This study explains clearly when watching television is wrong and when it isn't. It is based rock solid on the word of God. There is nothing deliberately dishonest or deceitful in this study. Its purpose is only to glorify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you notice any errors you may contact us. If you wish to read the Hebrew and the Greek in this study, and you haven't yet installed the fonts, then go to the bible study page and do it now, or alternatively you may download them here as a zip file.

RP 212 WHEN IS WATCHING TELEVISION A SIN?

To navigate this study click on the green references at the left of the study index

#1. WHY IS WATCHING WORLDLY TELEVISION CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE?

Introduction 1: In the beginning God created man in his own image, and gave him dominion on the earth (Gen 1:26-27). However, because "the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance." (Rom 11:29), and "whatever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it;" (Ecc 3:14), generally, whatever God or the devil desire to do down here on the earth now, they have to work through man. God has submitted himself to do this. Therefore, from the day that we are born, both God and the devil have an earnest desire to win our hearts for themselves, because our heart determines our purpose (Dan 1:8; Acts 11:23; 2 Cor 9:7), it devises our way (Pro 16:9; Isa 57:17), our thoughts come from our heart (Mat 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 24:38), our words come from our heart (Pro 16:23; Mat 12:34-35; 15:18-19), and our deeds come from our heart (Pro 4:23; Mat 15:19; Mark 7:21-22; Rom 2:14-15). Ultimately the state of our heart will determine our eternal destiny. Thus whoever we permit to gain control of our heart effectively has control of us, and can work through us. How do they get control of our hearts? By sowing their seed in our hearts from the time we are born, and this is primarily through what we hear (Deut 6:6-7; Pro 18:15; 23:12; 23:19; Eze 3:10; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:15), and what we see (Deut 6:6-9; 11:18-20; Pro 4:20-23; 23:26). We can see how God works through us once he has put his spirit or word in out heart:
(Amos 3:7) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets."
The prophet speaks what God wants to do, and then God creates the fruit of his lips (Isa 57:19). Those who have submitted their hearts to God's control, he then works through:
(Eph 3:20) "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us ."
(Phps 2:13) "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
(Col 1:29) "I also labour, striving according to his working which works in me mightily ."
(1 Thes 2:13) "the word of God, which effectually works in you who believe."
On the other hand, we can see how the devil works through us if he can get his spirit or word in our heart:
(Pro 16:30) "Moving his lips he brings evil to pass."
If the devil can get us to say the wrong thing, then because our words are creative, he can bring evil to pass through what we say (Isa 57:19). Look at these examples:
(John 13:2) "the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him (Jesus):"
(Acts 5:3) "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"
Look how the devil had to place the ideas into their hearts before he could get them to sin! Satan told God concerning Job, "But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 2:5), but then he had to put the idea into someone's heart to get them to speak it. Just as he used eve to get Adam to sin in the garden of Eden (Gen 3:6), Satan then used Job's wife to tell him, "curse God, and die." (Job 2:9). Jesus gave us the answer, and showed us how to walk free from sin when he said that the devil, "has nothing in me." (John 14:30). To walk free from sin then, we need fill our heart with God's word (Psa 119:11), and give no place to the devil's word (Eph 4:27). Those who give no place to God's word simply become, "wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." (Jer 4:22). Here then we have our basis for studying television. Whoever controls the programmes, be it God or the devil, will fill our hearts very quickly if we watch it, because television is a most effective tool for heart transformation, using both the eyes and the ears at the same time to feed information in. Here then are some scriptural reasons why we should not watch worldly television.

#1.02 BECAUSE WE LEARN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL

GENESIS 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Note: The only thing that Adam was told not to do in the garden of Eden was this, "of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:" (Gen 2:17), and the reason was that the knowledge of good and evil was not a good thing to have. They were created pure and holy (Gen 1:31), and refusing the knowledge of good and evil was the only way to stay that way. There is no denying that television presents everybody with the opportunity to learn the knowledge of good and evil, and if God's instruction to a perfect man like Adam was not to obtain that knowledge, then it must still be his instruction for us today. God attaches so much importance to his words that it is written:
(Psa 12:6) "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
(Psa 111:7) "All his commandments are sure."
(Psa 119:86) "All thy commandments are faithful:"
(Psa 119:140) "Thy word is very pure:"
(Psa 119:151) "All thy commandments are truth."
(Psa 119:160) "Thy word is true from the beginning:"
(Psa 119:172) "all thy commandments are righteousness."
(Pro 8:8) "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them."
(Pro 30:5) "Every word of God is pure,"
(John 17:17) "thy word is truth."
In fact God is so particular about every word that he has said, that he will not alter "the thing that is gone out of my lips." (Psa 89:34). He has told us not to add to his words (Deut 4:2; 12:32; Pro 30:6), or suffer the end time plagues (Rev 22:18), nor diminish from them (Deut 4:2; 12:32), or lose our salvation (Rev 22:19; 20:15). God has not changed (Mal 3:6; Jam 1:17), and if he allowed Adam to die for his disobedience, then every one of us who disobeys will die spiritually the same day also. Those who say that learning the knowledge of good and evil does not affect them spiritually, are just confessing that they are spiritually dead already.

