As the book of Proverbs is finally “all commentaried out”, go catch some of the final wise words this week at Proverbial Thought!
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
Psalm 119:37, ESV
“I made a covenant with my eyes . . .”
Job 31:1, NIV
A couple of weeks ago, I announced through Facebook that my wife and I were cancelling our Netflix and Hulu accounts.
This decision had very little to do with what we watch. We try to be rather discerning in what we watch because we do not want to let too many immoral and/or blasphemous things in our minds if we can help it.
Rather, the decision came after a comment made by one of seminary professors.
While working through the book of Acts, we were discussing whether Christianity was a threat to the Roman Empire. My reply was “Technically. I mean, look at when Paul got upset with the girl with the Serpent spirit and cast it out of her in the name of Jesus. The people who were making money off of her fortune-telling were suddenly out of a means of income.”
The conversation then focused on how Christianity messed with the economy of the Empire. This is because makers of idols, workers in pagan temples, and even tour guides around cities with temples would lose business throwing off the entire economy of entire cities if not the entire Empire.
Then the professor made this comment: “Imagine if Christians still gave up all of their idolatrous and ungodly pursuits. How many Christians pay for pornography in our society?”
My initial thought was “I’m glad that is not us!” (Caitlin and me)
Then some conviction set in.
How much have Netflix and Hulu used their profit to produce shows or movies that glorify sex and nudity?
How much have Netflix and Hulu used their profit to produce shows or movies that mock or blaspheme Christians and God?
At first I tried to justify having these accounts:
How many Christian-based things do they show?
It is not like I watch those things!
Netflix especially comes in handy working in a school, for both my wife and me!
I found myself getting angry that I should have to give up something.
Why was I angry and finding such a need to justify my actions if I was doing nothing wrong?
More than anything, I needed to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
So, instead, I turned to my classmate and said “I am not very happy with the professor right now.” We then laughed about my silliness.
Most people I talked with about it went through the same justifications. A couple of them even said I was being too legalistic.
To combat that, a) I am not saying everyone needs to cancel Netflix and Hulu. This is a personal conviction. I certainly will argue for others to let go, because how much do we really need Netflix, Hulu, and television in general? This is especially true when we consider how useless most television is, how ungodly most television is, and how much God and Christians are blasphemed and mocked. b) We still occasionally watch TV. We enjoy being entertained as much as anyone, and not everything on TV is bad for us. c) We will still go to some movies (Speaking of which, The Lego Movie is rather fantastic in a purely entertaining vain!), for through this we might still be able to show Hollywood what kind of content we prefer while supporting some local businesses (or at least our friends who work at local businesses.
More importantly, though, is that we want to not only obey God in our lives but push others toward Christ by refusing to be a part in causing others to stumble:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where
“‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Everyone will be salted with fire.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Mark 9:42-50, NIV
We both felt that our continued subscription to these businesses supported content that could cause others to stumble or even be led astray. We would rather not have these forms of entertainment and be closer to Christ than have to have our conscience troubled if what we are doing is moral and godly. Christ and other people are more important than our temporary enjoyment.
How many things in our lives do we devote too much of our time and money to instead of focusing on loving God and people?
In our culture of instant gratification, pleasure, and stuff, how often do we unplug, sacrifice, and get quiet?
a simple man of God 