TV . . . Helpful Or Harmful?

One of Satan*s most useful and active weapons against the Kingdom of God in our time is the idiot-box, the TV.

True, there are some wholesome things on televison -- sporting events, educational TV, informative and truthful programs, and Christian programming. But we even need to be careful of the Christian programming, as much of it is unbiblical. And often the news reporting is biased and prejudiced according to the opinions of the reporters. I*m going to estimate that about 90 percent of what is on TV is controlled by Satan.

I don*t want to take away your TV, and I certainly don*t want you taking mine away. It*s OK to have recreation. It is OK to have diversions from the problems of life, it*s OK to be amused and entertained and it*s important to be informed. But we must be careful of the time we spend watching TV and be discerning about what we watch and what influence it exerts on us, and especially on the young minds of our children. We need to know when we are being led down the primrose path. There is much on TV that is unwholesome and harmful.

Be careful little eyes what you see.
Be careful little ears what you hear.
There*s a God in heaven above,
And He*s looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.

Psalms 101:3: I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: . . .

Often, when we turn on the TV we are setting a wicked thing before our eyes. It is true of computers and of the human mind -- Garbage in: Garbage out. As you read your Bible and grow in the Lord, you will increasingly enjoy the good and hate the evil. And you will be better able to know the difference.

TV will waste our time. Our time is important to God.

Ephesians 5:15-16: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 4:5: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Time spent watching TV is time not spent reading the Bible, praying or serving God and others. If God is not God over our time, He is not God over our hearts. Tragically, many parents who haven*t time for their children will use TV as a baby-sitter. There are a lot of better ways to use our time. Time passed is time gone. We can never get it back.

TV will influence our minds, our behavior and our morals. It will captivate our minds and our thoughts. It is geared to about the 5th grade mentality. It will do your thinking for you if you let it and will prevent you from thinking for yourself. A wasted mind is a terrible tragedy. TV will give only one side of every issue. Usually it will promote Satan*s point of view. It will seldom give the Biblical side. It is not impartial or neutral. It will numb your heart and mind to the things of God. Our minds and our thoughts are important to God.

Romans 12:2: 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.

II Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Care to discuss TV . . . Helpful Or Harmful? with Ron?

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