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Is Entertainment Bad For Christians? (The Answer May Shock You)

"That song is of the devil!" "You shouldn't watch that movie, aren't you a Christian?" "Playing video games is not godly" These are examples of things I have heard as a Christian. But let me preface my blog post with this... YES... You should monitor and keep guard over what enters your eyes and ears. You and I should keep watch over what we consume as far as music, movies, and other mediums of entertainment. But, with that said.... I don't think that good art like movies and music is off limits for Christians. Don't mistake me saying that every movie is for Christians. It is not. But you shouldn't have to worry about finding a "PG" movie to watch. The truth is that we are in this world, but not of it. We are to uphold our Christian values as much as humanly possible. And in all honesty, most of us know our individual tolerance. There is not a special place of fire for Christians who watch "R" movies. Let me take you to the scriptures. Let's look at Genesis 2: 15-17 (AMP)
So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely (unconditionally) eat [the fruit] from every tree of the garden; 17but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly die [because of your disobedience].”
The point I want you to see is that God allows us to eat from every tree..well...except that one... In my humble opinion...a fruit of a tree could be a great song, a trip to the beach, watching comedy improv, enjoying ballet, watching a wrestling match, enjoying a basketball game live, cooking a meal in Italy, skiing the French Alps, etc... I hope you get the picture. The point is that God gives us more freedom than "rules to follow." Yes, you can have a lot of fun, have a full life, AND be holy and saved AT THE SAME TIME! Even the scriptures tell us to enjoy life and have fun. Let's look at Ecclesiastes 9: 7
7Go your way, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God]; for God has already approved and accepted your works.
Here is another passsage found in Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20
18Behold, here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] reward. 19Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him]. 20For he will not often consider the [troubled] days of his life, because God keeps him occupied and focused on the joy of his heart [and the tranquility of God indwells him].
So, God wants us to enjoy our brief time in this world. It goes without saying that our entertainment is not a license for us to sin in any way. Nor is entertainment ever to be a replacement for Bible study, prayer, or seeking God. BUT...You can enjoy entertainment and do so with God's blessing.
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