#1.04 BECAUSE IT IS BEING CONFORMED TO THE WORLD, OR LOVING THE THINGS IN THE WORLD

ROMANS 12:2 (Paul)
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.

GALATIANS 6:14 (Paul)
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

JAMES 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1 JOHN 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Note: Are the programs that are on television "of God", or "of the world"? Who invented television, was it God, or the world? If God had wanted us to have television, and spend our time watching it, why didn't he give one to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Or failing that, surely Jesus would have invented it, because he came to earth specifically to do God's will (Mat 26:39,42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). The fact is that modern technology is a preparation for the antichrist. Without such things as computers and satellite television etc. it would be impossible for one man to rule the world, and monitor everyone having his mark (Rev 13:18). Television was invented by "the world", for "the world", and literally nothing that secular television produces is godly.

#1.06 BECAUSE IT IS SOWING MIXED SEED IN OUR HEART

LEVITICUS 19:19 (God)
19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and of woollen come upon thee.

Note: In the parable of the tares Jesus is the sower (Mat 13:37). In the parable of the sower, he sows the good seed, which is the word of God (Mark 4:14; Luke 8:11), in the heart of the hearer (Mat 13:19; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12; 8:15), which is the field. According to Paul, "the law is spiritual:" (Rom 7:14), and when we are told, "thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed", we are really being told not to sow our hearts with the knowledge of good and evil. Only by fulfilling the spiritual meaning of commands like this can we fulfil what we are called to do:
(Rom 8:4) "That the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit."
So when we see the knowledge of good and evil by watching television, we are disobeying this command.

#1.08 BECAUSE IT IS A FAILURE TO MEDITATE IN THE WORD OF GOD

JOSHUA 1:8 (God)
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

PSALMS 1:1-3 (David)
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

PROVERBS 4:20-22 (Solomon)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

1 TIMOTHY 4:15
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Note: How much time does God want us to spend in his word? These scriptures show us:
(Pro 4:21) "Let them not depart from thine eyes:"
(Josh 1:8) "thou shalt meditate therein day and night,"
(Psa 1:2) "in the law of the LORD ... meditate day and night."
(1 Tim 4:15) "give thyself wholly to them;"
God has also given us the reason why he wants us to give our time to his words, because:
(Pro 4:22) "They are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh."
(Josh 1:8) "then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
(Psa 1:3) "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
(1 Tim 4:15) "thy profiting may appear to all."
On the other hand, the devil does not want us to have life, or health. Nor does he want us to prosper and have good success, nor does he want our profiting to appear to others. He will use any means that he can to keep us out of God's word, and television is just one of his alternatives.

#1.10 BECAUSE IT IS A FAILURE TO THINK ON THE GOOD THINGS ABOVE

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 (Paul)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

COLOSSIANS 3:1-2 (Paul)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection ¹ on things above, not on things on the earth.

Note 1: When we ask, "What things are true?" we find:
(Psa 119:151) "All thy commandments are truth."
(Psa 119:160) "Thy word is true from the beginning:"
(John 17:17) "thy word is truth."
When we ask, "What things are just or righteous?" we find:
(Psa 119:172) "all thy commandments are righteousness."
(Pro 8:8) "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;"
When we ask, "What things are pure?" we get:
(Psa 12:6) "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
(Psa 119:140) "Thy word is very pure:"
(Pro 30:5) "Every word of God is pure,"
So in this scripture (Phps 4:8) we are really being told to think on God's commandments and his word, and it is essentially the same as the previous section.

Note 2: The word translated Set your affection ¹ (Gr. fronei=te, Gtr. phroneite) is the second person plural, present active imperative of the verb "phroneō", "I think", or "I mind". This word is telling us to "keep on thinking" or "keep our mind" on the things above, and is really agreeing with the previous scripture (Phps 4:8). Now be honest! Are we obeying these scriptures when we listen to worldly television programmes? No way. In fact we will be thinking about earthly things, and setting our minds on things of the earth, exactly what we are told not to do, because the way that we set our minds on things is by watching and hearing. If we think about evil things, then the same is going to go into our hearts (See #1.16; #1.18), and it will affect us. Don't look for the exception:
(Gal 6:7) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

#1.12 BECAUSE WHATEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN

ROMANS 10:17 (Paul)
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

ROMANS 14:23 (Paul)
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Note: When we are watching television, are we receiving faith from God by sowing faith in our hearts? Faith comes from the word of God (Rom 10:17), not by watching worldly television, and the alternative is that we are sowing sin in our hearts, because "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom 14:23). Who then are we pleasing when we watch television, God or the devil?
(Pro 22:8) "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity:"
(Gal 6:7-8) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting."

