In response to what was just said, it was one of the MAJOR decisions in deutsixv23's life. And that's important. It was in ours, also.

Look, if you really like something, you'll resist change to it, no matter what it is. I know there's a few people here that are defending TV pretty steadfastly. But to those, it's an addicting source of entertainment, yeah. It's also a complete waste of time, in my opinion.

Sure, there's some good shows. I bet you could even watch christian music videos, or listen to some TV evangelists. Wouldn't it be cool, however, if you were using that time to actually do something.

Now, that's a hard statement. If you're not ready to change for the Lord, then you're not going to. Bar none. It's about what's in your heart, not what someone else says you should do. But, again, for me it has changed my life for the better. I have more time to actually spend with my family. More time to spend in the Word. More time to spend praying, and more time to spend serving. And what I've found is that I still don't have enough time in my day.

The TV is a fun little box. But 10 years from now, will you ever look back and tell stories of the shows you watched? Of all you learned?

That's how I look at it. Man will have to give account for every idle word, and I believe, every idle action. To whom much is given, much is expected.

Just pray about it.

Grace adn Peace...

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Christopher Wright

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Bill

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Jeremy Hulsey

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Bill

This thread reminds me of a fine book called, [i]The Freedom of Simplicity[/i].

Many elements of our life are luxuries, not necessities. Yet sometimes they have a strong grip on us unknowingly over time.

By choosing to live a simple life, sometimes we experience a greater and more abundant freedom in Christ.

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Sam

If we look at the statistics of crime and things like that before television and things like that as this is hearsay but I remembering reading statistics along time ago about the amount of thefts in england this was before television it was about 724 and then after the dates it was worst.
We are in a culture that is affected by everything around us ,we are either affecting it or it is affecting us.
I remember talking with a group for my access group and they were talking about things like racism and things like that. I said it is part of culture and culture is affected by sin.
People watch television and I do not blame someone who has watched a thousand murders on television for commiting murder. I think we forget that I am not mentioning the sin aspect but as our hearts are desperatly wicked.

I think another thing is beauty I think when I used to watch Television the beauty of creation is missed because of our smallness of minds.

Nature Programs destroy actually going out and enjoying creation

News Programs destroy praying for people that are around us who may be in far more need than what they make out

Books sitting on the shelves waiting for us to read

Friends who have not been visited

Waisted money on videos and dvds that could be better spent on biblical products or even food to help the homeless

Millions of people who have not heard the good news because we are to lazy I am including me here to preach the gospel

Communication lost between family members

No talks around dinner tables because people are to eager to watch the next movie

Bad jobs generally done because peoples mind have been thinking about ungodly things

A greater love for the bible and for christian music

A greater love for Jesus because of less distractions but I do get distractions

Clearer thinking mind

Much more aware of my sin

A greater love for people

I am just putting down a few aspects of my life which have changed because I have not watched television , I am not putting down some things that I have experienced because I have not watched TV for so long and I do not want to.

I think the thing that I want to do most is give Jesus my all and get any unconfessed and sin that is getting in the way of me and Jesus

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Dominic Shiells

MyBrillPro,

You're right. The TV has been a great witness to bring some to the Lord. But where's it's place in the life of the Believer?

For those who don't know Christ, they're walking dead. They will die, and will never know Life, will never enter Christ's rest. But to those who have it, where does it fit into your life?

Now, you're right. This is opinions here. But I don't believe there is any legitimate reasoning as to why a TV is good in a believer's life. It's like saying it's good to smoke cigarettes, because, well, can anyone think of a reason? Basically, there should be no place for idle time in a Believer's life.

Now that I've made my hard-line point, you should know that I don't believe the devil will crawl out of that box, or anything crazy. My wife and I watch a DVD once in a while on our computer. But to me, the temptation that a TV presents to even watch an hour a day is too much. Just an hour- that's more than a full work day every two weeks! How much better could that time be spent?

Anyway, I'm making some of my same points again, so I'll try not to. And if I sound offensive, I'm sorry. I do that sometimes, so don't take any attack on TV as personal. But there is such a better life.

Someone said earlier that their life has been blessed by putting their TV away. And I'd be lying if I said that ours hasn't. It's great. It really is.

Now, if anyone reading this is considering stopping, even for a little while, be encouraged! Just try it for a month. It takes some getting used to- especially if you watch as much as I once did. What do you do with all of this extra time?

For me, it was a chance to read my Bible, spend time with family, pray without having to fit it into my schedule...

Anyway, agian, the whole point of this thing is to be an encouragement to those who still use theirs more than maybe they should. If you hve that question, pray about it. Do you have a legitamite excuse, or are you just defending the worldly things you love? But give it a shot. I guarantee you, you won't regret it.

Grace and Peace...

Oh, and well put, deltadom

Grace and Peace...

Many I think are missing the point. The question is not "Is TV evil?" but "Is TV holy?"

All things were created GOOD (Genesis 1) and were holy in that they served the purpose that God intended for them to be.

Things stopped being holy when men and angels rebelled against God and began to exist outside of the purpose that God created them for.

But God is in the business of redemption, and He uses things that were once an abomination to Him to serve Him. I don't think that TV is beyond being used by God. God has used prostitutes and donkeys, so why not TV's?

I think the real issue is whether you can ask yourself with a clean conscience: Am I grieving the Holy Spirit of God by watching TV? That may sound over-simplistic and rigid, but it's amazing how black and white some issues are with Christ:

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." -Matt. 6:24

"Hate the evil, and love the good" -Amos 5:15

Also, try putting this verse right next to your television set (and computer monitor):

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." -Psalm 101:3

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Christopher Wright