Television and Ungodly Influences in the Home

We would never purposely allow violence, pornographic magazines, vulgar language, or books in our home that teach evolution would we? Why is it that we don't see a problem with watching shows on t.v. in our homes that promote these same things? According to usetoday.com, the average American home has more televisions than people with an average of 3 televisions per home. As christians we shouldn't find entertainment in watching shows that promote a sinful lifestyle. Did we forget that it was SIN that nailed our Lord and Savior to the cross? Do we really think filling our minds with filth will have no consequences?
I'm not saying that it's wrong to ever watch television, but we need to use the Biblical standard for choosing which programs we watch:

Phillipians 4:8
"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."

Proverbs 31:27
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."


Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I want to share with you a few titles of some of the most popular t.v. shows of 2010:
True Blood
Lie to Me
Gossip Girl
Desperate Housewives
Hell's Kitchen
The Vampire Diaries
Pretty Little Liars
Charmed
Buffy the Vampire Slayers
Dirty Sexy Money
Sex and the City
Bad Girls Club
Californication



Here is just a few of the many dangers of television:

1. Desensitizes us to sin.
2. Corrupts our character. "garbage in, garbage out"
3. Creates a false view of reality.
4. Wastes time we can be spending doing something fruitful.
5. Steals precious time we can be spending with our family.
6. Is linked to a higer risk of autism in children.

The following paragraph is taken from Nancy Leigh DeMoss from Revive Our Hearts
Children will cultivate an appetite for whatever they are fed in their earliest formative years. I have known young people from 'committed' Christian homes who know more about movie stars and rock groups than they do about the patriarchs or the disciples. They can sing along with all the top hit songs but do not know the great hymns of the faith. I can only assume that they have an appetite for what they've been exposed to.
"If we allow our children to listen to music, attend movies, read books and magazines and hang out with friends that promote profanity, negative attitudes, illicit sex, rebellion, and violence, we should not be surprised when they adopt the world's philosophies."
God intended that our homes should be like a greenhouse--a potting place for young, tender plants, where they can be nurtured and brought up in the ways of God until they're prepared to go out into the world and to withstand the attacks and the storms of life outside your home.
As parents we need to be careful what influences we are allowing in our homes. May our homes and the programs we watch glorify the Lord and be pleasing in His sight.


The TV is my shepherd, my spiritual life shall want,
It makes me to sit down and do nothing for the cause of Christ.
It demandeth my spare time.
It restoreth my desire for the things of the world.
It keepeth me from studying the truth of God’s Word.
It leadeth me in the path of failure to attend God’s house.
Yea, though I live to be a hundred, I will fear no rental;
My “Telly” is with me, its sound and vision comfort me.
It prepareth a program for me, even in the presence of visitors.
Its volume shall be full.
Surely comedy and commercials shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in spiritual poverty forever.
Author Unknown