#1.14 BECAUSE ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN

1 JOHN 5:17
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

Note: When we are watching television, are we sowing righteousness in our hearts? or unrighteousness? Righteousness comes through faith (Rom 3:22; 4:5; 9:30; 10:6; See #1.12), by seeking after it (Psa 24:5-6; Zep 2:3; Mat 5:6; 6:33), and by learning it through God's word (Psa 119:7; Pro 2:1-9; Isa 26:9; 2 Tim 3:16), but the alternative is that we are sowing sin in our hearts, because "All unrighteousness is sin:" (1 John 5:17). If we sow sin in our heart then we will think sin, because our thoughts come from our heart (Mat 9:4; 15:19; Mark 7:21), we will speak sin, because our words come from our heart (Isa 59:13; Mat 12:34; 15:18-19), and we will commit sin, because our deeds come from our heart (Pro 4:23; Mat 15:18-19; Mark 7:21-22). This will bring us condemnation, because we will be judged according to our thoughts (Isa 55:7; Jer 4:14), according to our words (Mat 12:36-37; Titus 2:8), and according to our deeds (Ecc 12:14; Mat 16:27; Rom 2:5-6), in other words, according to the state of our heart. Therefore, take heed:
(Pro 4:23) "Keep thy heart with all diligence;"
(Pro 22:8) "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity:"
(Gal 6:7-8) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting."

#1.16 BECAUSE IT IS SEEING EVIL AND IS CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE

PSALMS 101:3 (David)
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

PSALMS 119:37
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

PROVERBS 25:5 (Solomon)
5 Take away the wicked person from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

ISAIAH 33:15-16
15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

EZEKIEL 6:8-9
8 Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
9 And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither ye shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

JONAH 2:8
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Note 1: Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1; 1:14; Rev 19:13), and though we read the written word, it becomes the "living Word", which is Jesus, when it enters into our heart. Because our eyes are effectively one of our spiritual mouths, and through them the words go into our heart, there are many admonitions to keep the word of God before our eyes:
(Deut 6:6-9) "And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: ... thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. Thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on thy gates."
(Deut 11:18-20) "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. ... And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates;"
(Pro 4:20-21) "My son, attend to my words; ... Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart."
(Pro 23:26) "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."
As long as we do this we are obeying the word of God, but as soon as we stop, and begin to watch television, we have decided that something is more important to us than obeying God.

Note 2: We have just seen the evidence that what we see goes into our hearts, so whatever we continue to look at, this is what we are renewing our minds with, and this is what is going into our hearts. If we look at the wrong things, then our mind will be renewed with the wrong things, our heart will be filled with the wrong things, and we will continue to reinforce the wickedness that is in us. Therefore the word of God warns us not to look at the wrong things:
(Psa 101:3) "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes,"
(Psa 119:37) "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity:"
(Pro 23:32) "look not thou upon the wine when it is red,"
(Isa 33:15-16) "He that ... shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure."
(Eze 14:6) "turn away your faces from all your abominations."
(Mat 5:29) "if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee,"
If we are prepared to obey these scriptures, then we will be denying "our old man" the food he needs to stay alive, and he will gradually die, but if we do not, then be warned:
(Pro 22:8) "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity:"
(Gal 6:7-8) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

#1.18 BECAUSE IT IS HEARING EVIL AND IS CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE

