Are you being Entertained or Evangelizing?

Television, Movies, Music, Internet, and Video Games in a Christian's Life

First of all, Jesus didn’t come to save us from the things of this world but to save us from the wages our own sin--death (Romans 6:23). Secondly, each person is equipped by God with a conscience that instinctively knows right and wrong.

Also James 1:14-15 says “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Therefore those things that drag us away from God and toward sin are not outside of us but inside of us.

And 1 Corinthians 6:12 says “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” So as you go through life remember to listen to your God given conscience and let the Bible be your authority. (If you don’t know God, please repent and place your trust in Jesus Christ today)

Question: "Should a Christian watch television (TV)?"

Answer: Many Christians struggle with the issue of whether or not to watch TV and, if we do watch, how much TV should we watch? Television, like many other diversions we have in today's society, has the ability to do both great good and great harm.  However, many people have become mindlessly addicted to whatever show may be on, taking them away from family, friends and time with God. The impact of television in our lives comes in what we do with it. We can let it control us, or we can use it as the tool it was meant to be. (Got Questions Ministries - http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-TV-television.html)

Question: "Should a Christian go to movies?

Answer: The danger lies in (1) how what we are watching affects our heart and (2) how it affects others. As members of the body of Christ, we are to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14) and a holy example of what God has done in our lives (1 Peter 2:11-12). If we are seen by others going into an “R”-rated movie, it could send the wrong message to them—that we enjoy and/or condone illicit sex and violence. That is not conducive to being a light in a dark world. So, how do we know for sure whether what we are watching is beneficial? When we become followers of Christ, we are given His Holy Spirit to live in us (Acts 2:38; 2 Timothy 1:14). Jesus tells us that this Spirit will guide us in all truth (John 16:13). One way God's Spirit guides us is by our conscience (Romans 1:12; 9:1). If your conscience is telling you that what you are watching is wrong, it probably is. (Got Questions Ministries - http://www.gotquestions.org/sin-movies.html)

Question: "Should a Christian listen to secular music?"

Answer: Many Christians struggle with this question. Many secular musicians are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. The content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide for musical lyrics: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies God. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided. (Got Questions Ministries - http://www.gotquestions.org/secular-music.html)

Question: "Should a Christian use social networking tools (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, etc.)?"

Answer: The answer to these questions should be determined by whether we can honestly ask God to bless and use our actions for His own good purposes. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Christians who choose to participate in social networking should be aware of the negative aspects of social networking. When we rely on social media sites primarily to promote ourselves or draw attention to ourselves, it is time to take a step back. It’s wise to utilize accountability, family members, and Christian brothers and sisters to view our social networking activity and hold us accountable. (Got Questions Ministries - http://www.gotquestions.org/social-networking.html)

Question: "Should a Christian play video games?"

Answer: When God shows us that a specific activity is controlling our lives, we should break away from it for a time. This “fast” could be from food, movies, TV, music, video games, anything that distracts our attention from knowing and loving God and serving His people. While some of these things may not be bad in and of themselves, they become idols if they distract us from our first love (Colossians 3:5; Revelation 2:4). We are to pursue praiseworthy activities, not simply permissible ones. He leads us to passionately follow Him above all else. Prepare for eternity. Every sacrifice will seem insignificant when we meet Jesus. (Got Questions Ministries - http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-video-games.html)

(Where Scripture References are given you are encouraged to also meditate on them)

2Believe Ministries - 2Believe.net

Church Entertainment...Please Read...

Ok, so this is a bit off topic of the Gospel for Chico, but it does have application.

When my wife and I were in Mexico and helping out with the distribution of the Operation Christmas Child we got to hand out shoe boxes with a Gospel message along with each box. However there was also a huge song and dance that went on before each distribution, and a puppet show Gospel presentation. Maybe I'm wrong because there is a huge culture difference?

Here are just a few of the pictures...

The reason we the church exists here on earth is to be a witness to the whole world. Whatever happened to telling Bible stories, and singing Gospel songs?

So why does the church use Entertainment?

What's filling the pews and keeps people coming back for more? Meaty preaching, biblical teaching, or . . . entertainment?

A.W.Tozer said "For there are millions who cannot live without amusement; life without some form of entertainment for them is simply intolerable; they look forward to the blessed relief afforded by professional entertainers and other forms of psychological narcotics as a dope addict looks to his daily shot of heroin. Without them they could not summon courage to face existence."

You see there is a deadly disease and it's spreading into the church, and it may already have infected your entire congregation. The church as a whole has forgotten that we are to use the Gospel to convert the lost (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19, and 2 Timothy 4:2).

G. Campbell Morgan said "When amusement is necessary to get people to listen to the gospel there will be failure.  This is not the method of Christ.  To form an organization and provide all kinds of entertainment for young people, in order that they may come to the Bible classes, is to be foredoomed to failure."

When people desire to have an entertainment driven church instead of a Christ driven church they are creating a idol to follow. Christ is the head of the church and we need to submit to Him alone.

A.W.Tozer put it this way "Religious entertainment is in many places rapidly crowding out the serious things of God."

The church mission is not to provide entertainment but to persuade and plead with every man to come to Christ, and turn from their sins once and for all. We are not sugar candy but the salt of the earth, drawing men to Christ, to thirst after Him, not the things of this world.

C. H. Spurgeon said "The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them."

With the entertainment business in the church it clearly shows that some do not believe in the the power of the Gospel, and therefore they cause themselves to rely upon the power of men.

I find the words of C. H. Spurgeon to be a fitting way to conclude...

"Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular but, because of the searching nature of His teaching, many turned away. I do not hear Him say, "Run after these people Peter and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick Peter, we must get the people somehow." Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them."

If your going to use entertainment, please don't use it as a replacement for the Gospel. When you use entertainment to draw people and then share the Gospel, don't be surprised when they want more entertainment.

Let me know your thoughts, please post a comment.

For more please read "The Great God Entertainment"  by A.W.Tozer, and "Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?"  By  C. H. Spurgeon

For more on how to share the Gospel with children check out: Child Evangelism - A God-Centered Approach for Genuine Conversion By Massimo Lorenzini