Christians And Tv

THE CHRISTIAN, THE TELEVSION SET, AND THE WORD OF GOD THE STRANGER Author Unknown A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later. As I grew up I never questioned his place in our family. Mom taught me to love the Word of God, and Dad taught me to obey it, but the stranger was our storyteller. He could weave the most fascinating tales. Adventures, mysteries and comedies were daily conversations. He could hold our whole family spellbound for hours each evening. He was like a friend to the whole family. He took Dad, Bill and me to our first major league baseball game. He was always encouraging us to see the movies, and he even made arrangements to introduce us to several movie stars. The stranger was an incessant talker. Dad didn't seem to mind, but sometimes Mom would quietly get up while the rest of us were enthralled with one of his stories of faraway places, go to her room, read her Bible and pray. I wonder now if she ever prayed that the stranger would leave. You see, my dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but this stranger never felt an obligation to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our house-not from us, from our friends, or adults. Our longtime visitor, however, used occasional four-letter words that burned my ears and made Dad squirm. To my knowledge the stranger was never confronted. My Dad was a teetotaler who didn't permit alcohol in his home, not even for cooking, but the stranger felt like we needed exposure and enlightened us to other ways of life. He offered us beer and other alcoholic beverages often. He talked freely (much too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive and generally embarrassing. I know now that my early concepts of the man/woman relationship were influenced by the stranger. As I look back, I believe it was because of the grace of God that the stranger did not influence us more. Time after time he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked and never asked to leave. More than thirty years have passed since the stranger moved in with the young family on Morningside Drive. But if I were to walk into my parents' den today, you would still see him sitting over in a corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.

His name? We always just called him TV

"To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word" (Isaiah 66:2). Does the Word of God make your heart tremble? If not, why not? The devils believe and tremble. If so, please consider the following prayerfully. Is Cable/Satellite Television an idol in your home? If your answer is yes, then why has it not been removed? If your answer is no, please consider the following prayerfully. "Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing" (Deuteronomy 7:26) Can anyone deny that abominations abound in television programming? Even much of what is called “Christian programming” is apostacy in full bloom. "Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper" (Psalm 1:1-3). Television programs are for the most part produced by adulterers, fornicators, homosexuals, perverts, liars, cheats, and thieves. Their words are continually ungodly and strongly support humanistic godless living. They scorn the name of Jesus, reject the law of our God, and laugh at ungodliness and deceit. Listening and watching this stuff that according to Psalm 1, robs us of the blessings of God, steals our prosperity and pollutes our own spirit and that of our loved ones. "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me" (Psalm 101:2-3). It is contrary to the wisdom of God and the commandment to be holy, to let the ungodliness of television be seen and heard in our homes. Do you hate wickedness? If so, why do you bow before it night after night? If wickedness does not bother you, may I prayerfully ask you to reconsider your hope for eternal life, and the validity of what you base that hope?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). We don’t have time for fellowship with each other, for having fellowship with unbelievers. My Lord and my God, this should not be named among you or YOUR children. Deliver us oh God! "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever thins are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4: 8). What do most people spend time thinking about? Is it not usually what has happened within the last 24 hours? If not then, within the past week? If not that, we are anxious (worry) about what is about to happen. When we kneel to pray, these thoughts pop into our mind almost instantaneously. Then we wonder why we are distracted so badly when attempt to pray (meet with God). Images begin to burst forth in our minds. If you spend 3 or 4 hours a night in front of the blue eyed idol called television, thoughts of what you have seen will come forth. If you have spent your time in the Word of God, in prayer, in fellowship with the body of believers, with family, in service to our God, in giving of thanks in word and deed, then these are the things that we will be able to draw comfort and strength from. That is why our brother Paul exhorts us to “think on these things”. That is not so easy if our thoughts have been polluted by ungodly counsel. "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them , and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:16, 17). Have you been received by God? Or do you continue to touch and listen too what is unclean and ungodly? Have you really separated yourself from the world? Or, are you still a partaker of their sin by joining yourself in spirit with ungodliness and the powers of darkness and all the perversion that is portrayed as “the” way to live as seen on television? "Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:14-16). We are stewards of our time, and will give account to God for how we have spent our time. Is there light in your life? What is its source? Is it the blue light of TV or is it the manifest presence of God that abounds to those who obey Him and walk wisely before Him? (John 14:21) "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain

words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light" (Ephesians 5:3-13). When you sit in front of a television set and view all of this ungodliness, you are a partaker with them, even though you are not physically involved. Can this ungodliness be named among you? If so, please consider repenting, right this very minute. Praise God. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion... that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; that lie upon beds of ivory... but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos 6:1, 3, 4, 6). From the mouth of the proven prophet of God, Amos. Do you weep over the persecution of Christians world wide? Or do you have plenteous of goods, content with your sin and have need of nothing? "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1). So called believers are being conformed to this world in every conceivable way. We dress like the ungodly, have our hair styled like them, often wearing the logos of their products of sin on our outer garments. Our young people have their bodies pierced and tattooed. Loud music with shallow lyrics has replaced the richness of the GOSPEL hymns of old. Disco lights and man made smoke now fill the meeting place instead of the presence of God. The whole church has paid the price. To say that TV has not influenced this dramatically is to me, not being truthful with reality. "Your glorying is not good. Knowing ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). How much is too much leaven? Just a “little”. You simply cannot feast before the ungodliness of television and not have it poison your entire vessel. It’s time to cut off the source of ungodliness that our families, our children are allowed to feast on day after day after day. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience" (Colossians 3:1, 2, 3, 5, 6).

