Christian Entertainment
1. What did Jesus say in Matthew
5:29?
Note: The Saviour recognized that what you see with your eyes can cause
you to end up in the lake of fire. This same principle applies to television,
movies, magazines, and the like. If we lack the power to properly control what
we see or hear, then it would be far better for us to get rid of our T.V. or
VCR rather than allow them to cause us to sin.
2. How are we changed into Christ's image?
2
Corinthians 3:18
Note:
This principle works on
the negative side as well. Films and videos graphically portraying the sins and
crimes of humanity that the multitudes are beholding contribute greatly to the
breakdown of morality, and to the increasing lawlessness we see exhibited
everywhere. A constant diet of violence, immorality, blasphemy, and debauchery
does not a good person make.
3. What did Peter tell us to
"abstain" from?
I Peter 2:11
4. What six things are we to look for when
choosing our entertainment?
Philippians
4:8
Note: Here is the Christian's guideline for
choosing all entertainment, music included. If the movie, video, TV program,
CD, tape, book or magazine is not pure, lovely, honest, true, just and good,
then it is not safe for a believer to see, read, or listen to. The thoughts, sights, and sounds that we take
in become part of us, not to be easily forgotten; and it is these thoughts,
sights, words, and sounds that create feelings and impressions that make up our
character.
5. What
does the Lord's Word tell us to "follow"?
3 John
11
Note: This advice is plain enough, isn't it? In
the book Testimonies, Vol. 6, we find this counsel on page 653:
"Among the most dangerous resorts
for pleasure is the theater... it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious
habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these
entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave
the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such
exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land
more powerful to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the
tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The
love for these scenes increase with every indulgence, as the desire for
intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun
the theater... and every other questionable place of amusement."
The above statement
is amazingly perceptive in explaining the effects of worldly entertainment.
This kind of entertainment is indeed habit-forming and does destroy
religious impressions.
6. What did Peter tell us
to be "holy" in?
I Peter 1:15
7. How does our Heavenly
Father view a "scorner"?
Proverbs 24:9
Note: Almost every situation comedy on television makes the scorner out
to be the hero or one to be admired. The witty, wisecracking, insulting scorner
becomes the one copied by the deceived onlookers. Using "canned
laughter" tracks, the producers tell you when to laugh, and usually it is
just after one of the characters has insulted or belittled another, or said
something irreverent or blasphemous, or else, some low, immoral
"joke"! These are not the kind of things that God's people, who are
waiting for Jesus to return, ought to be laughing at! (see
I Corinthians 13:6)
8. In Psalm 1:1, what
seat are we told not to sit in?
Note: Watching television programs that get their laugh other's
expense, and which scorns virtue are not the kind of
programs that Christians ought to be watching. Remember the
"beholding" principle. By beholding these things, you become like
them. Please take note the following statements from the pen of Ellen White:
"The frequenters of the theatre
and the ballroom [bar,
disco, dance club, etc.] put eternity out of their reckoning. "
Testimonies, Vol. 6, page 407
"Through the drama, Satan has
worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. "
Adventist Home, page 515
"Satan is using every means to
make crime and degrading vice popular. "
Adventist Home, page 406
The Lord allowed those living before
the flood to perish because they were "filled with violence-"
Genesis
People, especially children, imitate
those whom they admire. Many of the "stars" of Hollywood, for all
practical purposes, dictate the fashion, dress, actions, and even the words of
those who are foolish enough to live by who and what's popular, rather than the
unchanging Word of God.
The modern cartoon characters children
watch are crude, abusive, irreverent, greedy and vulgar characters. Children
emulate them and the video stars. The Bible tells us that what we are around,
we will become like; what we watch, listen to, or read will change us.
Polls indicate that many of the
leaders in the entertainment industry are atheists, and a surprising number are
avowed lesbians and homosexuals.
Because of this fact, many young
people are growing up under the media influence of those who do not believe in,
honour, love, or follow the God of Heaven.
