I would like to share an observation and opinion today about the state of our society and what is influencing thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. It is getting more and more difficult to watch TV and keep my thoughts focused on Jesus and what the Bible teaches. There is an increasing number of shows each season that disregard what the Bible teaches about morality and sin. Even more than that, I believe there is a growing trend in TV shows to display the desirability of immoral behavior to the point that many shows include scenes which have nothing to do with the plot but that directly show an acceptance of sinful behaviors. 
I am not talking about illegal behaviors though I believe they are being portrayed in a more favorable light as well. I am talking about actions the Bible says are sinful but not necessarily illegal. TV programming is desensitizing us to sin so we see it but don’t object to it. This started a long time ago and has been gradually increasing over the last 50 or more years to the place we see things the Bible clearly says are wrong but it doesn’t seem all that bad.
Probably the most prominent sin portrayed on television today is sexual sin in all of it’s many forms, including but not limited to casual sex, one night stands, extra-marital affairs, etc. The list is very long. Other sins would include idolatry, lying, gossip, disrespect to parents, and many others. It is hard to find a show, that is currently on TV, that does not include sexual sin of some type or another as a normal part of the story. The problem with this is younger generations are learning from TV programming that this is “normal” behavior. People in their teens who watch a lot of TV have not seen the gradual change from early TV shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show where Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore slept in separate twin beds even though they were married and had a child all the way to more modern shows where it is a a common occurrence that strangers meet in a bar and in less than an hour end up in bed together. They are not getting the message this is not acceptable behavior unless someone is actively teaching them what the Bible says is wrong and what is right.
Another problem with TVs portrayal of sinful behavior, sexual or other, is the consequences are not always accurately displayed. Diseases, pregnancy, and many other consequences, including the emotional damage done are devastating, life changing, and often permanent. Let me share an example. I worked with a 16 year old girl many years ago who went home from the children’s home where I worked for a weekend visit with her family. While at home she had sex with her boyfriend. She later told us this was her first time and I believe her, but whether it was truly her first experience with sex or not it had a permanent effect on her life. She stated they used a condom to prevent pregnancy which apparently worked—she did not get pregnant. But, she did get genital warts. She not only had to suffer through the pain of the initial breakout but she will have them the rest of her life—there is no cure. This one encounter had life-long, devastating consequences. In Kentucky, and most states, 16 is old enough to engage in consensual sex. But, she was not emotionally ready for it and suffered greatly because of that decision. Her suffering was not limited to physical pain and/or disease, her self image and emotional state were greatly disturbed due to this. You may be thinking this is an extreme example I am suing to make my point—there is some truth to that. This is an extreme example, but, this is certainly not an isolated incident. In more than 20 years working as a therapist/counselor I have worked with hundreds of people with similar stories. The consequences are real and many people have experienced physical and emotional trauma because of poor choices. The very smae choices are consistently portrayed on TV shows all the time without any mention of the consequences.
There is another type of consequence to sexual behavior that is permanent and difficult to deal with. I am talking about spiritual consequences. Obviously, one spiritual consequence is salvation. The consequence of asking God to forgive your sinful nature and receiving Jesus as LORD and Savior is eternal life with God and peace through the salvation and forgiveness God offers. But, there are additional spiritual consequences to sexual sin—I believe a connection is made (spiritual connection) when you have a sexual encounter with another person. That spiritual connection is difficult to let go of and can continue to be a source of sin and temptation years later. I don’t think this has to be a more intimate sexual encounter—it might just be a kiss. Look at what Paul said to the church at Corinth:
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
Paul states, sexual sin is different than all other sins. I believe one of the differences is the connection made between the sexual partners which, if not broken, will cause spiritual and other problems later.
I have used sexual immorality as examples since I believe our society is experiencing an epidemic of negative problems related to sexual sins and TV has played a large part in weakening the moral standards of our society. Let me clear up one point right now. Some of you might think I am saying sex is wrong. I am not saying sex is always wrong or sinful. Sex is a beautiful thing that God has given us to be enjoyed and also to produce children. But, God has also given us some rules that tell us when it’s appropriate or not. Basically, the Bible says sex outside of marriage is a sin—not necessarily illegal, though some sexual behavior is illegal. So, if it’s not illegal, why does it matter? Sins separate us from God. Sexual sin comes in many forms that are legal but they will still separate you or keep you separated from God. If you don’t care about being close to God then sin shouldn’t concern you until death takes your body and your soul is judged by God. Then being close to God will matter. Don’t forget, you can only be “right” with God, or in a “right relationship” with God through Jesus. Being sexually pure will not save you without the “right relationship” with God through Jesus.
OK, back to the TV. I am not saying we all have to throw away our TVs but I am encouraging parents and other adults who are responsible for young children to take a more active role in choosing what programs are acceptable. Many newer TVs have a feature that allows you to censor what channels are available. Censorship is not always a bad thing. This danger is not only for your children.
My concern about this goes beyond TV programs only; there is also a growing trend for commercials to be provocative and revealing, including products such as, lingerie, bras, underwear, sexual aids of various kinds, medications for male enhancement, etc. There commercials are appearing earlier and earlier when young children might still be awake. Adults also need to censor what they watch to keep your thoughts pure. There are some TV commercials I make a point to look away from or close my eyes since I don’t want those tempting images to invade my thoughts.
The other thing I see happening is people who attend church on a regular basis and believe what the Bible says and are trying to live accordingly are consistently ridiculed or made fun of by characters on these shows and also by talk show hosts (day time and late night). Usually, when a person is portrayed as a Christian or someone who attends church they are displayed as hypocrites, extreme radicals, or idiots who don’t know better. I always cringe when there is a pastor or minister of some type on a show since they are rarely portrayed in a positive way. People who believe in the Bible are portrayed as “backwards,” “unsophisticated,” “ignorant,” '”unintelligent,” and “superstitious” just to name a few stereotypes.
The bottom line is this. I have learned I can survive for hours and even days without ever turning the TV on. In fact, it doesn’t cause me any physical problems at all to exercise my moral right to pick up the remote and look for something better or even turn the TV off when I see “sinful” behavior portrayed as “right,” “normal,” or “acceptable.” At least it hasn’t killed me yet. Why not try this, turn off the TV and pick up your Bible and read.
Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts about this post.
Blessings,
Tim
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