PROVERBS 9:6 (Solomon)
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

ISAIAH 33:15-16
15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

MARK 4:24 (Jesus to his disciples)
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Note: Elihu indicated that our ears were equivalent to one of our spiritual mouths when he said, "the ear trieth words as the mouth tasteth meat." (Job 34:3). The fact that what we keep on hearing repeatedly goes into our heart is revealed through several scriptures:
(Pro 22:17) "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge."
(Pro 23:12) "Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."
(Pro 23:19) "Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way."
(Eze 3:10) "all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears."
(Mat 13:19) "one heareth the word of the kingdom ... that which was sown in his heart."
(Mark 4:15) "when they have heard ... the word that was sown in their hearts."
(Luke 8:12) "they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts,"
(Luke 8:15) "which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,"
All these scriptures are encouragement to keep on hearing the word of God so that we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind, from "the old man", into "the new man", which is Jesus. But are we doing this when we watch television? Unless we are watching a God inspired programme, such as a spiritual service, or scriptural preaching message, then the answer is no. Consequently, if we keep on hearing the wrong things, we are feeding "the old man", and reinforcing the wickedness in us, whereas what we need to do, is to stop hearing the wrong things altogether, starve "the old man", so that he will gradually get weaker and die. Thus there are admonitions in the word of God not to hear the wrong things:
(Psa 101:7) "he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."
(Isa 33:15-16) "He that ... stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, ... He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure."
(Mark 4:24) "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you:"
(Luke 8:18) "Take heed therefore how ye hear:"
This latter scripture is for those who cannot avoid hearing the wrong thing at times, and is telling us "don't keep on hearing it", because repeated hearing is what causes it to affect our hearts. There is no way that watching television will fulfil these scriptures, and if we are to survive in the spiritual wilderness that we are in, then we need to stop feeding our spirits on the unprofitableness of the world, and obey the word of God.

#1.20 BECAUSE IT IS SPIRITUAL ADULTERY

JAMES 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Note: When a woman who has a husband, goes with another man, and is intimate with him, allowing him to sow his seed in her womb, we know that that is adultery. In a spiritual sense we are considered to be married to Christ (Rom 7:4), and when we are seeing or hearing the word of God, we are being intimate with him, and allowing him to sow his seed in our heart, which is our spiritual womb. Compare the parable of the tares, where Jesus is the sower (Mat 13:37), and the parable of the sower, where he sows the good seed, which is the word of God (Mark 4:14; Luke 8:11), in the hearts of the hearers (Mat 13:19; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12; 8:15). The enemy who sowed the bad seed was the devil (Mat 13:39), so when we sit and watch evil on the television, such as fornication, violence, deceit, hypocrisy, fear, etc., we are allowing the devil to sow his seed in our hearts, and that is committing spiritual adultery with him.
(Exo 20:14) "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
(1 Cor 6:9-10) "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; ... nor adulterers ... shall inherit the kingdom of God."
(Gal 5:19-21) "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery ... they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

#1.22 BECAUSE WE BECOME A PARTAKER OF THEIR SINS

1 TIMOTHY 5:22 (Paul)
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

REVELATION 18:4-5 (John)
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Note: If we watch television, and we pay a licence fee, or rental, then we need to ask the question, "What is the money that we pay out used for?" If it goes to a television company, then it is going towards the production of all the wicked programmes that it produces. If they show pornography, violence, murder, horror, rape, theft, witchcraft, or any other wickedness, then our money is being used to produce these programmes. We might say, "Well, I don't watch that type of thing", but some people do, and our money is going to produce the very things that are corrupting the world today. How should we feel about that? Each of us must examine our own conscience concerning this. The benefit that we may get from watching such things as the God channel, must be weighed against the cost to others. Sadly, some Christians are spending more money each year promoting the wickedness of the world by such means, than they do on promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ. How does God feel about that? How will we answer our Lord on judgement day if people have gone to hell because they have been corrupted by programmes that have been financed with our money?

#2. OBJECTIONS TO PARTICULAR TYPES OF PROGRAMME

Introduction 2: Many Christians agree that television is generally bad, yet they still have one in their house because they like to watch particular programmes, which they see no harm in. Therefore, in this section, we will examine some of the popular programmes in the light of scripture, and see why they should be rejected by sincere Christians.

#2.1 THE NEWS

Introduction 2.1: Of all the programmes that Christians watch on television, the news seems to be the most popular. They argue that they want to know what is going on in the world so that they can see how it fulfils prophecy. They reason that if they don't watch it, they may miss out on some vital information. However, the word of God tells us:
(Pro 3:5) "lean not unto thine own understanding."
(Pro 3:7) "Be not wise in thine own eyes:"
(Pro 23:4) "cease from thine own wisdom."
God has never told us to get our information from the secular media, who are spiritually blind to the truth, and he will not allow faithful and obedient children of his to "miss out" through being obedient to his word. However, because of the popularity of this particular programme, the scriptural opposition to watching the news will now be set out.

