Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover
Unless you are of a "TV is bad - Internet is Good" mentality then we are not on opposite ends of the spectrum. Even if you believe internet is less harmful I think we would agree that the content of each is what is really in question. And we would likely agree that a "TV" satelite channel dedicated to lifesaving techniques for medical doctors can have benefit for good and be used to the glory of God.
And national geographic channel is the same content TV or internet...
Whether we like it or not there are gray areas...
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Actually, I am totally opposed to tv. I do not and will not own one again.
Let me share a little something here:
I was so engrossed in Hollywood prior to church that friends would call to find out how we liked recent movies. We literally were there on opening night or at worst the next day. My wife and I were avid fans of movies and tv. It was a lifestyle for us that took much of our time.
After coming into truth, we got rid of tv. It was nice to have peace and quiet and we found that it was more conducive to prayer and godly living.
Several years went by and some family members came to live with us for a while. They brougth their tv which I allowed, provided it stayed in their room. And it did for a while.
I found myself standing in the doorway becoming engrossed in it once again. It eventually was brought out to the front room and prayer was now secondary.
Our family became situated in their own home and our house was once again somewhat quiet, except for tv. It never left. They graciously allowed us to keep it with us, surround sound and all.
After DVD, our library began to grow. We had dozens of movies within weeks and were steadily buying new ones since it was so much cheaper to stay home and watch the movies and the popcorn was better and also much cheaper.
Our friends at church began to buy their own tv's since we had one. Their libraries also grew and outpaced our quickly. We would go to luch together after church and discuss the latest films and all of that stuff. Until...
One sunday afternoon, one sister who we used to pray regularly with made this comment: "We used to talk about the things of God. Now we talk about the latest movies. Isn't it funny how things have changed?"
My heart was pricked for it was then that I realized what tv and movies were doing to our walk with God. I literally quit watching it. My wife would sit there and watch it alone. This went on for six months until she came to me and told me to get rid of it.
I will never forget the first night without it. The peace that settled in our home was alomost tangible. Our friends would come over and often remarked on how peacefuly it felt in our home.
Our prayer lives came back into focus. Our walk with God became stronger than ever. Our convictions about separation also strengthened. It was here on this sacrifice of worldly pleasure that a minister was born.
I am that man and my wife is that woman.
I am thankful that God opened our eyes to the damage that Hollywood has done and is still doing in the lives of good church folks. I sincerely hope that He will continue to open other's eyes as well so that the church will once again become separated from the devices of this world. as it is, so many are ensnared with this junk and think that all is well.
Samson thought he was okay. He toyed with the world through Delilah.
Look at this:
Judges 16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
He had gotten so far along with playing with Delilah that he did not realize that God had left him. That is what is happening to those who think they can live closer to the world and still think they are doing right. They have no clue that God is pulling His spirit back from them.
Oh, they can shake rattle and roll, but they wist not that the Lord has departed from them.
Maybe that is why the Psalmist wrote:
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
He understood that God could and would withdraw from man if man wanted to follow evil. God will not stay close to sinful hearts and lives.
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