THE CONTENT FILTER
This filter is to me the most obvious. But when I began to think about it, I realized that this category makes certain assumptions that people may or may not be making. One assumption is that the same standards and convictions that a person has regarding personal behavior (I will not murder someone), are the same as what that person is willing to allow themselves to be entertained with (I will not allow myself to be entertained by murder). This is critical to understand. If entertainment is doing something that brings pleasure (watching a movie, for example), then we should ask ourselves this question:
Is it sinful for me to entertain myself with things that I object to morally?
The other assumption is that the entertainment that we consume has an affect on the way we perceive things and therefore, potentially affects our behavior. For example: Watching movies with excessive vulgarity will tend to cause one to begin imitating that behavior. This concept is difficult to quantify because people are so different, but the bottom line is that we simply cannot “experience” something without it becoming a part of us in some way. That much I can say for certain.
Got a verse? You bet! Check this out…
Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Notice in this verse, there is no distinction between “doing” godless chatter, and “hearing” godless chatter. It just says “avoid” it.
Consider the words of Jesus as he spoke to the crowd during the sermon on the mount.
Matthew 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Take a careful look at this verse. It was absolutely “radical” when Jesus said it, and the principle that is implied is equally radical today. The reason it was radical, was that Jesus was saying that you can sin without physically acting out that sin. He was saying, “if you intentionally commit a sin in your mind, then you have sinned.” This was very strange teaching in a day where legalism ruled the day. What is the implication for us today? I believe this principle can be applied to movies, TV, video games, music… you name it. The principle in a nutshell: “if you entertain yourself with sin, then you are sinning, because entertaining yourself is an intentional act.” Of course, not all entertainment is sinful, so there is plenty that is good.
So when we read a verse like…
Ephesians 5: 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
…we should also understand that if we entertain ourselves with these things that we are sinning the same as if we committed these sins in deed.
I want to get practical for you on this subject. Here are some questions to ask yourself about the TV, movies, video games, and music that you entertain yourself with..
1. By watching or listening to this am I allowing sinful thoughts to enter my mind?
(Lust, anger, disrespectfulness, disobedience, violence, bad language, hopelessness, fear etc.) Romans 13:14
2. Does this tempt me to sin? 1 Corinthians 6:18(For example, does exposure to foul language temp you to use it around friends)
3. Is this glorifying sin? (Does this thing make something, that is biblically sinful, out to be something good?) Proverbs 10:23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
(For example: Is the character you root for, a criminal or a wicked person.. When a character makes an immoral choice, is it made out to be the “right thing to do.” Are sinful attitudes, like revenge, made to look right and good.)
4. Does this promote evil or ungodly ways of thinking?
(Hate, anger, dispair, worry, greed, vengeance, destruction, depression, violence, selfishness, deceit, disrespect of authority, infidelity, discontentment, etc.)
Consider what forms of entertainment that this would eliminate.
Part 4
_________________________________________
To view this entire essay in all it's parts click the link below:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd39qkdv_128g6hwg3dr
This filter is to me the most obvious. But when I began to think about it, I realized that this category makes certain assumptions that people may or may not be making. One assumption is that the same standards and convictions that a person has regarding personal behavior (I will not murder someone), are the same as what that person is willing to allow themselves to be entertained with (I will not allow myself to be entertained by murder). This is critical to understand. If entertainment is doing something that brings pleasure (watching a movie, for example), then we should ask ourselves this question:
Is it sinful for me to entertain myself with things that I object to morally?
The other assumption is that the entertainment that we consume has an affect on the way we perceive things and therefore, potentially affects our behavior. For example: Watching movies with excessive vulgarity will tend to cause one to begin imitating that behavior. This concept is difficult to quantify because people are so different, but the bottom line is that we simply cannot “experience” something without it becoming a part of us in some way. That much I can say for certain.
Got a verse? You bet! Check this out…
Timothy 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Notice in this verse, there is no distinction between “doing” godless chatter, and “hearing” godless chatter. It just says “avoid” it.
Consider the words of Jesus as he spoke to the crowd during the sermon on the mount.
Matthew 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Take a careful look at this verse. It was absolutely “radical” when Jesus said it, and the principle that is implied is equally radical today. The reason it was radical, was that Jesus was saying that you can sin without physically acting out that sin. He was saying, “if you intentionally commit a sin in your mind, then you have sinned.” This was very strange teaching in a day where legalism ruled the day. What is the implication for us today? I believe this principle can be applied to movies, TV, video games, music… you name it. The principle in a nutshell: “if you entertain yourself with sin, then you are sinning, because entertaining yourself is an intentional act.” Of course, not all entertainment is sinful, so there is plenty that is good.
So when we read a verse like…
Ephesians 5: 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
…we should also understand that if we entertain ourselves with these things that we are sinning the same as if we committed these sins in deed.
I want to get practical for you on this subject. Here are some questions to ask yourself about the TV, movies, video games, and music that you entertain yourself with..
1. By watching or listening to this am I allowing sinful thoughts to enter my mind?
(Lust, anger, disrespectfulness, disobedience, violence, bad language, hopelessness, fear etc.) Romans 13:14
2. Does this tempt me to sin? 1 Corinthians 6:18(For example, does exposure to foul language temp you to use it around friends)
3. Is this glorifying sin? (Does this thing make something, that is biblically sinful, out to be something good?) Proverbs 10:23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
(For example: Is the character you root for, a criminal or a wicked person.. When a character makes an immoral choice, is it made out to be the “right thing to do.” Are sinful attitudes, like revenge, made to look right and good.)
4. Does this promote evil or ungodly ways of thinking?
(Hate, anger, dispair, worry, greed, vengeance, destruction, depression, violence, selfishness, deceit, disrespect of authority, infidelity, discontentment, etc.)
Consider what forms of entertainment that this would eliminate.
Part 4
_________________________________________
To view this entire essay in all it's parts click the link below:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd39qkdv_128g6hwg3dr
I have just read to page 3 but I need to say thank you. Though I shall search the scriptures for myself to and find my own truth. Thank you for writting this piece. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome. Thanks for reading. I appreciate your comment.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just wanted to let you know I'm very thankful for the posts you've put up on entertainment. I'm actually doing a bible study on this very subject, and found your posts extremely helpful. The question I find I need to honestly ask myself is, "what am I really being entertained by?" most of the time, I do believe it is sin that I am entertained by. I actually was struggling with this question of entertainment a lot recently, and realized that I was trying to justify my entertainment choices, rather than really looking at God's word.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! on a side note, I'm also a graphic designer, very cool meeting another christian designer. press on brutha!