Is entertainment sinful?

[2X4]

For example, is it sinful to spend hours watching movies when you could study the Bible etc.? I sometimes regret things like that and confess them as sins, because my mind is not centered on God during them.

I think that the Bible doesn't have much to say about entertainment, but here's some verses: Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:17

What is of the flesh and the world the flesh is involved in will perish. What is of Christ in the Paradise of God will remain forever and ever. Man was created in the image of God so you have nothing to worry about. You will awaken on a New Earth with a totally New Heaven that Satan and the Beast doesn't exist in. They will be deleted on the day of the Lord.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think we can grow in awareness the longer we are receptive to guidance from the Holy Spirit. I think it's only an issue if someone resists their spiritual growth and willfully wallows in feigned ignorance. Like a great many things in life, I think entertainment is a blank thing that can be used for good, for sin/evil, or for neither. But that as one's awareness is increased over time by the Holy Spirit, one might start to discern a lot more about their entertainment choices.

Just this morning I found myself watching the second half of the Titanic movie, a film I hadn't watched or even thought of since I was a kid, and things started jumping out at me, such as some of the characters using Jesus' name as a curse word, and it just gave me a sharp cringe sort of feeling, it was distracting from the movie and I didn't like it. Then at another point Jack and Rose are pushing their way up a ramp, and a man who knows he is going to die starts reciting Psalm 23, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death-" and Jack interrupts him, shoving the man out of the way and cracking a snide joke about how the man needs to walk faster through that valley because he is in their way. And those things are pretty mild compared to what a lot of entertainment these days includes. Sometimes lately it just stuns me about how many little things are included in the barrage against Christianity, even found in movies like the Titanic, which are otherwise far from the morally filthiest movies out there. I mean, it's the Titanic, which otherwise has themes of choosing genuine love (for each other and the poor) over earthly wealth, and heroic self-sacrifice.

Was it a sin for me to watch scenes from the Titanic this morning? I honestly don't think so. But I did notice things I would not have noticed years ago, and it gave me a long moment of pause, wondering what else I haven't noticed over the years.

I'm reminded of the verse in the Psalm: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him".

For the believer, the conscience can start to work about things which don't bother the unbeliever.

 

[Goodbook]

If the Lord is convicting you then yes.

I dont suppose they are christian movies you are watching and your Bible is never open.

Remember back in Jesus day, they were under Roman occupation and the israelites had all the entertainment at their disposal..gladiators, bear baiting, olympics, theatres. People can choose..they can sit and watch violent spectacles OR they could hear the sermon on the mount. Just as you have a choice what you spend your time on.

 

[Evangeline (Eve)]

I can't watch TV. Little things pop out at me that make me want to run away from it. This is coming from a person who used to be completely addicted to watching TV, like an alcoholic with alcohol. But as soon as I was saved, I couldn't watch it anymore, and whenever someone asks me if watching TV or entertainment in general is a sin I have trouble not saying yes. But since the Bible doesn't say that it is, so I can't say that.

But to me watching TV is a sin. Why?
Because...
1. It distracts me from God
2. Causes me to be lazy
3. I could be doing many other things, like praying, reading the Bible, helping somebody that needs it, things like that
4. It's a waste of time
5. It causes me to be selfish and do things for myself instead of others
6. There are too many evil things on TV, and I don't want to see or hear any of it (and obviously God wouldn't want me to)


I can't say for sure that watching TV is a sin, or that EVERYTHING on TV is evil, but I certainly wouldn't recommend watching it.
I would say, don't just ask whether or not it's a sin to watch it, ask yourself, is it actually a beneficial to watch it? Is it helping anybody, or bringing glory to God? If you answer no to those questions, just don't watch it.

Here are some other verses to consider, along with the ones you already listed:

"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but not everything is constructive." (1 Corinthians 10:23)

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-5 - I put this here because it sounds like a lot of things on TV).

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23)

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." (Romans 13:13-14)

 

[BobRyan]

For example, is it sinful to spend hours watching movies when you could study the Bible etc.? I sometimes regret things like that and confess them as sins, because my mind is not centered on God during them.

I think that the Bible doesn't have much to say about entertainment, but here's some verses: Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:17

Are the movies designed, directed, written and funded by the devil or one of his agents? Or are they ordained by God?

Examples would be helpful.

Here is a great test: Switch off the movie in the middle -- and say to one of those watching it with you - lets read a chapter of the bible and have prayer then resume the movie. Do that 2 or 3 times during the movie and ask youself whether it "detracted" from the movie - or did the movie 'detract' from worship.

That is "a sign".

Do that same thing in the middle of each quarter of your football game.

It is a pretty good barometer -- you just can't mix the downward things of this world with the things of God.

By contrast - I can do this with work all day long. Stop in the middle of work - have prayer read a chapter and then resume. No problems.

I can that while working the yard - stopping in the middle - having a short worship -- then resume... no problems.

I can do that while playing catch with one of my kids -- or on a walk with the family or ...

 

[Yahu_]

For example, is it sinful to spend hours watching movies when you could study the Bible etc.? I sometimes regret things like that and confess them as sins, because my mind is not centered on God during them.

I think that the Bible doesn't have much to say about entertainment, but here's some verses: Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:17

I think you are confusing sin with being unwise. If you don't read/study scripture and spend all of your time in entertainment, it will hinder your spiritual growth. That isn't sin but it is not very wise.

Trying to claim spending time on entertainment is sin, is just being legalistic IMO. A balance is needed.

 

[JoeP222w]

Always goes back to the heart attitude.

If you are spending significantly long periods of time being entertained, causing you to not seek after God or to not build your relationships with others, that is likely a problem.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

[Fish14]

Thanks for your answers.

For example is Romans 12:2 a command? Don't we sin when we disobey it?

 

[Meowzltov]

We need to have balanced lives: work, play, study, worship... all have their proportion and place.

If you are playing so much that you are never spending time with God, that is a problem. But no one thinks you have to spend hours in the Word every day.

Generally speaking, we become better balanced as we mature. For example, we all know how some guys play video games on end when they are young men. But they grow up, get jobs, marry, take care of the yard and the car and the home and even the kids these days... They may still have time for video games but it's usually 20 minutes with the kids.