I know what this woman feels like as I have been there, too, with my husband, although it hasn't been *too* bad overall.

My motto has been Philipians 4:8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Of course, it often seems that no show measures up, but then there are others that at least seem better than other options. As one who gets upset with violence or sexuality in a blatant, sensationalized way, I don't feel that this is a difficult area for me personally. I tend to stick to home improvement shows, Amazing Race, American Idol (which does have its moments with language and song lyrics). Some of those shows open up discussion with my teenagers that I might not have been able to bring up otherwise. Some wisely prescreened and chosen movies can also lead to good discussions.

However, this is one of the concerns I have as a mother and as a Christian. I have seen numerous teens and young adults coming to Christ, being baptized, yet going on their way as if Christ were not interested in what we see and listen to. When I became a Christian I immediately got rid of anything that I felt was objectionable, which was a lot of what I had! Looking back now I think I overreacted, and have since added back certain cd's from the past that really weren't bad, but perhaps at the time they would have not been good for me. Yet I don't find much censoring and analyzing going on with most young Christians, and even older, more mature Christians.

We had this discussion at my church and was surprised that several people defended their actions by saying that it doesn't affect them. Pehaps it does not affect them in ways they can see or acknowledge, but I sometimes think it affects us in ways we cannot detect, but may come out in time. I also feel the more we watch things that emphasize and even promote wrong behavior, the more indifferent and apathetic we may become about those same types of things in real life.

Overall, I think we are too interested in being entertained, maybe to escape the pressures in real life.

I am not of the mindset of get rid of the tv altogether, because personally I feel we need to learn how to use it wisely more than not using it at all. The tv is not good or bad in itself. It is we who make the decision as to watch negative shows that turn it into an instrument of wrong. Not saying anyone *has* to watch television, but sometimes its better to learn self-control knowing temptations exist everywhere than trying to run from all potentially negative situations. It's like one who wants to lose weight so they vow never to eat again (of course we need to eat!). Well, to eat too much and to eat too little are both potential problems. It's better to learn how to moderate what we eat, which is harder to do than go to either extreme. I feel much the same way about entertainment. If we restrict too much we may tend toward legalism and if we watch too much we will lean toward indulgence. I think a lot of the Christian walk is trying to find the middle narrow road between two extremes.

Just some ideas.

Those are all LOADED questions - but excellent questions - that more people OUGHT to be asking. But I don't even know where to start.......so I'll just throw out a few things that come immediately to mind.

I do believe that, in general, we are a society that is entertaining itself to death. In fact, I also believe (although wouldn't know how to "prove" it) that there is a direct corelation between TV / movies, etc. and the relatively recent phenomenon of "spectator" Christianity.

But the morality issue is (to me) obvious. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable if Jesus Christ was sitting in your living room, nail scarred-hands around your shoulder, watching whatever it is you're watching with you - if the answer is "yes" - then ok. However, from my very limited perspective, not much these days meets that criteria. Even if the show is good, often the commercials are risque. The old story of the frog and the water contains a powerful truth: You can't put a frog in boiling water - he would hop right out. But you CAN put a frog in cold water, and heat it up slowly....until he cooks. Only a few short years ago most people (not just Christians) would have been shocked by what is on TV today - and now no one thinks a thing about it. We have become accustomed to our sin.

The other thing I want to say is compare the amount of time (literally) that you spend in any sort of entertainment (TV-movies-IPOD, etc.) with how much time you spend developing your relationship with Christ in prayer, Bible study, etc. That is also a clue to whether or not that box in your living room has become an idol in your life.

Finally, - not sure you would be interested, but I'm throwing this in for good measure - my husband and I have a TV, but we do not have reception of any kind (no cable, no dish). The only thing our TV is good for is watching a movie now and then. I know how radical that sounds to most people - but we actually love it. We read a LOT; we take walks at least two or three times a week in the evening; we play games together (our kids are long grown); we sit in front of the fireplace and talk; we garden; we often have friends over. We have time to live life - instead of having our lives entertained away. Again, I know that is not for everyone. It is just a decision we made - about 7 years ago - and wouldn't go back for anything.

Another thing that we need to put into play here is that we are to do nothing to cause another person to stumble. The husband betrayed his wife when he broke the pack that they had made thus he was a stumblingblock to her. For that trust to be restored he needs to repent to her and to God.

This Christian man and Christian wife made vows to each other when they first were married. If indeed Christian, these presumably straightforward and biblical marriage vows should not have been a stumbling block one to the other. Why then would more vows, promises, contracts, pledges or “pacts” be sworn to? The “pact” to always keep in mind and imprinted on one’s heart is primarily and foremost the “pact” one makes to their authority [lord] Jesus who is to be our bridegroom. This likewise should not be a stumbling block, but an easy yoke for the humble and loving weaker-vessel to bear. The marriage vows between a male and female should likewise follow that Godly example, i.e., don’t become scribes and make up a billion laws and rules with promises which jeopardize a relationship. What’s the rule of thumb for a Christian towards the bridegroom Jesus? Humility and obedience by a singular desire and an all-encompassing love for the bridegroom.