#2.11 Tale-bearing is forbidden

LEVITICUS 19:16 (God)
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

PROVERBS 11:13 (Solomon)
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

PROVERBS 18:8 (Solomon)
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

PROVERBS 20:19 (Solomon)
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

PROVERBS 26:20-22 (Solomon)
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Note: "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:" (Lev 19:16), ought to be enough to show any sincere Christian that tale bearing is wrong. It is contrary to a faithful spirit (Pro 11:13), it wounds the innermost parts of the heart (Pro 18:8), the "belly" being figurative of the spiritual heart (John 7:38), and it is a direct cause of strife (Pro 26:20). Notice that where strife is, "there is confusion and every evil work." (Jam 3:16). So as tale bearing causes strife, it must also produce confusion, and every evil work, and it is motivated by hate, not love (Pro 10:12). Newscasters are nothing more than professional tale-bearers, they tell tales about anyone and everyone that they are expected to, and sincere Christians ought not to listen to such things. Nothing good can come of it, because a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit (Mat 7:17-18; Luke 6:43), so why bother with it at all? If it is because we enjoy it, then we ought to note the principle in the word of God:
(Rom 1:32) "they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

#2.12 It may stop us from sowing and reaping

ECCLESIASTES 11:4 (Solomon)
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

Note: This scripture shows that when people look at the circumstances around them, it can stop them from doing what they should do. In a spiritual sense, sowing is spreading the word of God, and reaping is seeing souls brought into the kingdom of God. We need to be aware that the devil will use any means he can, including news bulletins, to deter Christians from doing God's will. We should be guided by God's word, not news bulletins:
(Psa 119:105) "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

#2.13 They that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, not those led by the news bulletins

ROMANS 8:14 (Paul)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God

Note: This really goes hand in hand with the previous sections (See #2.11; #2.12), because words are spirit as Jesus said (John 6:63), and if we are truly sons of God, then we are led by the spirit of God, and not by the news bulletins. God has his own way of communicating with his people through his spirit (1 Cor 2:11), and he needs no other method, otherwise we might ask, how did the apostles survive without television? No brothers and sisters, God doesn't need newscasters, but the devil is making much use of them, and we ought not to listen to the devil's words, that was Eve's first error (Gen 3:1-3).

#2.14 We are admonished to think on good things

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 (Paul)
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Note: This scripture has been examined earlier (See #1.10 Note 1) and we have shown that it involves thinking about the word of God. Now be honest! Are we obeying this scripture when we listen to and watch the news? No way. The news is almost entirely evil, usually if it is not "bad news" it is not news at all. If we spend time watching, hearing, and meditating on evil things, then the same is going to go into our hearts and it will affect us. Don't look for the exception:
(Gal 6:7) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

#2.15 Don't get entangled with the affairs of this life

PROVERBS 26:17 (Solomon)
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

2 TIMOTHY 2:4 (Paul)
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Note: The news is invariably about the affairs of this life, which we are here told not to get entangled with. The one sure way to avoid it is not to watch it! Otherwise we may get entangled in thinking about it, in conversation about it, or even doing something about it. This will not please God if we are one of his chosen soldiers. Look at two examples:

Example 1: Jehoshaphat was basically a good king, he walked in the ways of David (2 Chr 17:3), he had prepared his heart to seek God (2 Chr 19:3), sought God (2 Chr 17:4), walked in God's commandments (2 Chr 17:4), and removed the groves and the high places out of the land of Judah (2 Chr 17:6; 19:3). He gave good instruction to the judges which he set in the land (2 Chr 19:5-7), and he gave good instruction to the Levites also (2 Chr 19:8-11). He trusted God in battle against the Moabites and Ammonites, which resulted in a great victory (2 Chr 20:1-30), and generally did right in the sight of God (2 Chr 20:31-32). However, he made a foolish alliance to help Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, in his conflict against the king of Syria (2 Chr 18:1-3). He meddled with strife which did not belong to him (Pro 26:17), and being temporarily spiritually blinded because of his error, he ignored the prophecy of defeat by Micaiah (2 Chr 18:18-22), and went to help Ahab in battle (2 Chr 18:28-29). For this error he not only almost lost his life (2 Chr 18:31), because "a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Pro 13:20), but the wrath of God was upon him (2 Chr 19:2). It seems he did not learn his lesson from this, because later he joined himself in a different venture with Ahaziah, another wicked king of Israel (2 Chr 20:35-36), but just like his first venture in partnership with Ahab, this one was also a complete disaster. The reason was, "because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah," (2 Chr 20:37). What does it mean for us today? Simply this, God does not like his people associating themselves in any venture, or cause, or purpose, with the wicked of the world. If we do it, then the same God that caused Jehoshaphat's ventures to fail, and brought wrath upon him, will also cause ours to fail, and bring wrath upon us. He will be more displeased with us though, because we have the evidence of Jehoshaphat's errors for an example. As far as watching the news is concerned, even though we may not get involved physically, we may still get mentally and emotionally involved in affairs of this life which we should not be thinking about.

