"WATCHING WHAT WE WATCH ON TV!"

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VOLUME XXVII I FEBRUARY 23, 2009 #08

“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” (Eph. 4:19 NIV)

What a perfect description of those who make so many of our TV programs today and those who are addicted to them! “Lost all sensitivity! Given to sensuality! Indulging in every kind of impurity! Continually lusting for more!” One might think this was written in 2009 rather than so long ago! What a barren wasteland is so much of TV programming! What cesspools of filth so many of the sitcoms! What a tragedy that such a wonderful means of communication has been so largely misused for evil!
“Can Christians own and watch TV?” Some entire denominations forbid it, as do many individual pastors and evangelists. But one would be hard put to find a “Thus saith the Lord” in the Bible for the wholesale elimination of TV. But that being said, one does not have to stretch for scriptures which would warn believers away from much shown on TV. Consider for instance:

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them… Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (Eph. 5:3-7, 11-12 NIV)

What we feed our eyes and minds with is what we eventually become. We cannot sit watching hours of unmitigated corruption without being affected by it. To patronize filthy programs and movies is to “be partners with” those who write them, speak them, and act them out—and that is something God forbids us to do! With such things we are to have nothing to do! We are not only not to indulge our eyes, minds, and imaginations in them, we are commanded not even to mention them!
As TV programming (commercials included!) continues to deteriorate morally we disciples of Jesus must become more selective in what we watch and allow in our homes! After all, we are “God’s holy people!”


Larry Atkin, Preacher