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While the TV kept me from being bored to tears, I quickly realized just how much it had influenced me. My reasons for not watching TV when we were first married were: 1) it tempted me to be lazy; 2) there were always better things to do than watch it; 3) TV was filled with bad images and ideas; 4) it was counterproductive to my relationship with Christ. After this time with the TV, though, I came up with another reason for not watching it:TV makes me unsatisfied.
I was watching "reality" TV--shows like "House Hunters," "A Baby Story," and "Jon and Kate Plus 8." These shows depict real people going through real life events. I came to envy these people! I saw how they were living and I thought, "Why can't I live like that?" I never saw anyone on "House Hunters" buy a house that was at or below our price range. They were all higher-end properties. This actually caused me to become anxious about our own financial state! When "A Baby Story" came on, I never saw a father on the show who worked at night. It caused me to worry about my own baby, whose father would be working some weeknights! I built up resentment towards Matt, because I thought he was depriving our baby of something that "every other baby" has. (!) See how crazy my thinking became? When watching "Jon and Kate Plus 8," I witnessed the way this Christian couple talked to one another (they can get pretty mean!), and I would just smile! "Kate" is seen as sassy and controlling, and it's kind of given a postive spin. But God's word has much to say about a meek and quiet spirit and being a submissive wife. I knew these things! Why didn't I turn the channel?
The commercials were worse. I think I spent more money during those few months than I had during any other time in my life. After seeing commercial after commercial for the following products, I either bought them or set out to buy them:
Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner
Kaboom Never Scrub (toilet cleaner)
Lucky Charms cereal
Revlon foundation
Pantene Always Smooth Shampoo/Conditioner
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula for stretch marks
I really just don't see the need for TV in our homes, unless our husbands want them. I know of one man who calls television "The Beast." I wouldn't go that far, but I do believe we need to protect ourselves from it. If after an hour of watching TV, we feel like we need to redecorate every room in the house, then maybe watching TV isn't for us. If we find ourselves buying more and more unnecessary products, then we should probably skip the commercials. If we sit there and allow evil, ungodly images to pop up before our eyes, then chances are, we'll become immune to them. If we find ourselves smiling or laughing about things that are contrary to God's Word, then we're in dangerous territory! And lastly, if we discover that we're neglecting our homes or children, or that we're spending our free time with our husbands staring at a screen, then we really need to do a check up. I know I had to.
TV isn't altogether "evil," of course. However, we need to evaluate how the TV fits into our goals for ourselves and our families. If you want entertainment, see if there are other ways to get it. If you want some "mindless" time (which I think we all need occasionally!), see if a warm bath with candles won't do the trick. If your husband wants a TV to watch at night, then that's fine--I would even advise watching it with him if he wants you to. But if you find that it hinders you during the day, then just don't turn it on.
7 comments:
I had to laugh when I read about the television being called "The Beast." My dad always called it the "idiot box" ans I must confess that I find that to be an apt name--the television has a weird way of stealing our good thinking skills and putting other things in their place (like the example you gave about buying more "stuff"--it was amazing how much less "stuff" we have "needed" since getting ride of the television several years ago!)
There are two interesting books about television, computers, and electronic based entertainment that you might enjoy, Jordin. One is called "The Plug-In Drug" and discusses the myriad issues of television and electronics being used by young children. And the second book is "Amusing Ourselves To Death" which provides a provocative, thought-provoking look into how various modern day amusements have impacted our collective life for both good and bad. Both of these books will leaving you pondering about these issues for a long time to come--in a good way of course.
Jordin, I would agree with you about the television and the impact it has on a person. It is funny how some good marketing skills can get us to buy things we don't need or even really want. I do watch television when I am home only to be as white noise while I am doing other things. I understand all to well the affects of television and how they can either by good or bad for you. By the way I love "Jon and Kate plus 8" because those kids are just adorable and make me laugh. Well I hope you, Matt and baby are doing good. Sorry for the long comment.