Example 2: Josiah was a very good king of Judah. He was only eight years old when he began to reign, but he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Kin 22:1-2; 2 Chr 34:1). He sought God while he was still young (2 Chr 34:3), he destroyed the groves and the carved images, and cleansed Jerusalem and Judah from idolatry (2 Chr 34:3-5). He cleansed the temple from perversion and idolatry (2 Kin 23:4-12), and gave instructions to repair it (2 Kin 22:3-7; 2 Chr 34:8-12). He showed great concern about the disobedience of his forefathers when the book of the law was found (2 Chr 34:14-28), and was humble and tender hearted towards God (2 Kin 22:19; 2 Chr 34:27). He made a covenant with God to keep the law, and made the people join with it also (2 Chr 34:29-33). He kept the Passover (2 Kin 23:21-23; 2 Chr 35:1-19), and instructed the priests and Levites concerning their work (2 Chr 35:2-6). He removed the spiritualists and mediums out of the land (2 Kin 23:24), and he executed the idolatrous priests who sacrificed on the high places (2 Kin 23:20). He was such a good king that it is said about him:
(2 Kin 23:25) "And like unto him there was no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him."
However, Josiah made one fatal mistake. He "meddled with strife belonging not to him" (Pro 26:17), and "entangled himself with an affair of this life;" (2 Tim 2:4), when he went out to war against Pharoah-Nechoh (2 Chr 35:20). He ignored the warning not to meddle (2 Chr 35:21-22), he was wounded by the archers, and died (2 Chr 35:23-24). The warning for us today is clear. When we watch these things on the news, we are doing the same in our heart as Josiah did in the flesh, and God has not changed (Hos 4:6; Jam 1:17).

#2.16 Don't be a busybody in other men's matters

JOHN 21:20-22
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

1 PETER 4:15
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

Note: The news is all about other people's matters, isn't it? and here we are told not to be a busybody in such things. While we are looking into other peoples affairs we are not concentrating on the things that God expects from us, and Jesus did not let Peter get away with it when he asked, "Lord, and what shall this man do?" (John 21:21). His answer to us today would be the same as it was then to Peter, "what is that to thee? Follow thou me." (John 21:22). Are not these scriptures a clear instruction not to watch the news?

#2.2 SPORT

#2.21 Contention is based on pride

PROVERBS 13:10
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Note 1: The original sin of the devil was pride, when his heart was lifted up because of his beauty (Eze 28:17), and this pride caused him to exalt himself:
(Isa 14:12-14) "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high."
This self-exaltation is exactly what we see in sports personalities. They are all trying to exalt themselves above other people, trying to beat them in competition, and to prove that they are better than others. Like the devil they are wanting to become like little "gods". They do it for the admiration and worship of other people, and they are often called "idols". This idea of one man being exalted above others is the spirit of antichrist, and is preparing people for the coming of "the Antichrist", when one man will be worshipped by the whole world (Rev 13:4). These people are not motivated by God, they are imitators of the devil, and by drawing worship to themselves, they are drawing it away from God. When Christians enjoy sports of any type, they are enjoying the works of Satan. When God spoke to Job about Leviathon (who is figurative of the devil) he said, "he is a king over all the children of pride." (Job 41:34). As pride comes only by contention (Pro 13:10), then the devil is king over all contentious people. That includes sports people, because they are doing his will. Why then would a Christian get any pleasure out of watching the devil's people exalting themselves, and imitating the devil? If we watch these things, and admire them for what they do, then we are worshipping idols in our heart, and that will become a stumbling-block to us and cause problems (Eze 14:1-5). If the works of the devil give us any pleasure, then there is something wrong with our spiritual condition, and it will lead to problems if we do not repent:
(Isa 14:15) "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
(Jam 4:6) "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
A man might say, "I don't take part in any sports, I only watch it", but the judgement is still the same:
(Rom 1:32) "they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Note 2: Look at some scriptural examples of people trying to exalt themselves:
    (1) In Numbers chapter 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, together with another 250 princes of Israel, exalted themselves against Moses and Aaron (vv1-4). God judged it, and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were swallowed up into the earth (vv31-33), while the other 250 men were consumed by fire (v35).
    (2) In Numbers chapter 12, Miriam and Aaron exalted themselves against Moses, but when God judged it Miriam became leprous (v12).
    (3) Goliath was a giant of the Philistines who exalted himself above all Israel (1 Sam 17:8-10), but he was killed by a mere boy who had faith in God (1 Sam 17:48-51).
    (4) Jesus' disciples strove among themselves who should be the greatest (Luke 22:24), but Jesus taught them, "he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." (Luke 22:26).
These examples show us that it is wrong to exalt ourselves against anybody, but especially against people who are appointed by God. Sports people are always exalting themselves against each other, and this is wrong in God's sight. Even if we are not taking part, but just interested in it, or take pleasure in it, then the love for it is in our heart, and that is what God judges (1 Sam 16:7).
(1 John 2:15-17) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life , is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

#2.22 Don't learn their ways

DEUTERONOMY 18:9-12
9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

PSALMS 106:34-36
34 They did not destroy the nations concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

