When a couple CAN’T WAIT for a date night to go see Fifty Shades Darker…
When friends are expressing their excitement over the return of Will and Grace…
When church-going moms are planning a “Mom’s Night Out” to see R-rated Bad Mom’s Christmas...
When Christian gals are conversing about The Bachelor or The Bachelorette or worse…
It makes me concerned. Concerned and puzzled.
Entertainment options today are replete with vulgarity, using God’s name in vain, nudity, unmarried people sleeping together, mocking of Christianity; essentially celebrating everything that disrespects and dishonors God.
And yet, many with whom we may worship or attend Bible study are spending time, money, and energy to amuse themselves with these things. And, sometimes it’s not others; sometimes it’s me/us!!!
Isn’t there something amiss here? Is ungodly entertainment really okay? If so, how much is too much? At what point, should we turn the television off or leave the theater? Can we really separate our Christian lives from what we are viewing?
As I ponder this sensitive subject with all humility, these Scriptures come to mind…
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Colossians 3:2, 5-10 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things..Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
For years, I enjoyed watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette. And, when I went to college, sprung free from a VERY strict home, my first movie was Top Gun followed by quite a few movies that were far from godly. But I began to realize that I cannot be entertained by garbage and not also be influenced by it. I don’t think it’s just harmless fun.
So I wonder…
When we choose to fill our minds with things that are ungodly, are we really loving God with all our minds?
When we choose to go to certain movies, replete with immorality and crude humor, are we thinking on things that are true, pure, and lovely?
When we celebrate lifestyles and behavior that are utterly contrary to God’s Word, or watch shows filled with the things that we Christians have “put to death” and “rid ourselves of,” are we truly behaving as Christ followers?
Why do we want to be entertained by things that are part of our old, sinful lives? Are we drawn closer to Jesus by watching such sitcoms and movies? And, what beneficial things could we fill our time, our hearts and our minds with instead?
Some of my friends have a ” Before you speak, T.H.I.N.K'” poster in their homes.
T – Is is true?
H- Is it helpful?
I – Is it inspiring?
N – Is it necessary?
K – Is it kind?
That could be equally applied to our entertainment choices, couldn’t it?
How much ungodly entertainment IS okay?
Something I need to ponder as I make choices about my viewing. How about you?
Choosing Well 