Passive Entertainment

[Tristen]

Generally speaking, God permits me to watch whatever I find interesting. However, occasionally I receive a conviction that I shouldn't be watching something. I'm not always sure why - but sometimes it's obvious. Nowadays, I'm pretty good with recognizing and heeding that unction.

I've noticed myself starting to lose interest in worldly entertainment. Not sure if it's me, or the poor quality of modern 'art'. I can skip through many shows (e.g. turning a 50 minute show into a 20 minute show) without losing any vital plot points. The directors don't seem to understand that I'm watching for the fungus zombies, not the human drama (surely, we get enough of the latter in real life).

But yes, probably mostly a waste of time. Not a sin - and probably mostly fine with God in reasonable quantities.

 

[Vine Abider]

12 hours ago, Tristen said:

Generally speaking, God permits me to watch whatever I find interesting. However, occasionally I receive a conviction that I shouldn't be watching something. I'm not always sure why - but sometimes it's obvious. Nowadays, I'm pretty good with recognizing and heeding that unction.

I've noticed myself starting to lose interest in worldly entertainment. Not sure if it's me, or the poor quality of modern 'art'. I can skip through many shows (e.g. turning a 50 minute show into a 20 minute show) without losing any vital plot points. The directors don't seem to understand that I'm watching for the fungus zombies, not the human drama (surely, we get enough of the latter in real life).

But yes, probably mostly a waste of time. Not a sin - and probably mostly fine with God in reasonable quantities.

 

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable" (1 Cor 10:13)

[Neighbor]

On 4/26/2023 at 11:50 AM, FJK said:

I'm sure others will have different ones to consider as well.

You bet! Different as well as differing. LOL

Can't unring a bell, every ungodly act depicted in programming, in advertisements, in public service announcements and so called news/opinion programming leave an imprint on the mind's memory bank.

------------------

Regarding the thread subject and opening post more directly:

So what to do?

Perhaps many things; when two men are depicted sitting on a roof top kissing as part of an ad to sell a product what is the personal reaction and response? Is it to bring to mind specific Bible passages refuting that behavior? Does it inform one not to buy the product? Does it even call out to write the product maker, write the tv network, write even politicians, sharing of the Bible passages that refute this demonstrated behavior? Does it call  one into prayer and conversation with God?

God does use what may be intended for evil, for good to those that believe on Jesus as lord God and personal savior.

 As for me I cancelled Cable tv altogether.  I cancelled Facebook, I replaced these items with a lot of talks, sermons, from various resources including WCF. I do enjoy  the Spurgeon archives of his presentations as another example. I do watch a lot of old Zola Levitt Presents too, taking a few notes and then research for pleasure within the Bible -mostly just reading it so that when situations come up and the Holy Spirit alerts.

I have DVD's of some old movies and a few new ones too, mostly of the Kendricks Brothers variety. I even do puzzles, and still take nature photos then try to learn more about what I have photographed. For awhile I did the genealogy thing, but seemed like what was made was a bramble bush rather than a family tree. It went everywhere.

Anyway it is not horrible to tune out,  relaxing, watching fluff so to speak, but  keep in mind one cannot unring a bell.

 

[Sower]

On 4/26/2023 at 2:56 PM, Vine Abider said:

Saw that response before, but that is profound!  

So the question is: Do I put the law on myself to try to accomplish this, or do I wait on Him to do it in me, or . . .?

 

 

We have not because we ask not. There's victory in Jesus.
Ask and you shall receive.

 

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, Sower said:

I was about to post this below;

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

That will set him straight! Right....

Then I remembered what I had recently gone through like you posted above.
A sin that so easily beset me;

"let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us"

I struggled recently  with the not so bad utube videos, rerun Johnny Carson and talk shows, noticing the progression of women's skirts getting shorter and tops getting lower, naughty but not nasty, (right), and realised how easy I was led to an addiction of curiosity to see, hear, the more nasty ones, utube, pulling on my curiosity again. I don't do porn, but for a few weeks I (flesh) played on the fringe. I was overwhelmed in shame, and bed time prayers were in great earnestness. Begging deliverance before being consumed. I saw the signs, and was afraid.

