U
Lately I have heard a lot of discussion in the rooms about various movies and whether certain movies are acceptable for children to be exposed to and even if we ourselves should view them, being we are Christian. Because I have heard this topic discussed abundantly, I have decided to post an article I wrote earlier this year, even though it is currently in preparation for publication. It is my hope and prayer that anyone taking the time to actually read this will benefit from it.
SEEING BECOMES BELIEVING
(Why We Should Be Extremely Concerned About Television Programming)
By James Bradford
©2009 All Rights Reserved
We have all seen articles in various publications regarding the filthiness of the content of television and other media. The majority of Christians agree that the content is morally wrong and that it can have negative effects on children. However, we really need to take a look at this, as we may not fully understand the effect this has in each of our individual lives, as well as our society as a whole. This is not a problem that came about overnight. Our media has become what it is gradually over time, but we should have seen it coming years ago. However, it was brought about so subtly what was happening was not really noticed until it was too late. We comprised from the very first because the questionable content initially seemed harmless or insignificant. This progression over time could be described in detail, with examples given, but we will not address this facet of the problem here. Our purpose is to see and understand its impact.
This is a problem that has impacted us all in one way or another. What we have been exposed to on television and in the media has desensitized us to sin and rendered us ineffective in discerning right from wrong. This has brought about gray areas of behavior and thought patterns that have become acceptable to us as a society, even though they are contrary to the will of God. Is it any wonder we have such problems in our society as sexual promiscuity, abortion, marital infidelity, divorce, pornography, homosexuality, crime, …etc.? Even more sadly, these problems are just as prominent in our churches as they are in the rest of society.
What we allow ourselves to be exposed to has a direct correlation to our judgments and actions. This is an example of how sin enslaves people. In talking about the false teachers, 2 Pet. 2:14 says they, “having eyes full of adultery…cannot cease from sin”. They are powerless to control sin and cannot stop it from controlling their lives. Sin has taken over to the point where they cannot constrain from committing it. They have become “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:11) and have, as a result, become subject to it. We may also examine this from another angle. What we see impacts our heart and being. Jesus said in Matt. 6:22, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light”. Furthermore, Prov. 15:30 says, “The light of the eye rejoices the heart.”. If the good things we view bring light and rejoicing, what do the evil things we view bring, other than the exact opposite?
To go a little deeper, Prov. 23:7 says, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” and Prov. 16:9 says, “a man’s heart plans his ways”. When we examine the aforementioned scriptures regarding the eye and the heart, we come to the conclusion that the inputs we expose ourselves to have an effect on our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and lives. The inputs we allow ourselves to be exposed to exert influence and control over us, whether we want to believe and admit it or not. The more we are exposed to, the greater the impact.
We have all heard the expression “little white lies”. These seemingly insignificant untruths are viewed as such because they seem to not hurt anyone. We need to realize there is no such thing, just as there is no such thing as s sin that isn’t that bad (Jas. 2:10). Sin dims our sight (Lam. 5:16-17) and blinds us. People are alienated from the life of God through ignorance, and because their hearts are blind (Eph. 4:18). It is imperative we guard our hearts as the very issues of life spring from the heart (Prov. 4:23). In light of what we have seen to this point, it is obvious how necessary it is to also guard our eyes due to their effect on the heart. This is exactly how Satan drew Eve into his snare. She saw the tree…that it was pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise (Gen. 3:6). Satan’s lie was ratified through the eyes and it all went downhill from there.
There are many people who would view a rigorous adherence to God’s Word and teachings as legalist. It is always imperative that we remember that our salvation comes only through faith in Christ by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8) . There is absolutely no way we could have earned our salvation. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Knowing the truth (Jesus) is the key to freedom from the bondage of sin (John 8:31-32). If we do not keep His commandments, we do not know Him (1 John 2:3-4).
The Word is a discerner of the “thoughts” and intents if the heart (Heb. 4:12) and is the litmus test for determining right from wrong. To excel in a sport an athlete must exercise and practice. The same is true for the Christian. To become good at discerning what is right and good or wrong and evil, we must exercise our senses (Heb. 5:14). God has said He would put His laws in our hearts and write them in our minds (Heb. 10:26). It is when we receive, meaning we believe and willingly accept as truth, His word and hold fast to it that the impossible can become possible. Keeping His Word within us, and not letting it depart from our eyes, will prevent us from stumbling (Prov. 3:21-23). Our transformation is facilitated by the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). Our being obedient is dependent on our being in control of our thinking (2 Cor. 10:5). We cannot afford to choose to allow any of the old worldly ways of thinking to remain. It is by bringing every thought under control that paves the way to true freedom from the bondage of sin. When we trade in our carnal mindset for one that is spiritually centered, life and peace are ushered into our lives replacing the sin and death that once had hold on us (Rom. 8:6). Any compromise in our viewing choices allows sin and death the opportunity to gain a foothold in our lives.
Very recently, a DJ of at prominent Christian radio station was relaying to listeners what movie would be reviewed on that week’s “Plugged-In Movie Review” feature. The DJ said they would be letting the listeners know if it was “safe to take the kids” to the movie being reviewed that week. Many Christians shield their children from viewing objectionable content, yet they themselves will willingly watch it, thinking it is okay because they are mature adults. While they understand the impact it has on children, it should also be understood that it also affects the minds and influences the thinking of adults as well. This can affect us to the point it interferes with the potential fullness we can experience in our relationship with Christ and become a stumbling block in our walk. There are sure to be some who would see this as “nit-picking” and believe it could not be true that what we view could have this type of impact. When Jesus said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”, the reply from the Jews was that they were not in bondage (John 8:33). They did not recognize their state, just as many of us do not recognize the seriousness of this issue and how it affects us.
In order to tear down a stronghold, it must first be identified as a stronghold. It is extremely likely that television and other forms of media have had an effect on the perceptions of all of us and our fellowship with God in one way or another. In seeing the problem, we can begin moving toward the solution. While we may not always have control over the things we are exposed to in public, we do have the option of removing ourselves from the equation if what we are exposed to is objectionable. In our homes, we do have control over what is viewed. The enemy wants us to be alienated from the life being in a relationship with Jesus offers, and he will use all manner of subtle methods to try to weaken and sever our fellowship with God. Even something seemingly harmless as a television program or movie can be used to warp our perceptions and thinking, affecting that relationship.
The answer is simple, to make correct choices in what to view. Paul said, “Try all things, hold fast that which is good” (2 Thess. 5:21). What we fill our eyes and mind with truly does affect our heart. Paul also gives direction for renewing our minds. The key is in prayer and meditation on the Word. He shows us what we should meditate on and gives us a great assurance in Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true,…noble,…just,…pure,…lovely,…of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me do, and the God of peace will be with you”. Having a pure heart and maintaining it is a goal all Christians should strive to achieve, as God has given a wonderful promise to those with such a heart in Matthew 5:8. As has been stated already, we are transformed by the renewing of our mind and this transformation has an end result; “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord”.
Hollywood could not produce a program or movie that could even come close to comparing to the production God is putting on in our lives. The story He is writing in us has every conceivable component of a Hollywood production all rolled up in to one. It is a story of His love for us that is filled with mystery, thrills, and action. At times we may be scared senseless, at others we may roll with laughter at the comedy, and at other times we may cry at sadness and loss. But, when the story is all said and done, we will see that is a show about triumph and it has an ending unlike any other written that will end with the entire audience on its feet in a standing ovation to the author, producer, and director, Jesus Christ.
Now,..what do you want to watch tonight?