At the end of my last post I mentioned how not watching TV affected my thoughts. I suppose I always knew that whatever we filled our mind with would somehow work its way into our everyday lives. For example that song that gets stuck in your head and the book you're reading that you have to recommend.
Sitcoms and movies are like this, too. Have you ever noticed how the kind of comedy we see on a screen tends to determine what we think is funny in real life? If you're like me, you have quoted movies or shows that you think are funny in your everyday. In fact, I see teenagers (especially guys) do this all the time. How many of these "jokes" are edifying. Most are raunchy or degrading or negative or all of the above. Even if we don't repeat them, we think about them and giggle to ourselves. At least, this describes what I have experienced personally.
This brings two verses to mind. The first is Ephesians 5:4, "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." It is much easier to obey this when I am not feeding my heart and mind with filth and crude joking.
The second is Matthew 12:34, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Our heart is filled with whatever we choose to fill it with. Since I have stopped watching TV, I noticed that my heart is filled more with the things of God. I don't read the Bible all night long, but I do read it more. I read a lot of articles about theology and Christian perspective. My christian walk has grown so much more since February. I think it's because I am able to wrestle with the Bible and meditate on it. Most importantly, there is very little with which the Holy Spirit has to contend, so I hear God more clearly.
Hopefully it won't be a month until I write again, but until I do, What are you watchin'?
Hi! I'd been reading your post and I agree with your points. I'm a former tv addict. I'll sit on a couch with food on my side and I'll be watching tv for 24 hours or more. But that was a long time ago. Now with tv gone, I have more time talking with my friends, relatives and so on and it's such a great time having a conversation with those you love.
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