Don't Touch My Entertainment!

Sometimes it seems like people treat their entertainment as untouchable or a thing apart.
We are looking to escape the stresses of real life and want to feel good, but at what cost?

 We should not fall for the temporary solutions and frail sinful human heroes the world offers.  Our redemption is from Christ, & it's for eternity.

(This came from hearing Chris Hamilton of Grace Community Church.)

Are we looking for happily ever after here on earth? 
What if we get trials and suffering?
Are we desiring what we don't have?
Are we practicing idolatry?

Christians today often seem to be just as entertainment-driven as those in the world, but what are people filling their minds with and how does it affect them? 
Are we looking to what spews out sin and expecting it not to have any consequences in our own behavior and way of speaking?
 Does it not teach us to wink at sin and look for rescue outside of Christ? 

I have seen solid Christians praising the latest movies, and when I look movie reviews up I see that what is being watched dishonors God by using His name in vain or spews out language that is not fitting.  I've touched this subject before.
Is our entertainment an untouchable subject?  Do people get mad when I  mention it?
I'm not saying that I have never watched things that I would have been better off having skipped.
I may wonder that some can watch some of what they watch, but we are all pretty inconsistent at times, aren't we?  I know I am.

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Ephesians 5:3-5 NASB

I have heard believers using God's name in a casual way (what I call in vain) when not talking to or about Him, but rather as an exclamation...just like the world does. 
They may not intend it, but they hear it so often that it slips out.

We often quote from our favorite movies and songs, don't we?
How often do we quote them, and then how often do we quote Scripture?
Something to think about.

If a movie, TV program, or other entertainment source shows disrespect, features immoral relationships (or show acceptance of one), or accepts other sinful behavior, do you think that people watching aren't going to become more accepting of that behavior?
Are we desensitizing ourselves to the sinfulness of sin?
Does the kind of crudity, immodesty, suggestiveness, and worldly values (whatever is popular at the time) watched help us to honor God or dishonor Him?

Here are some supplemental links:

Worldliness, Entertainment, and the Lordship of Christ by John MacArthur

Perspective, Entertainment, and the Lordship of Christ by John MacArthur

The Light of the World (Message by Chris Hamilton where the quote at the top of this post came from)

Entertainment: Freedom or Folly?

Whether it's movies, television, the internet, or places we go, there is so much garbage out there, and sometimes sin creeps right into the door of the church.

Watching movies today can be like David watching Bathsheba.  

Do we sit there staring at temptation or do we run like Joseph from Potiphar's wife?

Going to the beach or searching online can also place temptation in the path.

Do we really think that we can pour immorality, foul language, and filth in on purpose and not be affected?

Do Christians believe in guarding their minds and hearts anymore?

Are believers so desensitized to sin that they stop cringing and don't even recognize it anymore?

Have believers let their "freedom" turn into an opportunity for the flesh?

Why should we be surprised when the "church" starts accepting sin inside its doors when people wink at sin inside their homes?

Is the desire for holiness and wisdom now labeled legalism?

Something to think about.

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; 

I hate the work of those who fall away; 

It shall not fasten its grip on me.
Psalm 101:3 NASB

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 
James 1:13-15 NASB

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22 NASB

but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28 NASB

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
Mark 7:21-22 NASB
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
Proverbs 4:23-24 NASB

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1 NASB

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
1 John 2:16 NASB

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
1 Peter 2:11 NASB

for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
Ephesians 5:12 NASB

There is a way which seems right to a man, 

But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12 NASB

The other side of fleeing sin and temptation is filling our minds with the things of the Spirit and remembering what we should strive to dwell on.  

Probably many of us have memorized this verse at some point.  

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB

Are You A Bad Imitator of God?

I finally finished a painting in anticipation of my surgery scheduled for Friday.

I will likely not be able to use my arm for awhile much, although I was told that using the hands and fingers would be a good thing.  Many people online though make it sound as though that will be a problem, and since I was having a better day than usual I went ahead and finally got the painting done with.

 

My painting is an imitation of a painting in a book which reminds me in a greater sense how Christians are to be imitators of God as beloved children.  I feel so far from being like Christ, and I sin so much.  I want to see His image reflected in my life as part of His church.   He is the one who sanctifies and cleanses by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present His church in all its glory having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing. (Ephesians 5).  

 

Even as a Christian whose sins are forgiven, I continually need to repent of my present sins.  It can be discouraging like looking at my artwork and then looking at the original and how pitiful it looks in comparison.  One day I will be perfected though, because He who promised is faithful even when I feel faithless.  So much grace is needed for a wretch like me.  I want to love Him more and reflect His love to others.  It's a good thing that my salvation isn't dependent on me.

 

 

While I may have to take a long break from posting (we shall see), I thought I'd share some links and messages that especially stood out to me recently.

 

• Ten Reasons Good Christians Go Bad - C Michael Patton  - I can relate some or a lot to numbers 1, 4, 5, and 9.  How about you?

 

• The Anatomy of the Church: The Internal Systems, Part 3 - John MacArthur - Hear what John said about R Rated movies in 1983

Christian Conveyor of Constructive Communication Connections

How To Start at Your New Church - Kevin DeYoung  This article is worth reading, although for some of us it's not so simple.  When you live far away or are disabled or limited, it's not so easy to be able to get involved the same way. 

The Big Deal About Profanity - Randy Alcorn / Craig Groeschel  Do you watch movies or TV?  This article is for you.  I can definitely relate as being someone who didn't have a TV in the home for most of my growing up years.  I can relate to what Randy Alcorn said especially. This is something that most Christians ignore it seems.

Bible Reliability: M-A-P-S to Guide You through Bible Reliability - Hank Hanegraaff  Years ago I used to listen regularly to the Bible Answerman radio broadcast.  While I didn't always agree with everything said, I learned a lot of things that have been useful to me as a Christian throughout the years.  I recently have used some from this acronym that I learned back then.

The Church and Homosexuality: Ten Commitments - Kevin DeYoung  If you are communicating with people who are homosexuals or with others about homosexuality, these are things that Christians should try to remember in the way that we respond.

39 Major ProChoice Arguments and Their Refutations - Randy Alcorn  This is excellent information that you can use as a reference when responding to people about abortion.  I have used the information to help me when people give these types of arguments online.