Hi....
Are we compromising on what we watch, surf, hear & read, saying " Well I'm an adult, I'm mature, I can watch, hear & read it all, filter & take what's good."
Media sure influences us for good or bad. We need not be afraid of the media or reject it.
But surely we need to discern good from evil & reject all forms of evil in the media.
PHILIP 4:8 says,".....think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent & praiseworthy." We also got to test all that we watch, hear & read & hold on to what's good & reject the evil.
1 Thessa 5:21-22 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
Some simple guidelines that will help when watching particular TV programmes, surfing the net, listening to music...
1) Is there any clear teaching or command in the Bible against this...?If it's a programme that glorify's sex, adultry, violence I'm sure we need to think about it.. 2) does watching something bother yr conscience before God? 3) What would Jesus do? 4) How will it influence me? Remember....what gets yr attention gets you. 5) Will it help or harm my Christian testimony or personal walk with the Lord. 6)Will God's name be glorified? Remember....
a) God is concerned about our mind..we need to consider the Philip 4:8 test.. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. "
b) Programmes which incite sinful passions need to be avoided! Rom 13:14 "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
Job 31:1, "I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a girl."
Psalm 119:37, Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word..."
c) Reject programmes & music ....... that depict violence as a legitimate of acheiving goals. Watching too much violence makes some less sensitive to death, some become fearful & some turn violent.
approve of adultry Reflect a negative attitude on the sacredness of the "Body of Christ," d) Our time watching TV / or surfing the net shouln't come in the way of personal & family devotions, Family fellowship, Church work etc.. Satan is out to destory young & the old alike & is using sophesticated weapon which he targets thro' the Internet & Television....
1 Thessa 5:23, May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
That's why Christian grps on-line are so...important to stop the darkness spreading!
Let's take the net over for JESUS!
BE BLESSED,
Julia