The TV Idol

© 06-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

'Christian' couch-potatoes

Topic: Would Jesus sit and watch TV today? Is it an idol at the centre of your home, distracting you from God's purpose for your life, and cursing your children?

When even so-called 'Christian' channels are promoting demonic ecumenism, isn't it time you threw the thing out?

Got an opinion?

Keep it brief and biblical and we'll publish the best responses. Give us a name to go with your post.

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Colin
I've not owned a TV since I got saved in 1988, and don't miss it at all. The only time I see television is passing through airports, or when visiting people in their homes. What I've seen of it makes me wretch. I find the BBC and CNN channels particularly repulsive with their insidious propaganda.

It's merely a tool for the AntiChrist spirit to indoctrinate the gullible. I've never seen TBN, but I understand it is the most popular US 'Christian' programme, that they call Catholics 'Christians', and regularly promote leaders of Satan's ecumenical movement. That tells you an awful lot about who's behind it.

Would Christ waste His time watching such filth? Not a second: He'd be out on Father's business, saving souls.

Here's what you say

Nathaniel
The Bible tells me there is a time for everything, and I can also relate that to sitting down and watching TV, we always need the spirit of Christ guiding us in everything, and that certainly includes TV. I personally feel if there is nothing on my TV worthwhile, I'll just find something else on my DVD player. Remind you that Christians should never be couch potatoes just absorbing any and everything that pops up on the TV. There should be a time set aside for it, with careful thought of whom you serve.

Megan
Our family used to own a TV, and every night we would sit in front of it and watch it, and sometimes even eat in front of it. Then my parents realised that the TV was a stronghold on us, and we haven't had cable since.

I'm happy that now I'm able to do more important things, and get involved in outside events. Because the TV was taking over our time and filling us with junk when we could be using that time to read and be filled with the Word of God. Sometimes I may miss watching cartoons, but now that we are free from it I never look back!

Beybunui
I have experienced the effects of TV in my life. Each time I decide to follow a particular programme on TV, I find my spiritual life dwindling. Quite often I end up not praying, or praying only for about five minutes, even though I watched TV for more than two hours.

Also, whatever I watch lives in my mind, and instead of meditating on the Word of God, I meditate on what I watch. I advise every Christian to keep away from TV, unless you are very sure that the programme will build you up.

Paul
There are many things in life that are difficult to change. If TV is not the distraction for a Christian from Christ, then it will be something else. How can I live a life without distraction? How did Paul live his life devoted to Christ without distraction?

Anon
TV is a way for feeding junk into your life and soul. People today can sit in front of TV for hours looking at things that can spiritually tear them down, and think nothing of it. TV is a stronghold!

Larry
My maternal Grandmother refused to watch TV. She said it was, 'of the Devil'. Although I loved her dearly, I thought that was just 'a little nutty'. As time passed though, I've come to believe that she was right. I do not watch TV anymore. The programming is more anti-God than not, and so is the commercial advertising. God's Word teaches us to separate ourselves from the world. Not watching TV, I believe, is a step in the right direction.

Mickey
In the past I've told my husband that if I had my way we'd have no television, but he likes to relax by watching it when he's tired. Unfortunately, he tends to watch whatever pops up on the screen instead of decisively choosing a program. My daughter also adores TV and would watch it most of each day if I'd let her. So the rule now is no TV during the day while Dad's at work. Maybe one of these days he'll let me throw the thing out!

David
We've never had a TV in our house, and I have lived quite happily without one despite many people at school asking, 'How can you live without a TV?'

Nobody in my 'church' has a TV as it has been seen that it can rapidly become an idol to many people (hence the above question).

TV has been getting worse and worse lately (morally), from what I've heard, and I definitely will not be getting one, if and when, I acquire my own house.

Viola
I feel that TV is nowadays teaching the children. Their parents are too busy working, and it delivers a lot of negative things that are against Christ, and what His Word stands for.

I even have problems sometimes with the 'Christian' shows.

