not go to movies nor own a computer . I use a public computer . The christian radio in which I sometimes listen , is still interlaced with political commentary , ads and shows for wealth management or products made by christian supporters ( American made of course ). It seems most well known preachers and evangelist have a new book to promote or a luxury christian Alaskan cruise or a trip to Israel to promote . All of these things would be foreign to Paul , Peter and the first century Christians.
Deacons were first appointed so apostles could spend their time in preaching and prayer . It says the early church was devoted to prayer and the teachings of the apostles . Jesus was extreme .
I was born in 60 so the first generation raised on a diet of TV . How many unassuming , meek , humble writers , directors , producers, actors do you know who personally care for your and your families eternal well being ?
It is hard to be serious having had a steady diet of humor all of my life but as a believer , I believe it is more serious than life and death ...It is eternal life or eternal death . That is how and why I handle it the way I do . It is just eternity . Pretty extreme .
