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Post by bereanman on Oct 25, 2005 1:47:14 GMT -5
One word: Television My opinion: What on God's green earth would a Christian be doing watching television? Scripture: Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Article: www.jesus-is-lord.com/whats.htm With all love, brethren. www.tirse.net/tenet.htm |
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Post by Brother Ben on Oct 25, 2005 12:34:35 GMT -5
Yes, sensative like a ticking time bomb, some may actually enjoy tinkering with them  (bombs and t.v.'s,) but as for me and my house, we will abstain! Bro. Ben |
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Post by benshelpmeet on Oct 25, 2005 13:57:33 GMT -5
Amen! Good article! The only thing I disagree with is substituting Videos for TV, I know that this is the first step for many christians before they get rid of the TV (appearance of evil ) altogether. (1Thess 5:22) Abstain from all appearance of evil. I have found very few truely '' good / Pure '' Videos. One can find much better use of their time than wasteing it in front of a Video. In this fast paced, busy life we all live we have precious little time for Videos. When we went to war with Irac my oldest son said how he was glad we did not have a TV because of all the time we would have wasted sitting in front of the set listening and watching the news reports. Instead we listened on radio and saw pictures in the paper at the store. We were able to stay freed up to do our daily chores and attend to home life. This is true for any major event that happens in our Nation. We got rid of our TV in 2000 and do not regret it one bit. Our children are more pleasant and productive. They have become more creative and a blessing to others. I went to those web sites with so called ''good'' videos and I was not impressed. We do not promote or endorse Video watching on this site. It is a waste of ones time and unessary at best. I think the person who wrote that article has had a belly full of worldly entertainment and is definately on the right track, I pray he takes the next step and gets rid of it all together.  |
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Post by rso on Oct 25, 2005 14:03:46 GMT -5
Dear Brother,
Unfortunately this is something that you can only be lead out of, not dragged out of so consider this as you encounter those still in it. It has to get out of one's heart before it can get out of their life. I believe that in most instances its not best to seek to get it out of another's life but rather to get the word of God into their life. The minimal (1 or 2 pages a day or less) or absence of Bible reading in the lives of many Christians renders most unable to see the harm that Hollywood will do in their heart and home. Only God can open their eyes (Ps 146:8) to the spiritual nature of its deadly influence. So don't despise the blind or condemn them(Ps 109:16) but rather pray for them (Rev 3:17) for their condition is a very fearful one to be in, like Lot's. Sadly, for some, it seems like the only happiness they have at the present which is quite tragic. I would suggest that you encourage and challenge them in significant daily Bible reading (Ps 119:130) and see if God won't do great things.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Brother O'Neill
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Post by benshelpmeet on Oct 26, 2005 12:04:57 GMT -5
Dear Bro. Bob, Thank you for your post and careing spirit about those who are decieved by TV watching. With much respect of your office ( as pastor ) with carefulness I write this reply. Unfortunately this is something that you can only be lead out of, not dragged out of so consider this as you encounter those still in it. It has to get out of one's heart before it can get out of their life.When we got rid of our TV, VCR, and many videos, I can truely say I loved watching shows/ movies. We got rid of it because of outspoken, sometimes bothersome breathren. They rode that topic till we felt it best for all concerned to get rid of it. They told us it was not something we shold portake in and we believed them not because we disliked the practice ( though we did see some negative fruit from it and negative influances from watching it ). It was not until it was gone for sometime that we really started to realize that it was good for us it was gone, it was then and only then that the Lord started healing the loss of our close carnal christian friend the TV/ VCR. That taught many subtle ungodly things to our family. Worldly responces and attitudes toward others, it taught us how to not be satisfied, we always desired more videos ( ours were old we'd seen that many times already, it taught us to fuss and complain ( not to perfer oneanother ) the children would argue (in a sweet way  ) what video they wanted to watch, Much time was spent ( waisted watching Videos... The list could go on and on. We enjoyed our movies. We would not have made this choice on our own, I'm so glad the brethren would not let this topic rest in our life. We needed help and we did not know it. I believe that in most instances its not best to seek to get it out of another's life but rather to get the word of God into their life. The minimal (1 or 2 pages a day or less) or absence of Bible reading in the lives of many Christians renders most unable to see the harm that Hollywood will do in their heart and home. Only God can open their eyes (Ps 146:8) to the spiritual nature of its deadly influence.We use to read our bibles alot less, and compared to live action on Videos, it seemed quite boaring, just something we were required to do. Most christians, even pastors read their bibles very little. They would never be in it enough to make a differance, much less for it to make them want to get rid of the poison they love and justify in their minds as not harmful. The bible is a powerful thing, but Gods people do not read their bibles like they should. Gods people need to cry aloud the sins of this would to open their eyes that they might