We live in an unprecedented age of Christian entertainment choices. The average American spends over 10 hours per day in front of a screen. Never before have we had so many options of TV shows, movies, music, blogs, social media and books available through so many different mediums (TV, Internet, Netflix, etc.). How can we make sure we faithfully follow Christ in this new entertainment age?
“But,” says one, “are we not to have amusements?” Yes, such amusements as you can take in the fear of God. Do what Jesus would have done.” —Charles Spurgeon
Discerning media consumption needs more than a litmus test of saying we shouldn’t watch excessive violence and sexuality (which is true). We need to understand the complex and often subtle effects of media on our lives.
Let me be the first to say that I love all sorts of digital media, and get much spiritual benefit from thinking through them in light of Scripture. My goal with this simple list is to help you think more Christianly about what you consume as Christian entertainment choices. As you read, ask the Lord how He may want you to change to make the most of your short life.
Christian Entertainment Choices – 10 Questions to Ask
1. Do your entertainment choices add anything of value to your life?
For Christians, media consumption can range from a harmless diversion and relationship-builder to an idol-creating machine that wastes your life and effectiveness for the Lord. Think through how entertainment helps you achieve God’s purposes for you on earth. What value would be missing if you were to never flip your TV on again or to delete the apps that most distract you?
2. What desires do my entertainment choices cultivate in my heart?
What impact does entertainment have on your desires for God? If I’m not intentional, my media consumption cultivates sinful desires.
I remember watching a movie I didn’t expect to be so raunchy at a friend’s house in high school and feeling distanced from God afterward. I realized my desires changed after watching the movie. I no longer desired to pray or read the Word like before. My flesh craved the raunchiness I saw in the movie and I had to confess my sin to God and feed on His word for a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). Chances are my example doesn’t sound strange to you. Psalm 1 describes the blessed person as one who both constantly meditates on the Word of God and doesn’t sit in the path of the wicked. That night at my friend’s house I was sitting on a sofa in the path of the wicked as the movie’s warped messages subtly shaped my desires.
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Not every entertainment choice will have the same effects, however. We can train ourselves during more ‘neutral’ entertainment to direct our gaze to the Lord in worship and ponder entertainment through the lens of the gospel (read The Stories We Tell by Mike Cosper for how to do this). Here are four questions that can help us with this:
- How does this reflect the beauty and goodness of God’s creation?
- How does this reflect the sinfulness of humanity?
- How does this reflect our need for a Savior who changes hearts?
- How might this deepen our longing for the restoration, peace and fullness of life we will enjoy for all of eternity?
3. Do you complain about wickedness in entertainment more than you pray for the people who make it?
Entertainment is filled with the silly, the sensational and the sinful. It can be a temptation to complain about the dumb/wicked things people do more than seeing them as sinners who need a Savior. Instead of complaining, pray for the salvation of those you could easily criticize (1 Timothy 2:1–4).
4. Does my entertainment consumption help me redeem the time in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16)?
Kent Hughes writes in The Disciplines of a Godly Man, “It is impossible for any Christian who spends the bulk of his evenings, month after month, week after week, day in and day out, watching the major TV networks or contemporary videos to have a Christian mind… A Biblical mental program cannot coexist with worldly programming.”
If the world compared your entertainment habits to your habits seeking God through prayer and Bible reading, what would they see as most important for you? Life is a breath, a vapor, and grass that quickly fades. Don’t let the easy things in life steal from the more valuable.
5. Do I want my entertainment habits to be imitated by my children (or those I lead)?
If you are a parent or leader of any kind, be warned that you pass on your bad habits to the next generation. You are also susceptible to let your kids be discipled by entertainment and leave them as pleasure-loving materialists with dull hearts toward spiritual truth. Seek to set a godly example in your consumption of entertainment.
