Watching TV (a repeat from six years ago)

[Editor’s note: I have updated the first paragraph]

There is always controversy regarding the moral degeneration of television fare. Some of the programs scheduled to begin in the next month or two – or in the Fall – are unbelievable in my opinion. Different things make us sad. One, for me, is watching the 2013 NBA finals. I remember when basketball was nearly a no-contact sport. Now, especially with the Miami Heat, it seems to be all about who is biggest, strongest, and can push others out of the way. Kind of makes me sad.

Personally my dismay with TV preceded the more relaxed moral climate and focused on the stupidity. . .let me rephrase that. . .silliness of so much of the programming. Now I have to be honest. I have seldom been able to get all the way through thirty minutes, much less an hour, of those things they call “situation comedies.” They are, by my standard, predominately sexual in nature, intellectually vacant, condescending, and juvenile. Most of the “cop” shows only have one story line and they tell it over and over and over. It’s hard to watch most pro-sports games without being turned off by the grandstanding, showboating, and “me, me, me” philosophy (we need more players like Dirk Nowitski, and Tim Duncan, who never seem to be self-focused). Whatever happened to the great cowboy stuff, like Gunsmoke, my personal favorite (even with Matt and Kitty drinkin’ in the Longbranch).

There is still good programming on TV (and I don’t mean the religious channels –they mostly are intellectually vacant as well). But maybe those of us who want to keep our minds “clean and sober” (1 Timothy 3:2), need to focus on a higher standard. Perhaps the “off” switch needs to become our favorite.

Do you think Paul was talking about TV in 1 Timothy 6:11ff? Well probably not, but it does say what we need to hear in a lot of areas and TV is certainly one of them. Read through verse 16. Now, how much time do we spend pursuing righteousness, Godliness, faith, llove, patience, gentleness – as opposed to watching TV?

Is the one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power, pleased with our choices regarding the time spent in front of the TV.

No, I’m not a wild-eyed advocate of tossing TV’s into the streets and burning down the networks. But I do think there is a lot of stuff there that damages our faith, and harms our witness. Watch what you watch! Take time to read a good book (there are several I can recommend). Talk to your spouse and kids for a while. Spend some time alone with the Father. Take a walk, ride your bike again, call a friend and shoot a little breeze.

Hey, watch a little TV! It will certainly broaden your perspective. Just recognize what is good and what is not. And if you can’t figure it out, send me an e-mail. I’ll be happy to share my narrow-minded prejudices with you.