His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day
and night. Psalm 1:2
The cartoon depicted a frustrated father changing a flat tire in the rain. His two
children were peering out the car window. In response to their complaining, he said,
"Don't you understand? This is life. This is what's happening. We can't switch to
another channel!"
Television and realitydoes the former distort the latter? After 10 years of
research, media analyst Kenneth Curtis measured TV's impact on society. He concluded that
the omnipresent, flickering screen constantly tries to tell us what behavior and attitudes
are desirable. He described the effect of TV as a subtle process that has become a
significant force in defining reality.
If this is true, we had better be careful about what we watch. The networks are not
committed to portraying Christian values. Many things that are presented as acceptable are
in fact dangerous. Furthermore, watching TV makes us passive observers rather than active
participants in solving life's problems. The violence, sex, and materialism on TV can make
us insensitive to our calling as Christians to be salt and light in a sinful world.
Only as we meditate on God's Word (Psalm 1:2) can we have the right perspective. To avoid
a distorted view of life, we must allow God's truth to define reality.
-MRDII
Our thoughts are shaped by what we see,
And thoughts affect our soul;
So if we'd profit from TV,
We must be in control.
-DJD
The Bible is the best TV guide.