Aug. 5, 2007 - Putting the T.V. on Trial
....and I'm going for the death penalty! For many people, the television is of little consequence. Everyone has one and the only source of discussion surrounding the t.v. is what program to watch. This part of the "Why" series focuses on that box in the living room. Are you ready? Please remember, these studies were written with my children in mind, why we live the way we do in our home and what I want them to understand. You are free to disagree with me, but please do so nicely!
First, let me define what I mean by "television". I am *not* referring to pre-screened videos that you might use for education. The tv in and of itself is benign; it is what you watch on it that spreads a malignant cancer in the hearts and minds of young and old alike. When I use the term "television or tv", I am specifically referring to the programming that comes in via, satellite, cable or antenna.
It is also important for you to understand that I am not typing from a "holier-than-thou" position. We have been from one end of the spectrum to the other on this issue - from a 42" plasma tv and satellite to no television at all and everywhere in between. It is not my choice and not my decision to make. Were it mine, I would throw the tv and all it's components out the window, for at the very least, it is a colossal time waster.
So, let's get down to the the evidence - the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Shall we?
The Bible says, " Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: ..." Isaiah 1:18 (KJB) Let's use the good reason and judgment that God's given us and see what we can learn from His Word about this subject.
- The tv promotes a love for the world and worldly things. This is completely contrary to what the Bible commands in 1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." TV viewing encourages a love and even a lust for the world and all it has to offer. Alcohol is portrayed in a way as to make our young people believe it's glamorous and gratifying to drink. Yet, it doesn't show the broken and shattered lives as a result of drunk driving, illicit relations and the lack of self-control associated with alcohol. Commercials constantly bombard our children with things they simply must have and produce discontentment and ungratefulness for the things they do have. Even mom is forced to wonder how her husband can possibly be attracted to her when having to constantly be compared to the flawless perfection of actresses and super models and our young girls are forced at a young age to assume a warped view of what beauty really is. It is very hard to not fall in love with the world when we are inundated with it in our living rooms!
Isn't it a bit hypocritical to:
a. Teach our children to speak kindly, refrain from cussing, not tell off-colored jokes, not talk about things that aren't pleasing to the Lord, show respect for parents and authority and not backtalk YET sit them in front of shows that promote the very things we teach against?3. TV is a huge time waster. Ephesians 5:16 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." If nothing else, think of how much more you could get done if you were to unplug the television. Think about how much time you could spend as a family, strengthening the bonds of family relationships, were it not for the tv. I know that some of the sweetest times we have had as a family were when we didn't have a television. The Devil is using it to further fragment families, and I cannot believe that it is pleasing to God.
b. Set a standard for dress that is modest and teach our children that it isn't right to show off one's body YET allow actors and actresses to parade around screen half naked, right in front of our children's eyes? I've seen it first hand. My darling daughters see a show where the woman is portrayed as oh-so-beautiful in her skirt that barely covers her hind end and the next day, they're hiking their skirts up, donning high heels and prancing around the living room "pretending". NO, they are TRAINING for what they want to be when they're old enough to make their own decisions and as parents we are setting a very confusing double standard.
c. Teach our children to avoid sin - lying, stealing, violence, fornication. To love what God loves and hate what God hates YET allow them to view the very things we teach against? No wonder our children grow up so confused. They are pulled in two different directions and parents are providing the platform for the confusion.
Parents invite all manner of sin and debauchery into their living rooms via the television and wonder why their children are drawn to the world. Ever heard the statement that "your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Children have an uncanny way of knowing what you really believe, what you're really like, at the core. And THAT is what they are going to follow.
4. ASK YOURSELF: DOES THIS BRING GOD GLORY? 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Can you honestly, before God, say that the things you watch and the time you waste before the television bring Him glory?
This is getting long. Inevitably, there will be excuses for each and every point here. I've thought some of them, I've heard some of them and I've imagined some of them. The answers are coming in the next post. You know, the Devil has so many devices that he uses to fracture and divide our families. Why continue to give him the opportunity in the areas that YOU have control over?
Remember, if you are a *christian*, you are supposed to be Christ-like. Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
© 2007 Karen Owen
Comments
Sep. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by diamondsintherough
Hi Karen,
No excuses from me! This was a great post. So refreshing! We have been TV free for nearly 20 years. Do I miss it? Never. Do I care who the tabloids are featuring? No. I don't even know who those people are, except that they are lost souls who live sad, vain lives and need Jesus Christ.
Ironically, when you don't have a TV, or if you speak out against it, your biggest opponents are Christians. Parents seem bent on sowing a love for the world into their childrens' hearts. When the time comes for those kids to choose between the Lord and the world, which will have the biggest hold on them??? We know the answer. We see it all around us.
Sally
