T.V.’s Virtual Reality

This was written by a very dear friend of mine, a true Titus 2 woman. May you be as blessed by this as I am.

This is written by a woman who learned some hard lessons, and after a long while was set free, by the Lord Jesus, from the snares of daytime television.  Many women get glued to the TV  - in secret -  when husbands are not at home, and find themselves lacking in productivity and contentment, and most of all - peace.  The Television, I came to realize, was making me fat for starters, as it affected my moods.  This may sound silly, but it is true that we overeat as a result of our moods, which in turn dictate the atmosphere of our family life, and how we relate with our spouse.  And thus a cycle began.  Here is what Jesus showed me as I struggled, and wrestled in prayer, to overcome my sinful patterns that were destroying my life. TV breeds, cultivates, steals, exaggerates, and tells lies!   Today I give thanks & praise to God for delivering me from willful, defiling sin. (Mark 7:20-23)  He has helped me to remove the plank from my own eye, granting me Understanding in this matter,  that I may help others who are suffering in similar patterns.   (Matt. 7: 1-5) TV breeds disappointment TV breeds envy TV breeds unrealistic and vain imagination TV breeds dissatisfaction with our spouse, and our surroundings TV breeds laziness TV breeds ridiculing our husband and mocking men  in general TV cultivates destructive attitudes TV cultivates depression TV cultivates false expectations TV cultivates other people into our bedroom TV cultivates rebellious attitudes TV cultivates tolerance of evil behavior TV steals sexual purity from our minds TV steals motivation to be productive TV steals valuable time TV steals God's rightful request of our time TV exaggerates marital problems to seem insurmountable TV exaggerates marital infidelity and makes it look normal TV exaggerates immodesty making it look normal TV exaggerates beauty, seducing with make-up, sexy hair, and sensual clothing. TV lies to woman, thinking other men eyeing her flatters her husband TV lies to women that they need more and better things, and leisure TV lies to women giving them a false sense of comfort TV lies to women drawing them into living discontented lives. In a nutshell, TV defiles Believers.  ALL this is especially true of daytime soap operas. And yes, even Oprah steals what is rightfully God's territory -- which is biblical reasoning and time. Shows like '24' , 'Alias' , 'Desperate Housewives', “American Idol’, etc. are a rebellion against what we know the Lord would have

of us; to deny our flesh, and live for Him. Shall we test HIM by loving the world? 1Jn 2:15-16  Oh dear sisters, cry to God to show you His will. And persevere!  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5  "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"  Have you ever realized that TV breaks every law of God  repeatedly?  How can we, His people, find pleasure in this? When we begin to view the TV as a minute-by-minute sacrifice of our spiritual health and liveliness, and as what the Apostle John said is practicing sin which leads to hell, we will begin to hate its destructive existence, and look at it as a demonic tool used to destroy.  The first thing our Lord asked of me was to confess my sin to my husband!!  Hard, yes, but Jesus wanted me to expose the darkness, that my husband would pray for me as my spiritual head.  This is a good 1st step to conquer sinful habits, especially when in serious temptation. (Eph.5:8-22) The Lord also asked me to wrap the TV with ribbon and a big bow smack in the middle, right there in my family room, to give it as a sacrificial offering to Him. The wrapping reminded me that I submitted to Him, and thus encouraged me to obey the Lord.  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:2-3.  To be faithful to Him, we must obey the Lord God in reverential fear, understanding He is impartial, and Righteous in all of His judgments. Obedience honors, pleases and glorifies God, and proves our love to Him.  In return He implants a growing assurance of salvation, and we bear the fruit of the Spirit. As I obeyed, I began to see the strengthening power of the Lord helping me conquer other sins, as TV was such a terrible stronghold.  Of course I needed to ask the Lord to remind me time and again of my desire to obey Him, but once victorious, I became one with a real-life testimony to the LORD’s power.  He desires to bless each of us in our obedience to Him.  He loves those that fear Him.    And on a note to married life...being overweight is the most influential aspect of being non-romantic.  We think it’s our hormones (it could be) but more than likely it is hidden areas of the heart. TV in part, holds you there; I know this without any doubt whatsoever, because I had to pray and ask God to make me hate it as much as He does. (A good prayer for any sin.) Satan owns TV programs.  So who do we serve when we give in?  Saying I won’t let the shows "get to me," was such a lie, as if there is any power in rebellion! Dear friend, ask the Lord to forgive you, and repent.  Then strive for the goal of purity! “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!” (emphasis, mine)   © 2005MLS/ No portion of tract may be altered.  Copy in full. Photo credit