As we began this look at the subject of entertainment, I said that the key verse for this study would be:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
The articles that I have written up to this point have been concentrating on the last part of that verse, (Avoid…evil). The reason for this is because I believe we are surrounded and bombarded with worldly entertainment that is numbing us to immorality. You may have noticed that there are more and more “reality” type shows that encourage us to become addicted. Video games are designed to be addictive and music, by its very nature is addictive. I’ve already said that I don’t believe that all entertainment is sin, but I do believe that it’s time Christians took a fresh look at the entertainment we consume and put all of it to the test of scripture.
This final “filter” that we will look at today is, I believe, the best way to evaluate entertainment. It’s almost as if this was put in the bible specifically for this very purpose. Instead of looking strictly at what to avoid, and risk legalism, today we will look at what we should pursue! If you don’t remember anything up to this point remember the Philippians 4:8 filter. When choosing entertainment look for things that resemble the characteristics listed in this verse.
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.
True - Promotes biblical truth.
Noble - Known to be honorable and respectable
Right - Regarded as upright, righteous, virtuous, innocent, and without fault.
Pure - Absence of evil, modest, clean. Nothing inappropriate.
Lovely - Generally acceptable or pleasing.
Admirable - Deserving the highest praise.
Excellent - Having moral excellence.
Praiseworthy - Worthy of admiration.
What we choose to put into our minds become the things that we think about. It is God’s will that we dwell on things that pass this test. Did you notice that this list could be a description of God himself?
I hope you have enjoyed this “rabbit trail” study. We will now get back to 2 Peter. But before we go, I want to leave you with a disclaimer and a couple of parting verses.
DISCLAIMER:
I want to make it abundantly clear that I do not believe that our entertainment choices should be a legalistic method to holiness. It should come from a heart desire to please and obey our Heavenly Father and to help others to see the power of God in our lives.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Psalm 101:3
I will set no sinful thing in front of my eyes.
_________________________________________
To view this entire essay in all it's parts click the link below:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd39qkdv_128g6hwg3dr
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
The articles that I have written up to this point have been concentrating on the last part of that verse, (Avoid…evil). The reason for this is because I believe we are surrounded and bombarded with worldly entertainment that is numbing us to immorality. You may have noticed that there are more and more “reality” type shows that encourage us to become addicted. Video games are designed to be addictive and music, by its very nature is addictive. I’ve already said that I don’t believe that all entertainment is sin, but I do believe that it’s time Christians took a fresh look at the entertainment we consume and put all of it to the test of scripture.
This final “filter” that we will look at today is, I believe, the best way to evaluate entertainment. It’s almost as if this was put in the bible specifically for this very purpose. Instead of looking strictly at what to avoid, and risk legalism, today we will look at what we should pursue! If you don’t remember anything up to this point remember the Philippians 4:8 filter. When choosing entertainment look for things that resemble the characteristics listed in this verse.
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.
True - Promotes biblical truth.
Noble - Known to be honorable and respectable
Right - Regarded as upright, righteous, virtuous, innocent, and without fault.
Pure - Absence of evil, modest, clean. Nothing inappropriate.
Lovely - Generally acceptable or pleasing.
Admirable - Deserving the highest praise.
Excellent - Having moral excellence.
Praiseworthy - Worthy of admiration.
What we choose to put into our minds become the things that we think about. It is God’s will that we dwell on things that pass this test. Did you notice that this list could be a description of God himself?
I hope you have enjoyed this “rabbit trail” study. We will now get back to 2 Peter. But before we go, I want to leave you with a disclaimer and a couple of parting verses.
DISCLAIMER:
I want to make it abundantly clear that I do not believe that our entertainment choices should be a legalistic method to holiness. It should come from a heart desire to please and obey our Heavenly Father and to help others to see the power of God in our lives.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Psalm 101:3
I will set no sinful thing in front of my eyes.
_________________________________________
To view this entire essay in all it's parts click the link below:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd39qkdv_128g6hwg3dr
Chris, Thanks for this study. Well done and easy to understand. I appreciate it. I came across this while working on a Sunday School lesson for my class. I have found it very useful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the time, study and work you have put into sharing this with us. I really appreciate it. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. Stumbled across this series just when I needed it. Much thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love to hear that this study has helped others as much as it helped me as I wrote it. I occasionally re-read the entire thing to remind myself of these principles. It's so easy just to get caught up in this world's entertainment. Thanks very much for the comment.
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