Good Television

On several occasions, while working in Europe for the development of Christian television, I was told in very certain terms that television was of the devil, and that no Christian had the right to have one of those "machines" in their home.

Now, while I agree that the great majority of television these days is less than wholesome (and in fact some is downright devilish) I must disagree with that blanket condemnation. To make my point, let me use an illustration.

Take a kitchen bread knife. In the hands of my mother, it is a useful tool for the preparation of food. Nothing nicer than a slice of fresh whole-wheat bread. But, in the hands of a psychopath, a knife becomes a dangerous weapon. It really depends on who has control over the knife! As Paul says in Titus 1:15:

"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled."

A part of Christian maturity is the ability to live in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation without succumbing to its perverse seductions. It is immature to condemn anything, let alone television, with a blanket statement claiming it is all intrinsically evil. Just as we grow up and mature from being babies physically, we must also grow in spiritual understanding. Read Heb. 5:14:

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Discerning between good and bad television, or activities, or even teachings, is something which comes with experience, that is, growing up, combined with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Even in the middle of the muck at the mouth of a river, golden nuggets can be found. Read Phil. 1:9-10:

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ."

There is good television, and there is bad television. I would even go so far as to say that there is good Christian television, and there is bad Christian television. A wrong emphasis, or a sustained emphasis on one aspect of Christian faith to the neglect of the `whole counsel of God' can become bad Christian television. There must be a balance of biblical truth, as well as a recognition of the rightful place of the local church before Christian television should be considered good Christian television. Paul gives a excellent guideline in Phil. 4:8:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--- meditate on these things."

How you use a bread knife becomes as natural as breathing, after you understand it's purpose, and use it a few times. So it is in many aspects of Christian living. With understanding a maturity, you will most naturally begin to make the right choices and decisions, including your use of television.

Your slice of life with taste better as you learn to make mature and informed choices.