rid themselves of distructive practices ,then the Lord can do a work in their hearts as they start seeking Him because they have time to do so, and sadly to say nothing better to do. So don't despise the blind or condemn them(Ps 109:16) but rather pray for them (Rev 3:17) for their condition is a very fearful one to be in, like Lot's. Sadly, for some, it seems like the only happiness they have at the present which is quite tragic. I would suggest that you encourage and challenge them in significant daily Bible reading (Ps 119:130) and see if God won't do great things. I agree we should not condem them this is a most unchristian attitude and the results are not good. Christians should lead by example and testimony, remembering where they have come from and how much ground they have still yet to go. I agree that we need to have much compassion on others, Christian people are hurting, they have no direction, no answers, no comfort, their lives are spinning out of control, they look around themselves and see the state of their peers and are dismayed and confused, they just do what everyone (other christian peers including their pastor ) else is doing, sports, TV and VCR , immodest clothing styles, hair dos, make up, beaty ''christian '' music, lavish living, partenership marrages, etc... If Gods people do not stand against wrong practices, who will? We need to do this in love and because of love for their souls. I sure hope this has come across in a sweet, godly respectful reply, because it was sure ment that way. I greatly respect you Bro. Bob, you are a man of God, and you are rasing a fine family and you have a radient wife. I just wanted to expound on this topic so passers by will understand our heart beat here. Bro. Ben has read my reply and is satisfied with it so I'll go ahead and post. Blessings to you and your precious family Brother. |
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Post by bereanman on Oct 26, 2005 21:13:19 GMT -5
Wow, some beautiful comments and posts, I'm not used to this. ;D
My wife and I too, did not imagine how much more sensitive we would become to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and how much more discernment we would have to the suble wickedness of this world.
My wife took a little more convincing (and convicting) to get her to forsake tv, but since I love her soooooooo much, it wasn't too hard to gently but consistently teach her that this was something we should get away from.
Especially for us, because we are in the ministry now, we need to be blameless (I Tim. 3) and beyond reproach. It's hard enough to strive for that kind of testimony without having the distraction of tv to so subtley influence us. The Scripture that I showed her that seemed to work the best was:
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. - Jesus
She didn't understand at first why it was so important for us to forsake it, but she did trust me and the Lord (Praise God!) and gave it up. Now she is more vocal than me about what a difference it has made in our lives. Her spiritual discernment is becoming pretty keen.
In the past 3 1/2 years the only thing to grace the tube in our house has been two preaching tapes, one Christian documentary on the evils of rock music, two prophecy tapes (not movies), and one play about John on the island of Patmos.
In my unsaved life, I couldn't go a week without 10-20 hours of tv. After I got saved, that was reduced to about 5-10 hours a week because I felt the Holy Spirit being quenched by it. About 1 1/2 years after being saved, I cut it out all together, my wife joining me, and we haven't missed it since.
Besides, there's no tv that can ever compare to the sweet sight and sound of my wife reading Scripture to me, and I to her.
Y'all are a blessing! ;D
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Post by rso on Nov 7, 2005 14:08:54 GMT -5
Perhaps I was not clear in my previous posting regarding television. I did not mean to imply that I do not warn others regarding it. I do preach against it and provide tracts and related items when the opportunity avails itself. What I was referring to was dealing those who I don't know too well or those who are likely to get very offended and even end a relationship over it. There are many souls hooked on it who have been handled unwisely or coldly over the matter and consequently consider all those who bring up the subject to be self righteous pharisees.
So in an effort to reach them I try to use discretion in my dealings and wait for an opportunity when they are of a more humble disposition (when trials come) and are looking for counsel. I have found that so many of them either don't really have a right walk with God, right relations with their spouse or children, or even use or read the authorized version, so they would not know what do with themselves or their time if they did give it up.
Personally, I thank God for the preachers and tracts God used to get it out of our life. I would not want to stand before the Lord one day and try to justify why I spent thousands of hours being entertained or watching "news & more" during my Christian life while my family duties were calling, saints were hurting and souls were perishing all around.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Brother O'Neill 2 Cor 7:1
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Post by benshelpmeet on Nov 7, 2005 22:12:29 GMT -5
Amen! Thank you for explaining. I misunderstood what you were saying in your first post.  Thank you for expounding on your beliefs on this topic. It a blessing to see how many people have a conviction about TV/ VCR watching. God Bless you, ~ sister Darlene ~ |
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(bombs and t.v.'s,) but as for me and my house, we will abstain! 
) what video they wanted to watch, Much time was spent (waisted watching Videos... The list could go on and on. We enjoyed our movies. We would not have made this choice on our own, I'm so glad the brethren would not let this topic rest in our life. We needed help and we did not know it.