The Danger of Entertainment

I read an article lately by Professor Keith Mathison that identified the growing danger of entertainment in our culture. The words of the Nirvana 1991 hit song “Smells like Teen Spirit” goes “Here we are now! Entertain us!” have become an anthem for an entire generation and the motto of an entire culture. What Mathison meant is that we live in the midst of a culture that demands constant entertainment, constant diversion. It is the world in which we live. Given this reality, what are the dangers that we must be aware of to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, being in the world but not of it.

 At the same time, we must be careful to avoid legalistic blanket condemnations. There is no chapter and verse in the Bible telling us whether we are permitted as Christians to play or lists the dangers of specific forms of entertainment we encounter on a daily basis. When considering the dangers of entertainment, therefore, we must use wisdom. This means that we must understand some basis biblical principles and learn how to apply them to apply them to issues not specifically addressed in holy Scripture. There are numerous passages of Scripture that provide us with some broad principles that we can consider a we thing=k about the potential dangers associated with entertainment. Love God and love our neighbor must take priority over love of entertainment. If a form of entertainment is defined as sin by Scripture, obviously, we cannot engage in it to the glory of God. To engage in such sins as a form of entertainment displays a lack of love for both God and other people.

Professor Mathison states that, in general, it is good to know is you are traveling through an area where danger exists. Let us look at four specific dangers associated with entertainment. (1) The danger of idolatry. Our chief end and goal is to glorify God. When any form of entertainment becomes the chief end in our life, it becomes an idol (anything that you place in front of God and comes between your face and His). Our culture idolizes entertainers. We idolize sports teams and players. We idolize our favorite movie stars and musicians. Idolizing our favorite form of entertainment, whatever it might be, is a serious danger against which we must guard.

James 4:4 “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

(2) The danger of worldliness. Much of what is produced in order to entertains us produced by people with worldviews that are antithetical to Christianity. Furthermore, those who produce it want to instill their godless values. Much of what is produced is clearly depraved. Every form of God-hating thought and behavior, from blasphemy to sexual perversion, is gloried by our secular entertainment industry. Ironically, we have not only allowed the entertainment industry to take our thoughts captive, we have paid them to do it. King David wrote in Psalm 101:2-3, “I will walk in integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” The Apostle Paul states in Philippians 4:8, “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Are the things we set before our eyes and ears true and pure in the eyes of God and worthy of praise? Or are they worthless?

Let continue this article’s message on the dangers of entertainment on the next post.

In Christ, Brian