Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father.

1 John 2: 15

Television Programs and Movies

The Bible says that by looking or beholding, we change. In 2 Corinthians 3: 18, the Bible says that when we look at Jesus, we are changed to be like Him. By reading the Bible, we can learn how Jesus lived. Then we can become honest and loving like Him. The TV has many programs which we can choose from. Do the things you see draw you closer to Jesus in a loving relationship, or do they make you love the world and its sinful pleasures? Most of the TV programs have violence, adultery and profanity woven into them. Profanity means that words are spoken which are vulgar or treat sacred things with abuse, contempt or irreverence. The more these are watched, the more we will become like them.

The best TV guide to selecting a program is found in Philippians 4: 8. If the TV program meets these 8 tests, it is good. If it is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, gracious and if there is excellence and things worthy of praise then it would be good to watch.

See No Evil

In Psalms 51: 10- 13, the Bible writer David asked God to create a clean heart in him and to renew a right spirit in him. He wanted God to help him think right. He had just done a terrible sin that he was sorry for. God forgave him. David promised God that he would set no wicked thing before his eyes (Psalms 101: 2). In Ezekiel 20: 7 God asked His people to throw away every thing that the eyes feast on. They were not to defile themselves with the idols of Egypt. We might say with the idols of Hollywood. We are not to look at magazines or posters with pictures of people without proper clothing to cover their bodies. These pictures lead to selfish thoughts.

Music

Some types of music give us messages that are not true, honest, just or pure. They suggest that it is fun to break the commandments. This is a trick from Satan. When we listen to his messages, we become changed. God's ways are to turn our eyes and ears from beholding and hearing vanity (Psalms 119: 37). What you listen to is what you are going to become.

Dancing

Dancing leads to thinking selfish thoughts and to breaking the commandment not to commit adultery (Exodus 20: 14). This makes dancing a worldly thing that leads to sin. The music that many dance to often has selfish thoughts expressed.

Love of Money and Things

Those who love money become very selfish. All they think about is getting more things. In 1 Timothy 6: 10, God says that the love of money is the root of all evils. The craving for money often causes people to wander away from Jesus. A root feeds the plant. If all you think about is getting things, you will not be happy even when you have money because you will want more.

Those who love God above all, even life itself will use money that they are trusted with to help others learn of God's love.