Television

Devotional for July 1, 2011

“Do not be misled:

‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

1 Corintians 15:43

Did your mother ever tell you that it was important to have good friends? It makes sense, right? I mean a bad friend can tempt you to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do. They could even ruin your reputation. Friends can make or break you.

Obviously, God wants us to choose our friends wisely. He wants the best for us. As I read this verse, something else jumped out at me. As Christians, most of us are careful about the sort of people we hang out with and the type of activities we participate in. And yet, every evening in Christian homes across America men and women turn on the television and bring in “friends” who have a less than upright character.

Could television, videos, or movies be corrupting your good character? The Bible tells us to abstain from all types of evil. Paul says,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,

fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,

fractions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before,

that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Galatians 5: 19-21 NIV.

Does that describe much of what is found on television and in the movies? The Bible also says,

“Do not let any unwholesome talk

come out of your mouths…”

Ephesians 4: 29a NIV.

Bad language abounds in much of what Hollywood has to offer us these days. This thought that, “Oh, a little sin won’t hurt,” is a far cry from what God has commanded in His Word. We are told,

“Avoid every kind of evil.”

1 Thessalonians 5: 22 NIV.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

 that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us

 is that it did not know Him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God,

and what we will be has not yet been made known.

But we know that when He appears,

we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,

just as He is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law;

in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that He appeared

so that he might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.

 No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning.

No one who continues to sin

has either seen him or known him.”

 1 John 3: 1- 6

It is important that we choose carefully what we watch on television. Shows and movies that glorify sin do not glorify HIM. Jesus is calling a purified people to be His people. He wants each one of us to “come out of Babylon” and serve Him with pure hearts and minds.

“For God did not call us to be impure,

but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4: 7 NIV.

Are you willing to make the right choice?

Shared by Corinne Mustafa