I keep looking, searching, hoping, but its just not happening. Remote control firmly in hand, surfing with a sanctified desire to discover new vistas of vision, entertainment and edification, I finish each scan with similar empty frustration and disillusionment. It just doesn’t exist- new programming that might give hope to the righteous; television shows that might have redeeming value; movies that still retain some vestige of justice, purpose and truth- they seem to be fewer and further apart.
It seems the only way to find anything praiseworthy is to lower your expectations and hence, your standards. Thus the plight of the righteous seems permanently established. The promised land does not exist on the bandwidths of television air waves.
I know what some will say. “What about Christian television?” Even others, with the desire to hold on to the dim hope that still flickers from the fifties when Americans were being hooked and addicted to TV, might say, “Oh Pastor, its not that bad, “there’s still a lot of good shows” or with fervor, “there are some Christians who are becoming a righteous influence in the industry”.
I would not want to discourage anyone who has such hope. Hope is a good thing. We have many friends with Christian television programs and in fact, we have three, produced in our own church!
Yes, I must admit, that infrequently and randomly I discover a few remaining vestiges of wholesome entertainment that encourage my heart and promote good values. And yes I have heard the same thing, that passionate brothers and sisters are proactively involving themselves in the entertainment industry to provide some measure of revival and redemption. For all these things I am glad and rejoice.
We shouldn’t fool ourselves, there has been and there continues to be a flood of wickedness and evil portrayed before the eyes of the world and it is flowing out of Christian America. I am embarrassed when I hear of the programming that is being broadcast around the world that has our culture’s name attached to it. I have stood in many international pulpits and apologized for American television. Just as the Scripture says, in the last days things will degenerate and evil men will grow “worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived”.
I am an optimist and love to preach hope, vision and faith but our faith must be focused on the right thing. I believe the Kingdom of God is progressing and penetrating more and more of the cultures of the world through the Gospel. However, the leaven of ungodliness is also at work and even now has found its deceptive and degenerating way into the homes and hearts of many serious and sincere believers. Gullible, naive and easily led astray, the scripture also predicts their plight and the presence of many who will “fall away” and a host of once believing disciples who will be seduced by doctrines of devils. How would any true believer ever sit under the teaching of demons? If it was appealing enough, convincing and attractive, alluring, set to the right music and presented in the right package- apparently many would!
It is no wonder an entire new generation is growing up in the post modern generation of Americans with little or no knowledge of God, the Bible or absolute truth. They are bombarded day and night with lewdness, nudity, sorcery, magic, fantasy, immorality, rebellion, and a myriad display of the works of the flesh.
Think of it- just in the past few years- the increase of television programming that includes the now common warning labels that flash on our Hi-def screens, “Viewer discretion advised”. In a constant effort to secure ratings and make the money, networks and broadcast companies vie for our attention by barraging our minds with ever new means of dissipation. It is becoming acceptable to cross the line that seems to scream to the public that fornication, adultery and immorality is normal. Are there any romances left in Hollywood or New York that don’t sleep together before marriage? All the while the subtle persecution and denigration of anyone who has faith or standards continues to grow.
As people of faith we must have an aggressive strategy of faith to not just defend and protect ourselves, but we must have a plan to proactively address our culture with the options of truth. Rather than trying to compete with the world we need to give them what they can’t find anywhere else!
The dynamic powers of regeneration are available to every believer. We can access and employ the weapons of righteousness - such as the blood, the Spirit and the Word as we faithfully and diligently seek the Lord and serve Him in daily obedience. In the gatherings of the Church, people can find relief, deliverance and supernatural help and escape the corruption of the world around us. Not only is this possible for us, but also for all those who believe- and all those who are sincerely seeking.
This new year can be one of re-generation instead of de-generation! We make the choice- we choose the tools- and we are the ones who can turn the tide!