I do not agree with some of the Christian music like the 'Christian' Rap music. The 'Christian' rappers are looking like the world, and repeating what they are doing. I thought God's Word says the world should conform to the church, and not the church to the world.

Guy
I am called into the ministry, I prayed many times before asking My Lord what is the biggest hindrance in my life that would grieve the Holy Ghost working through me. Each time, He would speak to me that my constant watching of television is the biggest hindrance.

It was hard because I am a single man, and it gets very lonely at times, and I used the television as my company. But I know now that I have been keeping company with the devil.

Harold
I do not believe the programmes on television are redeemable. At one point we had cable TV, but as I drew closer to God I found it to be at least a distraction, at worst a foothold where the enemy could pollute my family's home life.

We cancelled our cable TV, and are better for it. We do use the television as a monitor instead. More and more there are DVD's that can be used to feed, rather that hurt, the family. Tools of learning to evangelise, and show the lies in evolution through Creation presentations.

If it is a temptation for some to have it, even as a monitor at home, I would recommend getting rid of it all together. Reading is cheaper, electrically wise, and it improves your vocabulary. And as with the Bible, it can you help you spiritually.

Colin
Following a spate of Japanese children being thrown into fits whilst watching demonic cartoons on Japanese national TV, we have this alarming news in Oct. 2006.

Autism linked to children watching television

A Cornell University study suggests a strong relationship between toddlers viewing TV, and the massive rise in Autism.

Autism is a condition that includes difficulties in communication, and relationships, often with a degree of compulsive, repetitive behaviour.

The scientific study indicates that 40 percent of Autism could be due to early exposure to television.

In Amish communities, without TV, the rate of Autism is dramatically lower than the national average.

There has been a fifteen times increase of the incidence of Autism in the US since the introduction of video and cable television. From one in 2,500 people 30 years ago, to one in 155 today.

In the UK a similar rise has been noted, with over half a million individuals suffering from Autism. It is not a rare condition since the 'Box' became popular.

Think very carefully before you sit your baby or toddler in-front of the 'TV shrine'.

Kerene
Generally, TV has been one of the main polluters of our morals in western society. Personally, it has been both bad and a good influence in my life in that, before I accepted Christ, TV was basically my friend. I would watch it all day long, and it influenced my way of thinking, and how I saw the world.

Even after being saved, I can personally say the TV can become an idol. I had to repent because I was watching some programmes, that I thought were clean documentaries and detective shows, but I found that I was becoming unmerciful and uncaring watching the injustices portrayed in these films.

I am now, thank God, watching less television spending more time with God and in His Word.

Tony
What is important here is selection of what you watch on TV, and the prevention of bondage and demonic influence. Moderation, discipline and control must be used (which is not easy for those weak, or new, in their faith). I do own a TV but rarely watch it, and I do believe that Hollywood produces garbage filling the minds of people with demonic content.

The so called 'Christian' station, TBN, compromises and distorts God's truth. The news programmes are biased, promoting beliefs that only produce good ratings. However, there can be entertainment had for the believer. But strong discernment and judgment must be used especially by parents.

OW
I agree that TV is not a necessity, and for most people it does more harm than good. We have considered getting rid of our TV altogether, and that might be a good idea.

We actually have more of a challenge with the DVD player than the TV. Most of the shows are so horrible on TV that we normally do not watch them. But sometimes we watch movies, and, while I try to be careful about them, it's easy to fall into a habit of watching too much. We would probably be better off without the dvd player, video player, and TV altogether.

Same with internet: I use it as a tool, including the Bible, and many good Christian sites, but I'm on it too much. I don't let my son on the Internet very much due to the dangers on it unless he is personally supervised. It is a useful tool for homework, study, news, and there are some wonderful Christian and Bible sites online, but it is easy to spend way too much time on it.

Jill
I am a Christian, and ashamed to say I did watch too much TV. We gave it up for a whole month. It is a testimony, that giving up TV has given us such closeness as a family. We actually have some really good conversations as a family. We play games we normally would not play. I feel a lot more content with my life as a whole without TV. I also find a lot more time to read God's words.

