CHRISTIANS' PET SIN
 
What is it? Gambling? Liquor, white collar crime, sexual immorality?
No. It is the use of television.
What began as a scientific breakthrough in the late 40's with the
promise of much good for mankind, has now been used of Satan as an
insidious purveyor of filth, obscenity, perversion, violence, and
liberal left-wing ideology.
The proliferation of television sets in America has become widespread.
Now one could pass by even the poorest of welfare recipients any night
of the week, and see the flickering of the TV through the window. He
would be undoubtedly watching his favorite filth in living color in
the same way as the wealthy. One may do without a telephone or an
automobile, but to be without a television would be unthinkable! Many
homes have several sets to have more convenient access to their
favorite sin.
 
TIME AS A MEASURE
How can it be called a favorite or pet sin? The average television
watcher now sits entranced for 7.2 hours per day enjoying his lust,
violence. or perversion of all that is right and decent. If one's
favorite activity would be measured by what he does voluntarily, by
choice, and by length of time involved; watching television is the
clear winner.
 
DISTINCTIVES OF CHRISTIANS
Bible Christianity has distinctives. Bible Christians are commanded by
Scripture to not love the world, or the things in the world (I John
2:15), to be uncontaminated by the world around us (ll Peter3:14),to
live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15). to abstain from fleshly lusts (I Peter
2:11), to abstain from even the appearance of evil (I Thessalonians
5:22). Believers are to jealously guard their thought life to ensure
it is approved of God (Philippians 4:8), bringing captive every
thought into obedience to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).
 
DISTINCTIVES OF TELEVISION
Television also has distinctives, and they are vigorously contrary to
the above. Producers and sponsors attempt to out-do competitors shows
with profanity, blasphemy, obscenity, violence, loose, low-life
living, nudity, perversion and so on. This should not be surprising.
As a group, the moguls of the television industry are among the most
unbelieving, unchurched, blasphemous, anti-God infidels of
professional groups. If they want to live this way, well and good.
However, you and I both know that their life-style and ideas will
creep into and become a part of their TV productions. Our Savior has
said whatever is in our heart will come out in our life-style (Matthew
7:15-20) These actors, producers, directors and sponsors are regularly
spewing out filthy productions that are wholly consistent with their
evil hearts. To put it another way, we will not get clean, decent,
moral, character-building television programming from bad people.
 
CHRISTIANS DO THIS?
Christians do not indulge in Hollywood cesspool movies, rock music,
drug parties, wife-swapping, sodomite steam baths, mixed swimming,
nude shows, prostitutes, etc. They shun these wicked pleasures of the
world, nor would they allow their children to participate in this
wickedness. Yet in the privacy of Christian homes all of the above
evil practices are on TV in full color, extolled; held up as proper
and acceptable behavior and encouraged. Bible Christianity on the
other hand is mocked, scorned and made an object of derision. Even the
so-called good shows attack Bible values. The news programming has a
palpable leftist, liberal slant to the point one could wonder if
Moscow sometimes prepares the newscasts. The time-wasting sports keep
countless Christians out of church on the Lord's Day and many others
from Bible reading, family altar and prayer. One looks in vain to
discover redeeming features of this medium of mass media that has
become so wicked that it is so thoroughly enjoyed by the world and now
has become the pet sin of Christians
 
LET US FACE FACTS
Honestly now, after having watched your favorite TV show. did you
rise, stretch and remark, "this has made me a better Christian", or "I
am closer to God after having watched that." Have you noticed your
children developing more of an interest in the Bible; witnessing and
standing alone for Christ after the steady diet of television you have
permitted them to watch? What would Christ say if He were to watch TV
over your shoulder as you enjoy your favorite broadcasts? What is your
son thinking as he watches naked women? What are you thinking? What
Bible values and moral character are being taught and reinforced in
your family as you watch? Has it stimulated you to join those who go
calling at your church? Honest answers to these questions ought to
convince you of the utter failure on your part of controlling and
censoring your pet sin!
 
WHAT IS IT REALLY?
Television is a modern-day river of filth with several tributaries
(channels). I look after a home for troubled teen-aged girls. These
girls tell me they have formed their values, made life decisions and
goals based on this river of filth. Ever wonder about its lasting
effects? Our girls do not have access to TV; yet a year later they
discuss shows they have seen, as if they saw them yesterday! We would
not fill our stomachs from a sewer, yet we are filling our mind, heart
and soul from one, and giving our children a hearty appetite for more.
 
WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY?
Dad, all of the terrible moral and spiritual devastation from TV
occurring in your life and in your family is your fault! You see, you
are God s prophet, priest and king in your home. He will hold you
responsible as the head of the family. You are the protector of your
family against evil influences; and how in God s name, and based on
the Bible, can you say you are protecting them from evil influences
when you allow the TV sewer to freely run in your home?
Some men say, "if I get rid of my set, there would be World War III
with my wife." I know. Since you have allowed this evil in your home,
she is probably hooked on the soaps and other choice tidbits of moral
sewage. You will also face a battle with the kids, since they are
similarly hooked on the violence-filled, immoral cartoons. This is not
to mention your friends and relatives who would believe you to be a
wierdo, a kook, and that you would be depriving your family. Why, in
order for you to get rid of your set, you would have to be a man!
If you keep the TV sewer in your home, do not expect a pleasant time
at the Judgment Seat of Christ (11 Corinthians 5:10). Tolerating this
sin and even enjoying it calls into serious question your faithfulness
to Christ and stewardship.
 
SOURCE OF CONFUSION
You are introducing confusion in the hearts and minds of your children
by having TV in your home. TV does not agree with the authority and
truth to which a child ought to be exposed in a Bible-believing home.
In fact, the basic message of TV is hostile to the truths conveyed by
faithful Bible preachers, Sunday School teachers, Christian Day School
teachers and which ought to be conveyed by believing parents.
Every teaching model, (TV characters are strong, polished and
compelling models) your child has, ought to be in basic moral
agreement on values. To have the home, school and church proclaiming
one set of values to the child while your TV set vigorously and
effectively teaches another is to cause confusion of the first order.
This is not only unwise, it is foolhardy. Ask yourself, do your
children emulate and venerate the stars on TV, or their Preacher and
Sunday School Teacher? Are they accepting and learning the barnyard
morality of TV or the morality of Scripture? Are they praising a
longhaired sports hero who desecrates the Lord's Day every Sunday he
plays, or are they avidly sharing the details of a 19th century
missionary about whom they have just read? Who is winning the battle
for your child's heart? Why should you even allow this battle for
their soul and confusion in their minds by using a TV set?
 
WHAT INFLUENCES?
A parent must never allow influences in the life of his child that do
not reinforce and strengthen his Bible-based convictions. In fact, to
allow such influences in his own life is presumptuous sin on the part
of the parent.
If you are one of the many carnal believers using a TV set in your
home, I must warn you about the consequences of your sin. God has told
us whatever we sow, we will reap (Galatians 6:7-8). A crop takes time
to grow, but reaping time (judgment) will always come. You will pay
for your sin in your own life and the life of your children and
grandchildren. This is not to mention what you will face at the
Judgment Seat of Christ (11 Corinthians 5:10).
 
PHD IN FILTH
A PhD candidate may concentrate 2,000 hours to earn his doctorate in a
particular field of study. Count up your family's average viewing time
to see how long it took you to obtain your PhD in filth. I daresay,
many carnal Christians have earned several doctorates in filth!
 
THE FACTS OF THE MATTER
Anyone owning and watching TV is not seriously interested in personal
revival. Such an individual, though he be called a Christian is not
actively seeking holiness of life. The facts are, he is a dirty
compromiser like Lot: wanting to be called a Pilgrim, trying to act
like one, yet pitching his tent toward Sodom, and then actually moving
into town. He has a pet sin and is not willing to give it up!
Remember this, my friend, your controversy is not with me, it is with
a Holy God. A thrice-Holy God still calls sin, SIN! While you (through
your pet sin of TV), are saying in effect a little bit of sin is OK.
We expect the unbelieving world to sit enthralled at the fleshpots of
the TV sewer, but for Christians it is especially wicked and evil. It
is not helping you to grow in grace and if you are honest, you will
admit it.
 
I pray some Christians who read this will be willing to give up their
pet sin . What will you do?
 
by Ronald E. Willams, DirectorHephzibah House
508 School St., Winona Lake, IN 46590