What they watch gives the false, subtle idea that prayer, faith,
morality, conversations about Jesus, and other heavenly things are not
"cool." Vice, impure thoughts,
unbridled sex, drugs, dishonesty, mocking, rebellion, blasphemy, and vulgarity
are portrayed as the "norm" in much of modern entertainment. But true Bible students should not be
deceived about these things.
In the book Adventist Home, page 515, we are told
that "The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of
amusement or engage in any division upon which he cannot ask the blessing of
God. "
We cannot ask the blessing of God when we attend films,
plays, or rent videos, or listen to recordings, or read magazines and books
that are filled with violence, immorality, blasphemy, and the like!
9. What did Jesus say about those who were not
"with" Him?
Matthew 12:30
Note: Entertainment that is not for Christ is
therefore against him. They are thus the
spirit of Antichrist. There is no
neutral ground in the Great Controversy!
Either you are for the Lord or against him.
Even "good" shows such as The Cosby Show are
not what they appear to be. We see a happy family, doing just fine without the
Lord in their lives. How many times have you seen them get on their knees to
seek the Lord when they have a problem? We may not think so, but we are
influenced by it.
10. What did Paul say we
cannot do?
I Corinthians 10:21
11. If we
regard iniquity in our hearts, what will the Lord not be able to do?
Psalm
66:18
Note: To regard iniquity in our heart as far as
entertainment is concerned is to allow ourselves to develop a taste for sinful
movies, programs, books, or music. If we choose such things designed by the
enemy of God, we leave our place among God's people and go under the standard
of the enemy!
12. What will
happen to us if we bring abominable or cursed things into our house?
Deuteronomy
7:26
Note: If you already have videos, records,
tapes, CDs, or books that are filled with perversion, violence, the occult, or
antichrist themes, they should be removed from your house and destroyed.
13. What did
those who had these type of materials do with them in
the days of the apostles after they were converted?
Acts
Note: Whatever causes you to sin, get rid of
it! Burn it. Destroy it. It is not worth losing Heaven over.
14. If we say
that we "know" Jesus, then what should we do?
I John 2:6
Note: Jesus said, "Follow Me."
Matthew 4:19. Jesus would not be
found with His ears open to hear profanity. Jesus would not sit open-eyed
watching immorality, vice, murder, blasphemy, violence and debauchery! He would
not pervert His mind with filth and garbage! Jesus would not laugh at one
person insulting another, nor watch music videos, or listen to music filled
with immorality, violence, occultism, and perversion. He would not be entertained
by things filled with sin, perversion, violence, lust and the occult. Not the
Holy One of
We are told to "walk as he
walked." He will give us the
power to do it! But we must first hunger
and thirst after righteousness. He promised, and He always keeps his promises.
15. What did
David determine not to do?
Psalm
101:3-4
Note: The true believer will not set wicked
things before his or her eyes by watching entertainment that contains elements
that are against Heaven. He or she will not "esteem" entertainers
that espouse things against the Lord and His ways.
16. What should
we not follow the majority to do?
Exodus 23:2
17. What will
"evil communications" corrupt?
I
Corinthians 15:33
Note: The word translated
"communications" in this text is the Greek word "homilia,"
which literally means "companionship". To have companionship with what is evil will
definitely corrupt the character. Regarding music, note the following statement
found in Testimonies, Volume 1, pages 496-497:
"I feel alarmed as I witness
everywhere the frivolity of young men and women who profess to believe the
truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with
nonsense.... They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to
excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired...
Oh what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He [Satan] is a skillful charmer leading them on to perdition.
"
18. What determines
my character?
Proverbs
23:7
Note: Our thoughts and feelings make up
our character. Our brain is the most complex computer ever made. When watching
TV or videos, or listening to music, or reading, the question we must ask as
Christians is, "Is this something I want to poison my memory bank with
forever?" because once it enters the mind, it is stored there. Whether
we consciously are aware of it or not, science has confirmed that our brain
stores each scene, event and experience we have ever had.
CONCLUSION
"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who has called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light!"
I Peter 2:9 NAS
Do you choose to follow God's counsel
and choose only edifying things as entertainment so you can glorify him?
My response
to Christ is:______________________________