God’s TV Guide

Is watching TV bad for you?

My guess is that people watch what interests them at the time. Seems harmless enough. But what if your favorite TV show is shaping your beliefs, your behavior and your speech?

Hold it right there for just a minute. It’s just TV. What harm could it do?

Last year the Culture and Media Institute reported that 68 percent of Americans think media has damaged the moral values of our nation.

The report, The Media Assault on American Values, concluded that the more a person watches television the less likely he will be to accept responsibility for his own life. He will also be more likely to ignore his obligations to the people around him.

In addition, the more a person watches TV, the less likely he is to conduct himself honestly, reliably and fairly. And the more permissive his attitudes toward moral issues—such as divorce, sex outside of marriage, abortion and homosexuality—are likely to be.

It also observed that the more a person watches television, the less likely he is to honor godly values and religion in public life. Religious principles and obedience to God become less important.

In other words, when you put an idle mind in front of a TV set, watch out. Bad things can happen. Responsibility, morality and critical thinking skills all deteriorate.

So before you dismiss concerns about watching too much TV as just “parent talk” or “preacher talk,” think again. (Not to mention that those concerns come from a reliable source!)

Long before the age of television, God warned his people about the danger of images. Why? Because he knows that what we see affects how we think.

In the Ten Commandments, God said, “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

For people in Bible times, the danger was images (idols) representing pagan gods and behavior God had forbidden. Why? Because those images might seduce them into sin.

Some think God forbids things as sin because he doesn’t want us to have any fun. But the truth is that God wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. Since he created us, he knows what brings us joy or what brings us sadness.

What God forbids as sin are things that will harm, sicken or destroy us. And what doesn’t harm us physically may hurt us spiritually. Or destroy our closest relationships.

No wonder the Psalmist, David, says, “I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate” (Psalm 101:3).

You could call that statement God’s TV Guide. If you use it as your entertainment filter, it rules out more than half of TV programs and movies!

Later the psalmist prays in Psalm 119:37, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things.”

Is that a prayer you need to pray? Pray it and then change the channel.

Or, instead of watching something, read a good book. How about the Good Book? When was the last time you picked up a Bible just to encourage your faith?

If the Bible is new to you, start by reading the Gospel of John in the New Testament. It will introduce you to Jesus Christ. You’ll hear his amazing teaching about God’s love for you. And you’ll see why Jesus chose to die on the cross for your sin and mine. It’s a real page-turner!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!