Anthony
Reading everyone's testimony or comments on the subject of TV has really sent things running through my head. None of it sounds new to me. I too believe nothing on TV is helpful. It is more there to tear us down then to build us up. The time we spend watching it only makes things worse. I know once before the Lord was dealing with me about it. I have a couple of times unplugged the TV, and left it that way for about a month. It did not bother me either. You can get so much more done, and can cleanse yourself more when not watching it. It is a force sent to still our time. I try now to really monitor what I watch, but seeing scriptures and reading many of people's comments, I know that I am going to have to pray and ask God for deliverance from this.

I have a seven month-old daughter, and she is liking some of the commercials that come on. I don't want those things to inspire her. I said many times that by the time she starts getting older I probably won't have the TV around because I don't want her exposed to all that it sends out. Thank you all for your testimonies. I know that this walk is for everyone individually, but I know that it was not by accident I came to this site. Blessings to you all.

Carrie
I was raised with and without the TV. In fact, my Mom was not happy with listening to radio channels for the weather report so we got this radio like TV. It had no monitor, but you could listen to the programmes. I remember listening to "Sesame street". It wasn't too bad. Later things changed and we went back to a regular TV set. I totally agree that TV is a tool that is used against us by the enemy when we are not spiritually mature. I have been addicted to several different shows that I know God would not be pleased with. Everyday when I would pray, I would ask for Jesus to reveal anything in my life that was not pleasing Him, and He would point out a different show each time. I struggled at first with giving these up. I wanted to justify my watching them. Of course there was no real justification. If Jesus himself would not sit down to watch that with you, then you should not watch it.

I can praise God though that He removed all desire to watch these shows from my heart, and I have given them up completely. I still own a TV, and dvd player. It does not hinder me though from my time with the Lord. You see once you are filled with the Holy Ghost and you actually submit your life to Him everyday. He will put His wants and desires into you heart and mind, and not only lead you and guide you, but also convict you when you are doing something wrong. So He is my "TV filter" that will never go wrong.

Letty
With so much killing and hatred in the world, I believe that the Devil uses television to distract Christians from doing the one thing that can change lives and hearts towards Jesus - praying. If we spend more time on our knees than on entertaining ourselves, we could fill journals upon journals with all of the wonderful miracles that would happen. If only we would focus more on praying for lost souls than entertaining ourselves. We must be available to Jesus at all times.

Colin
London tested it's 2012 Olympics logo on UK television this week.

Website and TV animation triggers Epileptic seizures

A five second clip of animation, taken from the official London Olympics website, was broadcast on British TV. It sparked a sufficient number of complaints from viewers suffering seizures to cause the organisers to remove it from their website.

One adult said, he saw the logo, a flash of colour, and immediately went into an epileptic fit.

Tyler
We have a TV in our home. Yet, we don't watch it except when we watch a good Godly video (like a Moody Science video). Also, my brother is into film-making. Don't worry. He is aiming for taking back the silver screen with Godly movies. He is involved in the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. I believe that if we have more people making Godly things for the TV, it could change this world.

Donnie
I cancelled the satellite and threw out a lot of my movies. I'm planning on showing Christian movies. My Mom thinks I should watch TV, and tells me what shows I would like. I don't like watching that filth, and my daughter can't watch it either.

Mel
Yes, you are right brother Colin. We must always check the motive why we watch TV? Is it to idolise the works of Satan? To confuse yourself... to see the sexy girl? These are Satan's tricks, to lead to adultery in the mind. Is it to watch the latest fashion of sexy dresses to attract the attention of men? I think TV is one of Satan's weapons to deceive the elect.

Dave
99 percent of TV is junk, there are a few good programmes to watch. A lot of the Christian programmes are ever more hard to take in, especially those that align themselves with Roman Catholicism. You can find a Mormon Channel, Roman Catholic and just about whatever you want to find on TV. We as Christians need discernment and just turn that boob tube off.

A word about Which movies to watch.

Now have your say