Have you ever watched a certain television show and asked, “If I’m a Christian, should I be watching this?” If so, you are not alone as many of your brothers and sisters in Christ have asked the same question. This all begs the question:
How do we determine if a television show, movie, or another form of entertainment is ok for us to watch?
While there are certain biblical principles we can apply to determine whether a television show or movie is ok to watch, the Bible doesn’t record a prophecy that gives a definitive list of acceptable television shows or movies for 2024. This is a grey area of scripture where we have to be led by a combination of the general principles from the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and our conscience in order to make godly decisions.
One of the passages that has helped me over the years is 1 Corinthians 10:31:
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
We are to let everything we do glorify God. The next time you are sitting down to watch a questionable show, ask yourself, does this glorify God? Think about what the Bible would say about the show and its content. Then ask yourself, how would I feel if Jesus was sitting here right next to me while I watch this? If you feel peace, it’s probably an ok show to watch. If you don’t feel peace, you shouldn’t watch it because your conscience is condemning you. Romans 14:22-23 verifies this:
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
When we watch a television show and feel peace about it, it is a sign we are in faith and following the will of God. When we don’t feel peace about it and persist to watch it, our conscience will condemn us so we are better to not watch it. Some of you may be thinking, is it really that simple? Does God trust me to the clear boundaries of scripture and the Holy Spirit speaking to my conscience to tell me what television shows are ok to watch? Yes. It really is that simple!
The one caveat I will add is we do need to use some extra consideration around other people. For example, some Christians think it’s a sin to watch a R rated movie. While I generally think its a good idea to not watch rated R movies, what about a movie like “Saving Private Ryan?” The movie was about the D-Day invasion in World War II and had a lot of violence and some foul language. These were the reasons for the R rating. Given the context, it is a movie many Christians thought was ok to watch because violence and foul language are a part of war.
A Christian might want to reconsider watching a movie like this around a weaker brother or sister, however, if that person thinks watching anything R rated is sin. While the Bible doesn’t say watching an R rated movie is sin, a person who has a weak conscience will condemn themselves and others about watching R rated movies. This whole situation could create confusion, strife, and may cause the weaker believer to stumble. We should never use our freedom to cause someone to stumble. Paul deals with this concept in Romans 14:20-21:
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Paul said it is good for us to not do anything that would trip up a weaker brother or sister in the faith. We should never use our liberty to harm others. Aside from that one caveat, however, unless the Bible expressively forbids it, God trusts you to the Holy Spirit and your conscience as you seek to glorify God in all you do!
I hope this article has provided insight and helped you! If you’d like to learn more, check out this message I recently taught at Grace Life Church.