So I prayed and 'laid it aside', (over and over and over), lasting only a day or so, and felt an actual detox within begging for another 'fix' of those feel good endorphins . I was for the first time realizing how Christians, even pastors, can get hooked on porn, which I  knew (pride) I never would. From naughty to nasty to out and out sin. Who will deliver me?  And that is what happened. I begged for deliverance.

Like when I tried to quit smoking for so many many years of shame, I finally can say I do not smoke. But I never could quit! Never. It was through the prayer of a fervent righteous man laying hands on my shoulders crying out to God

It was God who delivered me. I could not quit! But now I am free of nicotine addiction, praise God for His faithfulness!

Point I'm making is I knew it would be God who would deliver me from the lustful desire, in his time, time enough for me to understand/discern it took my creator to enable me to rid me of this starting addiction, but I still stayed in the battle, day by day, earnestly hoping waiting till I noticed the agonizing temptations were fading away (resist and he will flee).

I was delivered, by God for sure, and through this I now understand more fully that it is God that delivers and could not have done it on my own, just like my smoking addictions.

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers."

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house (even the guy/gal on your TV/computer screen/speakers)or give him any greeting,
Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." 2 John 1:10-11
Think on that.

They can come through technology into our living room now on any channel.

We each believe to what degree we can handle playing on the edge, and believe we won't fall. Don't be so legalistic. Doesn't hurt anybody.
I know better now how subtle the enemy works. The thrill of tempting temptation.
I admit I am weak when alone at the PC/TV. I have to avoid the "middle ground"
That is where the land mines and booby traps lay, 'unnoticed' till too late.
Temptations I thought I could handle, you know, no big deal, and can quit any time. Right?

You said VA;
Bottom line: take problem to Him and let the inner Anointing (Christ in you) tell you, and avoid being overtly legalistic (which brings in condemnation & energizes the flesh even more). Though sometimes it is just as simple as the "off" button and then reading scripture or a healthy spiritual book.

If it takes (for me) to be so called legalistic, so be it for me. I am very weary of giving the enemy credit for something my holy spirit is showing me. It is easy to harden my heart/mind. But, Is it honoring God, is it loving Him wholly, is it programming my mind to receive whatsoever is good, pure, honest just, praiseworthy etc. For me it is a no brainer. A little leaven. The battle for the mind. The human flesh desiring/demanding another fix of the feel good hormones, and does not care how (visual/audio) you stimulate the brain to open the valve to get the fix. I don't want to go through that again, as I saw the depths to which I was falling.

Coming from a family having to constantly get my alcoholic father or heroin addicted brother out of jail and back into halfway houses, I can see the signs of addiction. I think God was pretty serious when he uses the word 'FLEE.'
(I picture myself running from a thrown hand grenade:)

You might consider talking to your group of men you assemble with, and locate which one whom you believe God would have you pray over you. I suggest the voices labeled legalistic be re-examined with prayer. Err toward the good side.

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

VA. I have exposed my weakness here to you my brother as scripture tells us.
And how I used the word crying to God to overcome these weaknesses/sin.
I hope you gain a nugget of value and not a subtle voice of condemnation.

We have not because we ask not. There's victory in Jesus.
Ask and you shall receive.

 

Thank you so much for that, bro! In my smaller men's group on Tuesdays, we actually do talk about these things and a couple, like me, have shared that they are in a similar situation as me in watching too many deadening things - not outright sinful, but deadening to our spirit for sure.  We have prayed on a couple occasions about this, but not very recently and it is perhaps time to get a little more serious with one another and God regarding this! 

Time is short, in many respects, and this is an entanglement we don't need to say the very least! 

Thanks again!