PROVERBS 22:24-25 (Solomon)
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Note: When Israel went into the promised land, they often destroyed their enemies completely (Num 21:33-35; Deut 2:31-34; Josh 6:21; 10:28-37), but sometimes they didn't do it (Psa 106:34). The end result was that they learned their ways (Deut 18:9; Psa 106:35) and were often ensnared by it, being defeated by their enemies (Judg 2:11-15; 3:5-8; 3:12-14; 4:1-3; 6:1-6; 10:6-14; 13:1). The lessons are here in the scripture for our learning, and if we learn the ways of the world, contrary to God's command, "Learn not the way of the heathen," (Jer 10:2), then we will end up suffering the consequences of it. What can we learn from watching sport?
    (1) That physical skill, fitness, and strength is the way to win? Paul said, "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" (1 Cor 1:27). Jesus was our example, and "he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phps 2:8).
    (2) To have faith in ourselves and our team-mates, rather than in God? "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." (Psa 143:3).
    (3) That success will cause us to give glory to men, or receive it from them? If we wish to glory, we should glory in knowing God (Jer 9:24; 1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17).
All this is forsaking God, and if we do it, he will forsake us (Deut 31:16-17; 2 Chr 15:1-2; 2 Chr 24:20).

#2.23 Don't incline your heart to it

PSALMS 141:4 (David)
4 Incline not mine heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Note: How do we incline our heart to something? One way is by looking at it. Look at these examples:
    (1) Eve inclined her heart to the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden when she "saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes," (Gen 3:6), and look what a disaster that brought on the whole of mankind.
    (2) Achan inclined his heart towards the forbidden spoils of Jericho by looking at them. He said, "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Baylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, I coveted them, and took them;" (Josh 7:21), and his error cost the lives of thirty six others (Josh 7:5) as well as his own (Josh 7:25).
    (3) David's heart was inclined towards Bathsheba when "he saw a woman washing herself;" (2 Sam 11:2), which led him into adultery (2 Sam 11:4), murder (2 Sam 11:15), and all the consequences which followed (2 Sam 12:10-14).
So what do we incline our hearts to when we watch sport on the television? Is it not to the pride which motivates all contentious people?
(Pro 13:10) "Only by pride cometh contention;"
If we enjoy watching people motivated by pride, then it shows that there is pride in our hearts, and we need to repent, because "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (Jam 4:6). Pride was the original sin of the devil (See #2.21 Note 1), and we need to remove every trace of it from our lives if we expect God to bless us, and to use us in a mighty way.

#2.24 Man's strength gives God no pleasure

1 SAMUEL 2:9
9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

PSALMS 147:10-11
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

EZEKIEL 34:16
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgement.

Note: God takes no pleasure in our strength (Psa 147:10), we cannot prevail by it (1 Sam 2:9), and he will ultimately destroy us if we trust in it (Eze 34:16). God's will is that we seek for his strength (1 Chr 16:11), which is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9), for when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in him (2 Cor 12:10; Heb 11:34). How then is sport going to please God? People trying to exalt themselves, to show that they are better or stronger than others, are never going to please him. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and we shouldn't be either, because if we do it we commit sin (James 2:9), and God does not want this. The first of the ten commandments reads, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exo 20:3), but once we begin to admire these sports personalities, we are not only admiring the works of the devil, but we are giving our admiration and worship to someone other than God. Sports personalities are called "idols". Admiration of them is idolatry, and no idolater has "any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Eph 5:5).

#2.25 Admonitions to keep away from

PROVERBS 4:14-15 (Solomon)
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

PROVERBS 9:6 (Solomon)
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; go in the way of understanding.

PROVERBS 12:11 (Solomon)
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

PROVERBS 13:20 (Solomon)
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

PROVERBS 14:7
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the words of knowledge.

Note: When we sit down to watch sport, whose company are we in? Are we not in the company of all those who are watching the same thing? If not physically so, we are in our heart, and in our heart we enter the path of the wicked, we go in the way of evil men (Pro 4:14), we stand in the way of sinners (Psa 1:1), and we keep company with foolish people (Pro 9:6; 13:20). God's word is "true from the beginning:" (Psa 119:160), so we must expect the consequences that go with it.

#2.3 FILMS AND PLAYS

JONAH 2:8
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

ROMANS 1:32 (Paul)
32 Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them.

