I’ve developed quite an obsession lately. It’s the show LOST. We don’t have TV, so I was content not even knowing the show was out there, but then I stumbled on a discussion on a friend’s blog about it. Knowing he was a pastor, and hearing some of the intriguing comments posted about it, I was curious. Then I found out I could get it through my Blockbuster mail service. And I was off! Along on a desert island, allowed to be a voyeur looking into the lives of others (not real people, albeit, but I was privy to their just-like-real lives anyway!).
At first the show was fascinating. It was unusual and suspenseful. Like most TV fodder today it was a creative hybrid of drama and soap opera. (Other hybrids add the element of game show—daytime TV has come a long way and earned its place in prime time!) I kind of knew I was in trouble when I would sit and watch the whole four hours in one stretch . . . and again when I neglected Advent readings so I could see the next episodes . . . and also when I’d make a mad dash to Blockbuster as soon as one of our online rentals was done so I could get the next DVD. (Blockbuster has a wonderful plan now to offer more movie rentals—I think it’s a conspiracy to enslave me to the TV again!)
Today I realized that this obsession has taught me something. Actually a few things. First I understand a little better what it means to be a stumbling block to less mature believers. The people who were discussing LOST on the blog might not have trouble being held captive by that show—you may not have any trouble—but I do. And the only reason I watched it was because of comments made by other believers I trusted. Not that they are to blame for me watching the show—I accept complete responsibility. I should have done more research into the show and read some reviews to determine if it was appropriate for me, and I did push the play button (again and again!). I’ve also learned that I don’t do well with serial-type shows, and I should stay away from them. My intent here is not to cast any blame at those who shared their interest in LOST with me, just to realize that the things I do easily affect other believers. I cannot anticipate every impact of the way I live, but I need to be very cautious about the example I set in front of other believers (most especially my children.) I wonder what things I have encouraged other believers to do against their consciences just because they were things I did.
The other thing I learned from watching this show is that the world really is controlled by the Father of Lies. The whole intrigue of the show is based on the secrets of the characters. Secrets get them into trouble and secrets get them out of trouble. Even though I was watching with great interest, the show troubled me—secrets, lies, mysticism, and blatant heresy. I am reminded of what Paul said:
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks,
but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was
darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the
glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and
of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them
over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be
dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God
for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is
blessed forever . Amen.” (Romans 1:21-25) The show started just like this verse, godless and full of human “wisdom” and speculation. Even though I haven’t watched very far, I see the pattern emerging characteristic of so many other shows today—an increasing fascination with sensuality, the occult, violence, and deception.
As a believer, I am commanded, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely , whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me [this being Paul], practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9) As I examine my LOST addiction, I can’t justify it. I starting out watching it so that I could understand what the people around me were talking about, and so I could get a bit of a glimpse of what post-modern thinking looks like (the life reflected in the art). By my personal standards, it’s not that bad a show. There is not THAT much sensuality, not THAT much violence, not THAT much spirituality or heresy. But there is a LOT of deception and deceit. And I’m not sure there is that much honorable, right, pure, lovely, etc.
As I continue to ponder this, I ask myself, how important is it that my criticism of the show is the way it centers around deception. Is that enough of a reason to forsake it, or am I being legalistic? Is it as necessary to avoid as, say, a show with violence, or s*x? And then I found this verse: “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My
word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham's
descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say,
'You will become free'?’ “Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. "The slave does not remain
in the house forever; the son does remain forever. "So if the Son makes you
free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31-37
While I watch LOST, I am not free. I am captured by its serial nature, captured by the lies and secrets within the show. This is NOT what MY Father is like. He has set me free to live a life of truth, and I’m trying to do that. He has set me free to love unconditionally, without secret agendas or hidden motives. So why would I want to stay caught in a show that let’s me join in on the deception of the characters? Why would I want to practice that kind of life?
Today as I watched, I began to feel those old feelings again from my old soap-opera watching days (my early college years). And I realized it was all hopeless. The show was never going to give me answers. Or when it did give me answers, there would only be six more questions behind that door. The good guys will never stay good, and the bad guys aren’t really all that bad. This is worldly philosophy disguised as entertainment. It has been helpful for me to see a little of it, and to be reminded that the world really is what God says it is. But this is not my life.
My life and my future are not a soap opera. There is no deception, even when I don’t understand what is going on, because my God is not deceptive. He is truth. He has a good and perfect plan for my life, so that I can glorify Him by delighting in Him more than I have delighted in LOST the last few weeks. So as of today, I’m giving it up. I’m returning the DVD’s and not getting any more. I’m getting out now. I’ll never know what happens to Jack or Sawyer, or Kate, but do I really care about these people? Nope. I care about the real people God has put in my life, and about the real God I serve. So I’m making a change. Please pray for me. Thanks.
Do not be deceived , my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and
every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with
whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His
creatures
James 1:16-18 |
• Dec. 25, 2006 - Unequally Yoked
We are impressionable, even as adults. We must always guard our hearts, minds, and souls.
Thank you precious Sister for humbling yourself and admitting your fault. You are blessed!