Let me start by saying that I do not in any believe that the TV itself is sinful. I do believe that like so many other things it is a tool that can be used for good or for bad. For some people it may be a tool that you cannot trust yourself to use and so maybe you should not use it.
It has been estimated that many people watch up to 4 hours and 35 minutes a day. If you do the math that equals 5 days and 16 hours a month that are spent in watching tv. It is amazing how many people will talk about how they do not have time for things yet they are wasting 5 whole days a month watching tv.
Here are the problems with too much tv viewing.
We can accept a secular picture of the world
Even in the news you can be influenced to take the worlds view on sin issues. Think about the progression that goes on in almost every sitcom. There is generally some sort of immoral relationship that is laughed at or glorified through out the entire show.
They made millions of dollars on a show that talked about 6 singles who ran around shacking up with each other and other people. People laughed and made it one of the most successful shows. I know many Christians who have no problem watching and laughing at the inappropriate jokes in that series. I see the cases of Friends sitting in many peoples movie collections.
The newest show Glee does nothing but make jokes and promote a homosexual lifestyle and promiscuous heterosexual relationships. It is amazing that people think that they can watch that and not be impacted by it.
We often are not truly refreshed
How many times do people sit down to just relax in front of the tv and actually have the opposite happen. I remember times when we would spend time together watching tv (Tori and I). At the end I would think about the fact that we just sat next to each other on the couch for hours and never talked or really cared for each other. That is not going to strengthen our relationship. Turn off the TV and get to know each other.
We can become cynical
It is easy to begin to take on the medias view of everything. So many Christians are influenced in their opinion about things based on what they see. I can think of two examples. The first is that so many people are cynical about clergy because of all the scandals that have arisen over the years. What you never hear about is the far larger group of clergy that love a follow God and truly care about those they minister too. The second is political. How many Christians view some bizarre political analyst and determine that it is the right view. So many of us ignore the commands of God's Word to honor respect and pray for those who rule over us and instead tear down and villainize the people God has allowed to rise to power. This not only shows a sign of disobedience to God's Word but also a lack of trust in the Sovereignty of God.
We can develop impure sexual thoughts or lust
Lets be honest the tv is constantly trying to show us more and more to entice us. The commercials for chocolate require improperly dressed models. As young people watch more and more tv they are being exposed to more and more opportunities to make immoral decisions. Trust me it is hard enough to stay pure without having the constant invitation to sin in front of you. An addiction to immoral life is a brutal addiction to break. Turn off the tv and focus on pleasing God.
We can learn to accept ungodly violence as okay
It seems as though every show is trying to be more brutal and graphic than the ones before it. I struggle to watch even detective shows because of the amount of violence and graphic scenes. We do not need to be focusing on those things and certainly we do not need to see them as cool.
We can become materialistic
They put commercials on tv for a reason. The reason is that they work. If you make something look good enough then you will get people to think about it and in the store when they see they will by it. Save your money turn off the tv.
A Higher Standard
Remember that in I Peter 1:15-16 we are given a much higher standard than any tv rating system can give. "As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy, for I am holy." This standard should help us determine better habits.
So answer this last question for me. Who do you love more, God or TV? Your love can show up in the amount of time spent with, thoughts about, willingness to submit and desire to seek pleasure from.
Love the Lord Your God with all Your Heart, Soul and Might.
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