When TV becomes an idol

TV isn’t really that bad – but we are. Anything we love – want – treasure – enjoy – desire more than God is an idol. Lutheran freedom aside – keep yourselves from idols.

Here are some signs that TV is becoming an idol in your life.

• If you spend more time watching TV than reading your Bible – Then your TV might be an idol.
• If you are more concerned about a lost remote than a lost neighbor – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you spend more time flipping channels than you spend praying – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you spend more time with your TV than you do with your kids – Then your TV might be an idol.
• If you spend more time “vegging out” with your TV than you do serving your wife – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you can’t live more than 5 days without your TV – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you consider Christians who abstain from TV as “weird” or “out of touch” – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you can give a complete history of American Idol but aren’t sure what the second commandment means for believers – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If the only time your family assembles in one room is to watch “Deal or No Deal” – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If your monthly contribution to the cable company exceeds your monthly giving at church – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If your kids know all the Disney characters but none of the patriarchs – Then your TV might be an idol.
  
• If you consider TiVo evidence of God’s Prevenient Grace – Then your TV might be an idol.

Full Disclosure: We turned off our Satellite about 6 weeks ago. In Hanover that means only one fuzzy channel. It has been a positive experience. But we are open to bringing it back next fall, in moderation. We still watch videos and play GameCube. Add blogging to that and technology continues to be a problem in our family.

Some things we have done in our extra time without the TV: talked more, played more, prayed more, read more, cleaned more, went to bed on time, walked around the block, painting around the house, smiled at my 4 month old son, played Legos more with my 5 year old son, played “puppy” with my three year old daughter.

Some things we have missed: useless news stories, the national weather outlook, soul numbing sit-coms, dehumanizing crime shows, political ad season, history channel.

HT: Motopolitico: Ideas on the problems of Television

HT: Calvinist Turkey Hunter: IS TV REALLY THAT BAD?

Will The Next Generation Treasure Christ? is a dialog on reforming children’s ministry and equipping parents - for the glory of Christ and the joy of our children.