There are many kinds of addictions: Cigarettes, caffeine, food and of course there are countless types of drugs that have a stronghold on the minds of millions of people around the world. But for many across the country and even in the church there is an addiction far more subtle, but nonetheless destructive….it is an addiction to entertainment.
Drugs or narcotics are used by addicts to narcotize the emotions. The word narcotic actually means “A drug that dulls the senses relieves pain and produces sleep.” That’s exactly what the devil and the world has offered the church, through entertainment. A drug that dulls the senses and puts us to sleep;
Now, before going any further, let me point out one obvious argument. There are drugs that have been developed for the good of mankind. There have been great advances in the field of medicine and therapeutic drugs. But no matter what the benefits are, one thing remains true; moderation is key. No matter how good it is, too much of it will kill you.
In comparison there is such a thing as good, wholesome, family friendly entertainment that, in and of itself, s not the least bit harmful.
But like so many things in our culture, something that should be enjoyed in moderation becomes something that we can’t live without. Thus, we are addicted.
It’s no longer a part of our life that we enjoy; it becomes something that we can’t enjoy life without.
We use entertainment as a way to escape reality. Our hearts belong to God. Not this world. The hearts, minds and emotions of our children are at stake. If God wants us to keep our hearts pure, how much more does he expect us to protect the hearts and minds of our children?
We put warning labels on medicines, cleaning supplies and many other potentially hazardous items to protect our children; but at the same time, we turn them loose in their rooms with a remote control and, literally, hundreds of cable tv channels. Their innocence, their minds, and even their souls are in jeopardy when we, in essence, turn our children over to the influences of this ungodly world. They spend, on average, 3 hours a week in church. How can that compare to all the hours they spend in front of a TV, learning the doctrine of this world.
The principals and values that the world lives by are in sharp contrast to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who said,” If you seek to save your life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you shall find it.”
MTV, Fox, or HBO have yet to tell us to seek the things that are above and not below. Or to take up our cross and follow Jesus---We put medication “out of reach of children”, not because we have bad kids who can’t be trusted. We do it because they are too young, naïve, and innocent of the dangers they face. Their judgment is not mature.
We wouldn’t dream of handing our kids a loaded gun and leaving the room, even a partially loaded gun is unthinkable. But, everyday we put a remote control in the hands of our kids and the enemy has loaded the tv airwaves with ammunition that is more able to destroy their minds and rob them of their innocence and crush their little spirits.
Only a fool would put poison on the same table as dinner and expect their children to discern the difference. That’s exactly what we do when we don’t strategically monitor what and how much our children watch on tv.
We strive to keep our own hearts pure and to avoid temptation, yet, what temptations are our children facing everyday that only intensifies from what they feed into their minds through the media of this world.
The problem is we have forgotten that this world is an enemy of God!
When you look at the children around you most of us see tomorrows leader;, we’re looking at the church of tomorrow. Many of us see grandkids, nieces, nephews, but when hell looks at our kids it see one thing….a “target”. The enemy is out to destroy this generation.
Our kids are exposed to ungodly influences at school and the media. The world is changing all around them. Your home should be the one place where they are protected, both psychically and spiritually.
Let God use you as a parent, to counter attack all that the enemy has hit them with. Fortify your home with prayer, the word of God and Godly influences.
If your child knows more about Brittney Spears than the Apostle Paul then something’s wrong and is only going to get worse, unless your purpose in your heart is to put God above entertainment. What’s most important to you will naturally become important to the little feet that follow you.
The words of------------have never been more timely than they are today. “The less joy we have, the more entertainment we need.”
Entertainment becomes counterfeit joy. It is temporal and actually robs us of the true joy that comes from time spent with God in his presence. David said in Psalm--------“In his presence is joy forever.” Just like every other addiction, it only pacifies the emotions for a short time, but never satisfies. The more we get, the more we need!
We, as a result, become weak and powerless in the spirit. Nehemiah ----- says. “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” To be strong in the Lord you must have the joy of the Lord in your life.
Do you have the joy of the Lord in your life? One way to know how much joy you have is to turn off the tv and radio, put down the magazines and give yourself to God in prayer and the word. Spend a few days on a “media fast”. If you find after a brief time getting bored, depressed, not knowing what to do with your time, in desperate need of a quick Nickelodeon fix, then you need the joy of the Lord!
Worldly entertainment appeals to the flesh. But the joy that we are to have comes when we walk and live in the spirit.
