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I received a comment recently about when I’d be writing about “cutting back on most forms of entertainment”.  So, I thought now would be a good time to address this. Turning away from media and entertainment feels like an ongoing, every day battle for me.  This also seems to be a very controversial topic within the Body of Christ (at least in the West).

Some say that it’s freedom to be able to watch whatever you want.  Some say that turning off your TV or not watching movies (for the sake of drawing near to Jesus) is “religious”.  Most people will try to convince you that there’s “grace” for entertainment. I’d rather make a case that Jesus is worthy of all of our time and attention.

I don’t think not watching TV or movies earns me anything.  I do watch movies occasionally, and I have spent HUGE chunks of my life staring at a screen watching someone else’s story.  I wish I could get that time back.  I don’t want to spend my time that way and am striving to turn it off and turn to Him.

Even outside of the spiritual implications – wouldn’t you rather live the life that you desire, rather than live vicariously through someone else?

Regardless, for me it comes down to:
1) I have to give an account (to Jesus) for how I’ve spent all my time on the earth, and I will be judged by what I DO with my time.  He looks at my heart, absolutely, but what I do really  matters (Rev. 20:12). I am pained by the fact that I will have to give an account for the thousands of hours I’ve spent in front of the TV, at a movie theater, or surfing the internet.  Those are hours I can never get back.

2) I believe there is a higher level of communion and satisfaction available in Jesus today, that I have yet to taste.  I believe that drawing nearer to Him will bring me more pleasure than a movie. A movie will play with my emotions and let me escape for a little while, but most likely won’t draw me closer to His heart.

I want to live in constant communion with Jesus.  When I say that, I don’t mean I sit in a dark room, rock back and forth, and talk to Jesus all day.  I DO mean that certain activities are more prone to take me out of dialogue with Him.  Practicing the presence of God is all about talking to (and listening to) Jesus in the day in and day out of life.  Unfortunately, with most movies or TV shows or surfing the internet, that is difficult for me.

I don’t think entertainment or media is inherently evil.  I do value the age that we live in.  I love that information is readily available, and I think that movies can be made—and the internet can be used—to glorify the name of Jesus.  I pray that the Lord would anoint men and women who are living the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) to declare the message of Jesus’ beauty through media.

At the same time, I want to turn my eyes from looking at worthless things (Psalm 119:37 and Psalm 101). Most TV programs and movies (even kids movies) are saturated with the spirit of the age.  I believe we become like what we behold or consume.  I want to look like Jesus, not like the world.  I want to love those that are in the world, and I believe the best way to do that is to spend my time meditating on, agreeing with, and living His word, so I actually have something to say.  I want to become the message of truth. I want to become true.

He is worthy of all of my heart. Oh, that I would strive to surrender all of it to Jesus. Life is so short.  Jesus, grant me grace to love you with every moment of it.