What Does the Bible Say About Watching Bad Things?

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to live a life that is pleasing to God. This means we must be mindful of the things we watch and consume, as they can have a significant impact on our spiritual well-being. With the rise of digital media and the proliferation of content available online, it can be challenging to discern what is good and what is bad. In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about watching bad things and how we can apply its principles to our media consumption.

The Bible teaches us to pursue purity and avoid anything that may lead us into temptation. This principle extends to our media consumption, as the things we watch and consume can shape our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. As Christians, we must be mindful of the content we expose ourselves to, and we must seek God’s guidance to determine what is pleasing to Him.

In this blog post, we will discuss the biblical principles that guide our media consumption and examine some examples of bad things people watch and their impact on our spiritual well-being. We will also provide practical tips on how to apply these principles to our media consumption, so that we can live a life that is pleasing to God and honors His will. Let us seek God’s guidance as we navigate this digital age and strive to live a life that is pure and holy.

The Bible’s Perspective on What is “Bad”

To understand what the Bible says about watching bad things, we first need to define what is considered “bad.” The Bible teaches that anything that goes against God’s nature and will is considered bad or sinful. Examples of bad things in the Bible include:

• Sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18)
• Lying and deceit (Proverbs 12:22)
• Anger and bitterness (Ephesians 4:31)
• Idolatry and witchcraft (Galatians 5:19-20)
• Blasphemy and sacrilege (Leviticus 24:16)

It is important to note that what is considered bad may vary based on personal convictions and cultural norms. As Christians, we must use discernment and seek God’s guidance to determine what is pleasing to Him.

The Bible’s Stance on Watching “Bad” Things

The Bible teaches us to pursue purity and avoid anything that may lead us into temptation. Here are some principles that guide our media consumption:

The Principle of Purity

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

This verse teaches us to focus on things that are pure and uplifting rather than things that are impure or corrupt. Watching bad things can desensitize us to sin and lead us away from God’s will.

The Principle of Avoiding Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This verse reminds us that God provides a way of escape from temptation. We must be mindful of the things we watch and avoid anything that may lead us into sin.

The Principle of Guarding One’s Heart and Mind

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

This verse teaches us to guard our hearts and minds, as they are the source of our thoughts and actions. Watching bad things can fill our hearts and minds with impure thoughts and desires, leading us away from God’s will.

Examples of “Bad” Things People Watch and Their Impact

Here are some examples of bad things people watch and their potential impact on our spiritual well-being:

Pornography

Pornography is a form of sexual immorality that is rampant in our society. It involves the use of sexually explicit images and videos that are intended to arouse the viewer. Watching pornography can desensitize us to the sanctity of sex within marriage and lead us into a cycle of addiction.

Pornography also objectifies and degrades women, which goes against God’s design for human relationships. Jesus teaches us to treat others with love and respect, and watching pornography is a clear violation of this principle.

Violence and Gore

Watching violent or gory movies or TV shows can desensitize us to the value of human life and promote a culture of violence. God values human life and calls us to love and respect others, even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). When we watch violent media, we may become desensitized to the pain and suffering of others, which can lead us away from God’s love and compassion.

Blasphemy and Sacrilege

Watching media that mock or blasphemes God can lead us away from our faith and hinder our relationship with Him. Blasphemy involves disrespecting or ridiculing God, which is a direct violation of the commandment to honor Him (Exodus 20:7). Sacrilege involves treating holy things with disrespect or irreverence, which goes against God’s desire for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Watching media that blasphemes or sacrileges can lead us to doubt our faith and hinder our ability to connect with God. As Christians, we must be careful to avoid anything that dishonors Him.

Negative and Toxic Media

Watching media that promote negative or toxic behaviors, such as gossiping, lying, or complaining, can influence us to adopt those behaviors as well, leading us away from the values of kindness and love that Christ teaches. The Bible teaches us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32). When we watch media that promote negative or toxic behaviors, we may become more critical or judgmental of others, which can harm our relationships and our walk with Christ.

How to Apply Biblical Principles to Media Consumption

As Christians, we must be intentional about the things we watch and consume. Here are some practical ways we can apply biblical principles to our media consumption:

Developing Discernment

We must develop discernment by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and studying His Word. We can also seek counsel from other Christians who have similar values. By developing discernment, we can better understand what is pleasing to God and what may lead us away from His will.

Setting Boundaries and Limits

We must set boundaries and limits for our media consumption. For example, we can limit the amount of time we spend watching TV or browsing social media. We can also avoid watching certain genres of media that may be more likely to contain bad content. By setting boundaries and limits, we can avoid being exposed to media that may lead us into temptation.

Choosing Positive and Uplifting Media

We can choose media that promotes positive values and uplifts our spirit. This can include Christian movies, TV shows, and music that encourage us in our faith. By choosing positive and uplifting media, we can strengthen our relationship with Christ and grow in our faith.

Seeking Accountability and Community Support

We can seek accountability from other Christians and share our struggles with media consumption. This can help us stay on track and avoid falling into temptation. By seeking accountability and community support, we can grow in our faith and be encouraged in our walk with Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as Christians, we must be mindful of the things we watch and consume, as they can have a significant impact on our spiritual well-being. The Bible teaches us to pursue purity and avoid anything that may lead us into temptation. By applying biblical principles to our media consumption, we can honor God and grow in our faith.

To apply these principles to our media consumption, we must develop discernment, set boundaries and limits, choose positive and uplifting media, and seek accountability and community support. These practices will help us avoid bad content and focus on media that promotes positive values and encourages our walk with Christ.

As we navigate this digital age, let us seek God’s guidance and support from our community. By doing so, we can grow in our faith, honor God, and live a life that is pleasing to Him. May God bless us all as we strive to live a holy and righteous life.