REVELATION 21:8 (John)
8 But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Note 1: Hypocrisy A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something that he isn't. The Greek word for an actor (Gr. u(pokrith&j, Gtr.hupokrites) is where our word "hypocrite" comes from. All actors are hypocrites, they all pretend to be someone that they are not. The purpose of the pretence is to deceive people into believing that they actually are the person that they portray; this is the aim of every "good" actor. The word "pretend" means "to claim or assert falsely so as to deceive", and obviously false assertions and deception are the work of the devil. Their fate is clear from scripture:
(Job 8:13) "the hypocrites hope shall perish."
(Job 13:16) "an hypocrite shall not come before him (God)."
(Job 15:34) "the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate,"
(Job 36:13) "the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath:"
(Mat 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
The watching of films and plays is the watching of hypocrisy; so why should a Christian take any pleasure in this? Sincerity, the opposite of hypocrisy, is what Christians are called to observe:
(Josh 24:14) "fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth:"
(2 Cor 2:7) "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity , but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
(Eph 6:24) "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity . Amen."
(Phps 1:10) "that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;"
(Titus 2:7) "In all things showing thyself a pattern of ... sincerity ."
The scriptural principle is that the fate of those who love watching will be similar to those doing it:
(Rom 1:32) "knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Note 2: A lie. All fictional plays and films are lies, which are the work of the devil. The word fiction means based on falsehood , and Jesus said of the devil, "he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44). God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and Jesus told us to be like him, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Mat 5:48). The word of God gives us much instruction against lying:
(Exo 20:16) "Thou shalt not bear false witness"
(Lev 11:1) "Ye shall not ... lie one to another."
(Pro 6:16-19) "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ... a lying tongue ... A false witness that speaketh lies,"
(Pro 12:22) "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord:"
(Luke 18:20) "Do not bear false witness,"
While Jesus gave us two great commandments, to love God and our neighbour (Mat 22:37-39), lying is an expression of hate:
(Pro 26:28) "A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it;"
The fate of all liars is clear:
   (A) Punishment in this life:
(Pro 19:9) "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."
   (B) Exclusion from the New Jerusalem:
(Rev 21:27) "there shall no wise enter into it anything that ... maketh a lie:"
(Rev 22:15) "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."
   (C) Damnation in the lake of fire:
(Rev 21:8) "all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Will a true Christian have anything to do with this? Notice that those who love lies are classed the same as those who tell them (Rev 22:15), and the scriptural principle is that their fate will be similar:
(Rom 1:32) "Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

#2.4 COMEDY

PROVERBS 17:5 (Solomon)
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.

ECCLESIASTES 7:3-4 (Solomon)
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

LUKE 6:21, 25 (Jesus)
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

LUKE 8:14 (Jesus)
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

EPHESIANS 5:3-4 (Paul)
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

1 TIMOTHY 3:8 (Paul)
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1 TIMOTHY 3:11 (Paul)
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

1 TIMOTHY 5:6 (Paul)
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

2 TIMOTHY 3:4 (Paul)
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

TITUS 2:1-2 (Paul)
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Note: We must first ask, "What kind of comedy are we watching?" If it is a film or play, then at least we are involved in the hypocrisy of it (See #2.3 Note 1), and in the lie of it (See #2.3 Note 2). Then we must ask, What is funny about what we are watching? Some films are funny because they portray a series of calamities that happen to someone, but this is not something that a Christian should be happy to see (Pro 17:5). Perhaps we find jokes funny, but Paul said, "let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints;" (Eph 5:3), so this should not give us any pleasure either. Jokes are usually an untrue story, which either describes a calamity, or involves a double meaning. They are told to incite laughter, which the scriptures depict as not being good (Ecc 7:3-4; Luke 6:25). In fact, "the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." (Ecc 7:4), and that is where we are when we watch these things. Real people of God are meant to be grave, sober, or serious (1 Tim 3:2; 3:8; 3:11; Titus 2:2), and the saying, "It's no joke", really means, "It's serious". So joking is really the opposite of what we ought to do or enjoy as Christians, and if we find any pleasure in jokes then there is something wrong in our hearts.

#3. Conclusion

If we intend to fulfil God's will for our lives then we must prepare for it. Our heart must be solidly grounded in the word of God, and when we become Christians we need to have our minds renewed with it (Rom 12:2). The Devil will do anything that he can to stop us from renewing our minds. Therefore he has filled the world with various forms of "entertainment" for people to become interested in. Television is one of the devices that the devil uses a lot. Even if we are too old, or too weak, or not skilled enough to actually take part in many of his evils, he can still get us to do these things in our heart by watching them on television. The way out is to repent, and part of that is to destroy all association with past evil practices (Josh 7:11-12; Isa 27:9; Acts 19:18-19). I encourage every Christian to destroy all association with worldly television, and even if that means destroying the television, then do it. Then spend your time doing what God wants you to do (Josh 1:8; Psa 1:2; Pro 4:20-22; 1 Tim 4:15), and may God bless all who honour his word.

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This is the end of this Bible Study about when Watching Television is a sin