The Entertainment Test

Psalm 101:3-4 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.”

The average believer should be able to look at music, movies, books, sports and more today and see that they do not promote holiness. But what about the “wholesome” alternatives or “Christian” Media or “family friendly” content, moreover what about the classic entertainment of yesteryear? I challenge you to take various forms of entertainment that you enjoy and hold it up to this test? You will be surprised what you find out. Before doing so, take a moment to pray for discernment, wisdom and understanding so that you may turn away from every wicked thing and any disception to the glory of the Father.

Let’s begin with the ten commandments. Subsequent points will build off of these ten areas as we answer the following questions about any and all forms of entertainment.

Commandment #1 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Does it glorify the Father?

Does it show or glorify any other god in a casual or favorable light?

Are the characters based off of gods themselves? This might requiring some digging but I encourage you to do so.

Commandment #2 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…

Does it show or glorify any idols?

Do the characters or those involved make themselves out to be idols?

Are they idolized by others with or without their consent?

Commandment #3 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Is the Lord spoken of with casually or with disrespect and without reverence?

Commandment #4 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

What day is acknowledged as the sabbath day? Is it the original seventh day of the week or is it the altered Rome-made sabbath of Sunday?

Is the Sabbath acknowledged or honored?

If so, is it shown in a good light?

Is the Sabbath altogether ignored?

Commandment #5 Honour thy father and thy mother.

Are parents ignored or minimized?

Are they shown as secondary to the children?

Is there a pattern, an agenda, of removing one or both parents from the story?

Are children disobedient or dishonoring of their parents?

Commandment #6 Thou shalt not kill.

Is killing glorified or emphasized in any way in this show?

Is killing done casually or without regard to human life?

Is it done without remorse?

The Bible says in 1 John 3:15 that “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Is hatred normalized?

Commandment #7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Is lust normalized?

Is adultery normalized?

How are marriages portrayed?

Are those involved exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, including self control?

Commandment #8 Thou shalt not steal.

Pay close attention on this one. Is stealing of any kind regarded as ok? This could be shown comically, or for things large or small.

Is theft justified?

Is it built in to the premise of the show or music?

Is it even part of the nature of the industry this form of entertainment stems from?

Commandment #9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Much like the others, is this normalized or even rewarded?

Is this part of the premise of the media?

Is it built around gossip or baseless remarks?

Does it glorify the notion that all publicity is good publicity?

Commandment #10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Does this piece of media thrive off of creating a lack of contentment in the observer?
Do you find yourself wanting something you didn't want before after viewing it?

Do you find yourself struggling more strongly with something you have been wanting but haven’t received?

Does it appeal to your emotions in a way that makes you discontent, begin to compare, or become envious of others or their lifestyle?

And lastly but not least, does this piece of entertainment encourage or foster this behavior, the thought of this behavior or the enjoyment of watching others engage in this behavior in you. Be honest with yourself because whether or not you are, the Lord knows the truth of the matter.

If while doing this test you said to yourself “well it’s only off by one or two things, it’s not that bad” you have fallen into a deception that many have also fallen prey to.

The Bible says in James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

In Proverbs 2:11-14 it says that even delighting in wickedness (in this case through being entertained by it) is the way of the evil man.

“Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;” - Proverbs 2:11-14

So you can see now how this changes everything. As we begin to look at what we previously found entertaining through the lens of discernment we start to see the seeds of deception and the scheme of the enemy to lure children of God into becoming children of disobedience everywhere. BUT! The good news is that with the fear of the Lord and by his goodness we become set free from “the sin which so easily ensnares us” as it says in Hebrews 12:1. If turning away from the entertainment you’ve known and loved seems difficult for you, spend time in prayer and in the Word to gain a greater understanding of just how serious this issue is. I encourage you to take a look at the study “What you watch matters.” for more biblical truth related to this matter.