Television programming is saturated with fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness. Commercial advertisement entices covetousness in what is being presented before you. These ads inflame our flesh and cause our old man to cry out from the grave and demand to be fed to satisfy its insatiable hunger, when it should instead be crucified. Our thoughts of things above are brought down by the strongholds we allow to be erected in our hearts observing and partaking of the ungodliness of fallen man and the ungodly word that exalts itself above the Word of God. Where oh where is the broken and contrite heart over these things? Is it any wonder we bring upon ourselves the wrath of God? Repent! "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" (Colossians 3: 8) Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. If you want to know what is in the heart of anyone, just come alongside them and listen. They will tell you. What is coming forth from their mouth, and where did this abundance originate? Listen to your wives, your husbands, your children, your “brother in Christ”. What are they delighting in talking about? Where did it come from? "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and un-blamable we behaved ourselves among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). If God has called you into His kingdom and glory, why do you still flounder before the ungodliness of the life you supposedly have left behind?

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 7). If God has not called us to uncleanness, why is it we continue to delight in feasting at its table? You do belong to God don’t you? "Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" (James 3:10-12). We have never been able to have it “both ways” beloved. We cannot serve two masters. To choose one is to reject the other, whether you agree or not. God said that He set before us a choice, “life or death”. His counsel is to choose “life”. Is God not wiser than the counsel of the ungodly? "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 8:12.)

This should make any heart tremble. I continually hear people say that what is on TV does not “bother them”. Why not? Because their spirit has become so calloused from continual exposure to ungodliness, that their poor conscious has been anesthetized and no longer troubles them. Alarm bells ought to be screaming in their ear, yet they hear nothing. Beloved, Jeremiah says “they will be cast down”. Is this important to you? Repent! "And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou may see" (Revelation 3:18). Anoint thine eyes, don’t pollute them. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). How can we possibly keep our vessels clean and pure if we continue to wallow in the mire of ungodliness that spews forth from TV? "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4:1, 2). Here is our ministry. We should have long ago renounced these things that we feed upon in secret. Where is the man of God that will speak up and say so? Sadly, many are watching TV. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10). You say you love the Lord? How is it that you continue to love and support the evil fountain of ungodliness that spews out of the television set continually? "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea" (Mark 9:42). Worse than the damage it causes our relationship with God, we let our children feast at the table of television. Woe unto us. Repent! So much is at stake here. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:7-14).

This word should be screaming in the heart of every reader. If the counsel of God is sooooo precious, why is it that we are not spending hours each night in the Word, rather than sticking our noses into the pipeline from hell called television? "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honesty, as in the day; not in rioting [reveling] and drunkenness, not in chambering [immorality] and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:12-14). Television is a provision for the flesh of gigantic proportion. Watch it, and you will fulfill the ungodly desires that spring forth in your heart, believe it, or not! "But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God has chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth" (Deuteronomy 7:5-6). Are you holy? If you answer yes, why is it you have not broken down the altar of ungodliness whose images are an abomination before our God? "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:3-4). Hello? How can we say we are not friends with the world when we feast at their table night after night? James says we make ourselves “enemies of God”!!!!! "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew [avoid] evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue [pursue] it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" (1 Peter 3:10-13). We open ourselves to harm by not avoiding, even despising the evil of carnality paraded night after night, day after day on TV. "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness" (2 Peter 3:17). How clear does it have to be? Peter says “beware”. Are you beware? My Lord, you should be by now. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1Co 15:33 ) Oh the corruption of the church today because the saints have been anesthetized by the immoral vulgarity and spiritual suspended animation of ungodly amusement

afforded them sitting in front of the TV set wasting God given opportunity for fellowship with Him and service to fellow saints. "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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17). Are not these three, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” the same sins of Adam and Eve? Is this not what television is all about? If you do not agree, I am very afraid for you, and your family. By the way, anything that is said of TV is surely applicable to the fare served at the movie theater. Remember, that TV has an on/off switch and no one forces anyone to purchase movie tickets. My dear friends, I have struggled with these things for years. It is only of late that I have finally put cable/satellite television out of my life, as well as everything that in involves. I can tell you of a certainty, the results are astounding. God is revealing Himself to me more and more each day and I am able to commune with Him. Why? Because all the static that the world provides that competes with the Word of God for my thoughts has been taken away. The strongholds that exault themselves above the Word of God have been torn down. I have yet to be bored. Beloved, Shall we tremble at His word and obey -- or shall we make excuses and continue sitting in the seat of the scornful? Will we become so enthralled with Christ that we can no longer gaze upon that which would grieve Him? Will the bride of Christ truly separate from all that is of this world? Are there any in this nation who can hear and accept this message? Or, are we too sedated by the addictions of this world to hear? Will the church of Jesus Christ call me a legalist, a self-proclaimed judge? Or, will the Spirit raise up an anointed body of saints to shake off all entanglements and cry out for cleansing and separation? We shall see! Lahry Sibley