GUEST ARTICLE

The Television Set

The World in Your Home

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world ..." (1 John 2:15).

Among the world's amusements, television is a great villain on the highway of time. It is rocking people to sleep morally and spiritually. Its sinister force of evil has crept into the living rooms of countless homes. Revolting scenes of lust and crime have gained foothold in the sanctity of the home. This danger far outweighs even the more obvious evils around us because it is right in the home and has parental approval.

Most parents have never thought of taking their children to nightclubs, theaters, and other places of filthy and questionable amusement, yet these same entertainments are paraded in front of young and old and are brought right into the home. Satan has scored a tremendous victory! Has anything ever equaled it for destroying the youth of many countries and doing it so thoroughly? It is an established fact that what goes through the eye gate makes a vivid impression.

Regular TV fare includes bloody scenes of holdups, fights, murder, drinking, smoking, dancing, and scantily clad men and women. Indeed, the moral and spiritual lives of many are at stake. A steady diet of brutal crime and violence, sponsored by ungodly men, is fed to millions not having the moral will to resist. Many TV viewers concede that there is much that is wrong with television, but seek to justify it by the good that is presented such as religious services, educational programs, news events, weather, and markets. When a bad program comes on they really do intend to turn it off, but often the effort is not made. Much valuable time is wasted in front of the TV. The Bible warns against such waste when it says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15,16).

Innocent children are following the example set by parents. With very little thought of the consequences, parents allow the television set, with its powerful influence, a prominent place in the home. It becomes a baby-sitting service to free parents to pursue some other interest of the moment. The kind of fear and horror portrayed on television is not needed in any home; rather, a godly fear and respect should be taught.

Many of our judges, magistrates, and educators are alarmed at the damage television programs are doing. Children have become so absorbed in the fantasy world of television that some schools have initiated special programs for kindergarten children to teach them to relate to the real world.

Television programs are becoming more degenerated. Family life is being degraded. Scenes involving divorce, adultery, and abortions are depicted as being normal. Satellite receivers bring in the smut and pornography of other lands as well. Video cassette recorders enable one to record the scenes of shame which were broadcast while one was away and to replay them at a convenient time, or to play a rented X-rated movie. Twenty-four hour sports programs are offered which keep the mind off of the realities of life.

All God-fearing parents should help sound the alarm! Satan has moved into the home in the guise of television. Where are the peaceful and intimate conversations so essential to family unity and welfare? Where are the prayerful and soul inspiring times of singing that father, mother, son, and daughter enjoyed? Many are robbed of the finer and nobler blessings of life by feeding on the husks the cold world offers instead. The sensational, the jazz, and junk will never truly satisfy and make up for what is already lost-a quiet home life where God is first and foremost. It would be very difficult for a home having television to maintain an environment that makes for clean and virtuous Christian living-the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, etc. (Philippians 4:8).

We are in the last days. The judgment of God will soon fall upon a pleasure-seeking race. Because sin and iniquity abound, the love of many is waxing cold (Matthew 24:12). When the day of grace is past there will be no cure, no amending of ways. Better to be without a television set than to speed God's wrath and to be called into account for failing to teach our children the way they should go. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

As we read of such disturbing and frightening facts, does there not come to our hearts an invitation to better things and greater happiness? "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord" (2 Corinthians 6:17). God's plan for our enjoyment is one that takes us away from the corruption so prevalent in the world and draws us close to His side where we will find inner contentment and satisfaction. True joy is not found in excitement and momentary gratification but rather in the lasting treasure of peace of mind and heart. Dear reader, let us respond to God's invitation by loosing ourselves from all that destroys and corrupts. Let us hold to that which brings true values, love, and happiness into our hearts and homes.

--Author unknown

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