Amy,
I've heard of the "idiot box" before. Suiting, isn't it? :) Thanks for those book suggestions. I'll definitely look into them--ME watching the TV is one thing, *children* sitting in front of it is a whole different ballgame!
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Deborah,
Never apologize for a long comment! I love those kind! :)
Jon and Kate do have precious children, don't they? I love the one with the glasses! :)
Yes, TV is a big part of most people's lives. Of course, it is just a medium and, as you say, neither good nor bad in itself, it's down to how you use it. Unfortunately most of us just tune in to what everyone else seems to watch without thinking about where this might be leading us. I am starting to get more discerning about what I watch and asking the question "am I better or worse off for watching this"?
Excellent Jordin!
I remember when I first started watching 'Jon and Kate Plus 8' and how offensive I found her. My husband can't stand when I have the show on because she gets on his nerves. But what I've found interesting is now I'm used to it and don't find her as offensive and I think it's because I've become desensitized to how she treats her husband (and how he treats her).
One thing I do that has helped is I do not turn on the TV during the day and now that I'm used to not having it on I find I enjoy the quiet.
One thing I'm tired of with HGTV is how it seems they promote only 1 style of decorating--modern. And it can make you discontent with your home if you're not careful.
Thank you for being so honest with us Jordin, it blessed me. (o:
Many Blessings,
Michele
I found a link for your 2 posts on this subject via CHERISH THE HOME.
We've been married 28 years and we've never had cable and don't ever plan on getting it for most of the same reasons that you have listed.
Fortunately for my husband and 1 son still at home, they don't need cable to be able to watch NHL hockey games :o)
Like anything else, TV isn't bad in itself ~ it's how we use it or allow it to use us :o(
The radio, computer, internet, blogs, music, books and magazines and other things can affect us in a similar way IF we allow them to.
As I read at CHERISH THE HOME a short while ago, the Lord should have the preeminence in our lives and all other things will fall into place under His guidance.
I hope you are doing well now and able to get around your house once again, doing what you love to do!
Blessings,
Dallas
PS: I was more long-winded than I had intended to be ~ sorry :o(
Buffy,
"...am I better or worse off for watching this?" Good thought! I found that with most TV shows, I was worse off for watching them. However, there were a few shows, like the Kids by the Dozen series on TLC (with the Jeubs & Duggars, I think) that I felt left me better off for watching them. Those kinds of shows left me encouraged.
~*~
Michele,
I'm so glad you enjoyed this article! Thanks for linking to it!
I became totally desensitized to Jon & Kate's attitudes. I would even laugh at them sometimes. My "red flag" though, was when Kate was being really ugly to Jon--basically screaming at him--and I looked at Matt and said, "Isn't she cute?" (!) Why in the world did I think that was *cute*?! I have no idea, but maybe it's because I think she really is a cute woman, and her attitude, in my mind, was just an extension of that--so it didn't seem so bad. Anyway, I think I could probably watch those kinds of shows if I didn't get sucked into them, but I know I personally can't!
I agree with you about HGTV, too. It made me very discontent with the style of my home, so when we moved, I convinced Matt to let me spend money to "redecorate". Whew! Talk about spending A LOT of unnecessary dollars! But when all you see are perfectly staged homes all day, you tend to want the same thing for yourself. :)
~*~
Dallas,
Thanks for coming over! I'm glad you came! :)
I liked this:
"Like anything else, TV isn't bad in itself ~ it's how we use it or allow it to use us :o(
The radio, computer, internet, blogs, music, books and magazines and other things can affect us in a similar way IF we allow them to."
Exactly! Several months ago, I was a blogging addict! ;) I just really loved it, but found that it really took up too much time. I was able to streamline my time on the computer, but I don't know if I could personally do that for the TV, like Michele said she could. The TV just seems to grip me unlike anything else, so it's better for me to stay away from it!
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