In this particular case, since there was no specific claim of the husband fantasizing, burning and yearning for being with an appealing woman on TV (which is the wife’s field of fulfillment), the husband did not “betray his wife.” The husband did not commit adultery with another woman by merely viewing “worldly” content which he is bound to see outside his house in any case (hopefully not inside). The husband was merely stupid enough to listen to someone other than his head and authority (which is Christ), and he agreed to a type of “pact” not spoken of in the Bible. Nor is the husband’s wife to be his taskmaster; for the man is accountable to his head Jesus.

It is generally agreed that God is the “author” of the Holy Bible. He is also the “director” who causes all things to work for good those who don’t challenge or tempt Him. He is also the primary “actor”, and we are His humble understudies who conform to His ways. He also constantly holds the “Q-cards” and whispers prompts to our ears. And for those weaker vessels who truly love all His laws, statutes and judgments as much as did King David, He is also the “producer” of all good fruits in us. He is the ruling vessel who, when truly and singularly loved, gives to the weaker vessel good understanding… even a constant and ongoing “P.G. rating” and His personal guidance for everything we see and hear in this world which we have not yet been taken out of.

Now, if our God finds wickedness, iniquity and immorality unpleasant to look upon, why then would His followers, who conform to Him, relish or take joy in such darkness? We may see it like a barometer of what is happening in the world, but need not endorse it. The Hollywoods of this world make big money by offering what tempts the darkness [lusts] within people. Of course it is all properly masked with the white linens of purported public concern, caring, being informative, being educational, and being mentally challenging while its greatest ulterior motive slithers stealthily into ones heart - the deserved right of the weaker vessel to rise up and rule… even to be as God. Ask Eve if that program worked for her. And yet 99.99% of all programs have this underlying and often covert theme which is acceptable even to most Christians.

We are at liberty to do as we please. Personally, being a content weaker vessel, I prefer to use my liberty to do as pleases my Bridegroom. But to do this, I must first listen to him very closely, and without judging him or finding fault with any of His perfect and righteous judgments. My only “pact” is loving Him totally and allowing my bridegroom to change me… not me changing him. And I find him to be sufficient in “entertaining” me, i.e., he is interesting, enjoyable, educational, compelling, challenging, insightful, informative, fulfilling and so much more.

You are what you eat. If a person prefers to partake and indulge in the eye-candy of TV, that’s his business. If a person prefers to indulge in the bread of Life, that’s his business. Either way, one gets fattened up… one possibly for the slaughter; one possibly for the kingdom with the wonderful King and Ruler.

In this age of extraordinary perversion, let the Christian who has wisdom figure out why there is such a massive falling away from the true faith in Christ. The apostasy is not down the road. Even now there are many fraudulent Christians who perform all the standard and acceptable ceremonies of becoming a Christian, be it claiming Jesus is the Son of God, claiming Jesus as their savior, becoming baptized, taking communion, attending church services and studies, praying diligently, offering tithes, leading others to the lord and performing all manner of good works, and yet they overrule the judgments of God implying that He is incompetent and less than Holy. There are many evangelical Christians who differ not from the Catholics at whom we point fingers. They have risen up to not only change the judgments and ways of the authority of the God Head, but have stirred up others who are less secured in the Truth and have lead them astray. Yes, they worship the name “Jesus,” but being overcome by their lusts and strong delusion, they have changed the Truth into a lie. They are fully confident in their “salvation” even while worshipping the image of the beast (a false or changed image of God). The mark of the beast is not something which is far off in the future. Yet five of the virgins have oil in their lamps. These five, being filled with the Holy Spirit, understand that the female does not rise up to rule the male. The church bride does not rise up to overrule the bridegroom Jesus; nor does she mock him, ridicule him, demean him, belittle him or take him to task making him accountable to her. She, as the weaker vessel, humbly and gratefully honors and glorifies him as her authority and head - as says the Lord. These five virgins choose to love authority and rulers as God commands. The other five virgins, who have the appearance of godliness, can memorize all the text of the Word, but have not received Christ within, so give it their personal interpretation which is convenient for them. They have denied Christ.

It is not the TV set which inscribes the six-six-six upon the forehead or hand of a person, but the desire to become of greater prominence or stature, or to become wealthier in this life even while under the guise of being “Christian.” If one still has a heartbeat, it’s not too late to examine oneself to see if he/she is in the way… the way of the Holy God.
- Favi