It seems that more Americans today plan their days and their weekly schedules around their favorite TV shows instead of the more valuable things of life like time with their family or spending the time in study of God's word. And while television seems to be as deeply rooted in American culture as air is to our survival, many are critical of the moral decline of our society of which popular television plays a major role. So several questions then arise, should Christians watch television? What about family and Christian programming? Is there a “safe” way to watch television? And could there really be any harm in watching television?

 

To address the main questions of whether or not Christians should watch television we should first clarify that a television is nothing more than an electronic medium and is neither inherently good or bad. However, what we are addressing is the average programming that is found on television and whether or not that represents the sort of values that should be in the Christian home and if there could be any harm from watching secular television programming. To start with, we should dismiss the basic argument that television is simply a given in this modern way of life. There are several groups and individuals who do not believe in even owning a television set and they seem to be getting along just fine. And the excuse that “this is the ways of the world” does not quite hold when, as Christians, we are commanded to bewear that we do not conform to this world: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 So merely saying it is a way of modern life, is not enough to settle the question. What then, about the programming would be contrary to the Christian walk? Surely it can not be argued that a large portion of the programming offered on television today shows, highlights, celebrates, or encourages sex, violence, the exploitation of women, lying, cheating, witchcraft, drug use, materialism, and many other things that should not be a part of a Godly life. A television program which shows scantily dressed women, for example is not only degrading to women but encourages lust and adultery in men, sets a bad example for young girls and erodes their self esteem and lowers our moral expectations. Often the examples and values that we see are anti-family values that glorify a sinful life whether it is teaching an acceptance of fornication and adultery, minimizing the harm of drug use, or making violence and breaking the law look like fun. After all, the world will seek to deceive us all into thinking that the world's ways are actually good instead of seeing them for the sin that it is. Consider the warning given to us in the book of Isaiah: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 As Christians we are to walk in a pure state of mind and keep our homes and our thoughts from the wickedness of this world. In the gospel, Christ tells us the importance of keeping our actions and thoughts pure: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Mark 9:47 Therefore, how much more so should we be tossing the television set if it is bringing into our homes such offenses?