[Marilyn C]

My thought is that if we are more attuned to the world`s voice then will we hear the Lord when He says by His Spirit -"Come up here."

Would hate to miss that! 

`To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.` (Heb. 9: 28)

[AlsoBroken]

On 4/26/2023 at 11:32 AM, Vine Abider said:

I confess that I find this a tough thing @AlsoBroken.  That is, I watch way too much on the ol' TV and have prayed about it quite a bit. We do censor many certain things out and either my wife or I have veto power - some things she nixes while other things I pull the plug on. But I actually think 90% of fictional TV is at least just fleshly and Godless.  We have broadcast channels and also Netflix, which has some OK and a lot of bad I think. So we usually have a few series programs on DVDs on hand with milder content.

But I am bothered by how much of it I do watch in the evenings. (at least with the NBA and playoffs, we watch a lot of that right now - my wife is a Suns fanatic! so that is better that most programs I think) Oftentimes the inner anointing lets me know that something shouldn't be watched, that is, I can just feel life being drained from me! But my thinking is it's all pretty bad and is just a conduit to let the worldly cesspool into house and hearts . . .

Bottom line: take problem to Him and let the inner Anointing (Christ in you) tell you, and avoid being overtly legalistic (which brings in condemnation & energizes the flesh even more). Though sometimes it is just as simple as the "off" button and then reading scripture or a healthy spiritual book.

I agree wholeheartedly and thank you for sharing your experiences with this ever-present temptation. I think it can be a serious detriment to our growth and sanctification in Christ, if for no other reason than because it’s addictive and a time waster. 

[AlsoBroken]

From Vine…., “The battle for the mind. The human flesh desiring/demanding another fix of the feel good hormones, and does not care how (visual/audio) you stimulate the brain to open the valve to get the fix. I don't want to go through that again, as I saw thedepths to which I was falling.”

I feel the same!

[believeinHim]

On 4/26/2023 at 10:24 AM, LiveWire said:

Where I live we have television channels in series set-up for different venues and types of entertainment.   It's just regular non-cable television.   But it does include Christian Programs.   One can disagree doctrinally but still be Blessed by having the Word of God spoken into your home environment.   Now, I am far from one who has this on 24/7/365.   I love Sports and have my own favorites involving ungodly sitcoms.   I studied certain things in life when I was not living for God that includes body/mind/soul.   Some series that includes Police and Martial arts just thrills me.   I even enjoy watching the bad criminal taking a physical skilled beat down.   I know it's entertainment, even though, I might justify it by saying Good Triumphed over Evil hahaha   But there can also sometimes be seduction, revealing more than should, and bad language involved.   It does not tempt me one bit.   But I know it ain't helping on the Spiritual Side of God either.

 

And if that didn't seem competitive enough, wait until NFL and NCAA Football Seasons and NCAA Basketball.   I have a foam brick just to throw at the television toward the referee for calling an obvious Home Field Advantage Penalty Call...

Loll ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 

[AlsoBroken]

On 4/26/2023 at 8:50 AM, FJK said:

A show can be "Godless" yet not be opposed to God.

Does the show depict things that are in direct opposition to God and his rules and try to normalize them? 

Many shows, movies, etc, do but do so in so subtle a way that it can slip by unnoticed, implanting behaviors and attitudes in your mind without you realizing it, and have you think they are your own from your own experiences when they surface and control your reactions to events in the real world around you.

Beware of this and don't allow it to infect you without your knowledge, watching the show is not necessarily bad, we all live in a secular world and should expect such, but don't let it influence you at an unconscious level so you learn to accept things that you would normally reject as unacceptable.

And, of course, outright reject anything attempting fo portray all sorts of sinful behavior, sexual perversions in particular (men kissing men, women doing all sorts of things with other women, young people having illicit sexual relationships), as being accepted so that they become normalized in your thinking, just shut those things off as soon as you see it happen.

 

My opinion for your consideration, I'm sure others will have different ones to consider as well.