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Should I Watch This? A Call to Consider the Impact of Entertainment on Your Life

5.) Would I watch this if it happened in my living room?

Events and circumstances become more real to you as you move closer to them. For example, a million pictures of orphans in China won’t impact your life the way flying to China and seeing those orphans personally will. I would rather see Tiffani for a day than look at dozens of different pictures of her for months.

So, if you’re struggling with whether a movie celebrates sin, ask yourself this question: If it happened in my living room, would I watch it?

6.) Is this the BEST use of my time?

How you spend your time is a stewardship issue. The trendy phrase is “redeeming the time.” What you call it doesn’t matter, the important thing is that you understand God will hold you accountable for how you use your time.

So, although entertainment is inherently good, the real issue becomes how you use God’s good gift. Are you using it to wind down and refresh your mind? Are you looking for elements of God’s character? Are you consuming it in excess? Are you watching it to fill your selfish pleasures?

These questions matter. And there’s no cut-and-dry answer, unless, of course, you’re binge-watching 30 episodes of Breaking Bad. Hard to justify that. What’s entertainment and refreshment for me might be gluttony and filling of selfish pleasures for you. So, you must examine your heart and check your motives.

7.) Am I watching this because I am bored?

Boredom, in essence, is a lack of interest or apathy with your current situation. In my teenage years, I experienced boredom quite often. But, in the last several years, I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve said, “I’m bored.”

Here’s why. I’m doing work that I love. I enjoy getting up every day. I love ministering to the next generation. I love writing. I love spending time with my family. Here’s another way to say it: I’m living out my purpose and doing meaningful work.

You see, boredom is a product of over-consumption and/or laziness. You won’t hear world-changers say they’re bored very often. They’re too busy doing meaningful work. They’re too busy impacting lives. You see, the remedy to boredom isn’t to consume more. The remedy is to create something. Do something meaningful.

The remedy to boredom is to do something meaningful with your life.

I love this question because it reminds you that God created you for a purpose. He didn’t create you to simply exist. He created you to … create. So, next time you’re bored, rather than running to Netflix or the local movie theater, try doing something meaningful.

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When it comes to the movies you watch, intentionality and purpose must factor in the equation. “I probably shouldn’t watch it, but …” “I’m trying to relate to my non-Christian friends” or “It’s harmless entertainment” aren’t sufficient answers. Neither is “I just don’t watch movies or TV.”

This isn’t THE guide for choosing which movies to watch. It’s an open door for discussion. What you allow into your mind shapes your life. Let’s consider that as we choose how we consume any form of entertainment.

What do you think? How should Christians approach entertainment? Leave a comment below.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!