Called to Be Separate

As never before, today’s world contains an abundance of visual material. No other period of history has been so visually bombarded as we are. The amazing developments of photography, videography, electronic media, and digital technology have made this possible.

            Although many of these developments have opened up a world of information, their sinister side is also apparent. That the caliber of scenes depicted on these media has degenerated beyond belief is a plain fact.

            What position should we as Christians take toward this worldwide problem of corrupt visual media? What does God have to say about television, theater, movies, DVDs, books, maga-zines, and internet material? What principles does He give for choosing what material we view? How are we affected by what we look at?

            In this study, we will examine six Bible principles to help us in our choice of viewing material.

1. The things we view must meet the Bible standard. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what-soever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. 

Do we view things that are true and honest? Or do we focus on the unreal and misleading? Does our viewing material promote justice? Or does it glorify crime, fraud, and wronging our fellow men? Is it pure? Or do we view either explicit or implicit immorality, indecently dressed persons, and romantic scenes that only stir up the desires of the flesh? Is violence lovely? How about scenes glorifying ugly behavior? Even the news must be considered; is it of good report? While its reports may be true, and while a certain amount of information can be helpful, if they are causing us to dwell on the negative and sinful in this world, they do not meet the Bible rule. Are the scenes we view virtuous and praiseworthy or do they rather portray sin?    

This Bible rule is clear. All our viewing material must meet the Bible standard. If it does not, we are opening a door whereby Satan can find entrance to influence our minds.

2. Christians will not choose to view sin. David said, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Psalm 101:3; 119:37. 

         Paul added, “Charity…rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

We choose to view things because we enjoy seeing them. Christians will not find enjoyment in viewing crime, dishonesty, impurity, scenes of worldly pleasure, or the ungodly actions of others.

3. Rather, Christians will find their enjoyment in thinking about the things of God. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3: 1, 2.

The material we place before our eyes is an index to the quality of our spirituality. Where are our interests? Are they on the things of this earth, or the things of God? In their choice of viewing material, as in all other areas, there will be a decided difference between the follower of God and the follower of the world.

4. Much of today’s viewing material is unsuitable for Christians because it portrays sin. The Christian will recognize this solemn fact, and it will lead to great caution in the selection of viewing material. The Christian will be very particular about what he places before his eyes.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28.  “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job 31:1. “The LORD trieth the right-eous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalm 11:5.

            Impurity and violence are rampant today in television, movies, the theater, and the internet. Not only is pornography in all forms clearly condemned by God’s Word, but Jesus also straightly declares that any time a sight leads the viewer to indulge in lustful thoughts, it is the same as committing adultery. Any viewing material that portrays men or women immodestly dressed, or even a suggestion of immorality, is not safe for the Christian, according to this rule. Even scenes of romance are excluded, as they remove our minds from heaven and fasten them on our fleshly desires. They often lead to discontent, lovesick imagination, and ungodly actions. Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look at women with desire. Do you think that he could have enjoyed any of today’s popular viewing material?

            Violence includes not only murder, but all scenes of one person treating another with less than courtesy and respect. Those who view these things become more or less changed by them. Today, crime among both youth and adults is a frightful problem, because of the evil influence of violent viewing material.

            In addition, competitive sports games with their roughness and striving for the mastery are an imitation of war, and must come under the biblical ban for viewing.

            The Bible principle is clear. Sin is sin, and God does not want Christians to, by their own choice, set scenes of sin before their eyes.

5. One of Satan’s greatest tactics of deception is mixing good with a little evil, and he successfully uses this method with viewing material. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:5, 6.  

            The fruit hanging from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was beautiful, tasty, and also promised to make the eater wise. The person who partook of it, said the serpent, would know good and evil. Today, the television set is in many Christian homes a Tree of the Know-ledge of Good and Evil. This tree has some good, interesting, and educational fruit. It also has much fruit, however, that is violent, immoral, irreverent, and worldly. This fruit is so mixed together, that those who partake of it truly experience the fulfillment of the serpent’s promise: “Then your eyes shall be opened.” Scene after scene is opened to their view, and the end result is a familiarity and acquaintance with much that is not uplifting, but rather degrading.

            Other forms of viewing material also offer this “mixed fruit.” Stories enacted at the theater or in a movie may promise to teach a “good moral lesson.” However, much evil is insinuated in the process. All of this mixed viewing material needs to be resolutely rejected as would be a piece of fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Satan’s fruit is no less dangerous today than it was then.

6. We must choose to rid ourselves of any tool by which we are willfully bringing temptation before our eyes. It is true that we cannot avoid seeing sin altogether, as long as we live in this world. However, we can choose not to place it willfully before our eyes.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light…. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:12, 14.  In other words, do not open the door by which temptation could enter. Do not assist Satan in tempting you. Do not willfully place yourself in the way of sin, for God’s angels cannot protect you there.

Jesus said, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29. If some-thing is leading you toward sin, it is a tool of Satan. Jesus spoke of it in no uncertain terms saying, “Cut it off, and cast it from thee.” Verse 30. Do not allow a tool of Satan to remain in your home, or on your table.

What tool is Satan using to set sin before your eyes? The television? Get rid of it. Do not say that you will try to control it better. Remove it from your home. Are magazines bringing im-modest pictures and worldly values to you and your family? Cancel the subscriptions. Has the internet moved from being a useful tool for uplifting communication and beneficial research to a toy for cheap entertainment and waste of time? Is it stealing your time for private devotions, even with “educational” information such as the news? Has it led some of your family members into dangerous avenues such as idle chatting or looking at unclean pictures? If so, cut it off. It is far better to sacrifice some “good” information, than to lose eternal life. What about films or DVDs? If they do not meet God’s principles for viewing material, throw them out. Do not give them away to poison someone else’s home.

            Do not allow Satan to tempt you to hold onto these things, since you do not want to waste the money you put into them. If money has already been wasted in purchasing movies, magazines, or other items which lead you away from God, remember that continuing to keep the items could easily occasion the loss of souls for God’s Kingdom. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36.      

Back to Articles Page