Entertainment is all about fun and relaxation, but how safe is this activity for Christians? I compared the present Christian entertainment to the scriptural standard and I noticed some interesting outcomes.
It’s unfortunate that the Christendom is embracing all forms of entertainment established by the unbelievers. The liberty we enjoy in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ does not give us the freedom to accept whatever form of worldly entertainment.
The Bible warned us to scrutinize our actions. Romans chapter 12 verse 1 and 2 says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Forms of Entertainment
What is the position of Christians in the entertainments mentioned above? Is entertainment biblical? Well, the word ‘entertainment’ cannot be found in the Bible. And that is the reason for proper scrutiny of any entertainment you intend to do, using the word of God as your yardstick.
The Bible says: “…brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”
Church and Entertainment
I noticed that some preachers focus more on the emotions of the congregation than God’s word. They make jokes on the pulpit (without considering the biblical warning) to ginger their congregation. It’s not a sin to laugh, but, it calls for concern when the origin of the laughter is through jesting or foolish talks.
Ephesians chapter 5 verse 1 to 4 says: “… Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children… But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;… neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Comedy is a good form of entertainment to the unbelievers, but, it is a kind of fun that adversely affects the spiritual growth of Christians. This is the cause of lukewarm in our midst.
I am not judging anyone, but raising a serious concern for us to check and balance our state of fun.
Revelation chapter 3 verse 15 and 16 says: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Be careful and don’t involve yourself in entertainment related to jokes or comedy because it is rooted in lies and deceits.
Music Entertainment
Music is a good act that no Christian can afford to miss. I have the privilege to tell you that music plays a vital role in heaven! Worship songs filled with praises to God are the best entertainment for you.
It is unfortunate that the styles of musical entertainment of the unbelievers were adopted by most musicians in the Christendom. We cannot be of equal yoke with unbelievers. There should be a clear separation in the way we do things.
In our generation, worldly musicians invite gospel musicians to their stage. Did you refer to this as love? Listen to Jesus’ expression to His true followers in John Chapter 15 verse 19: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
For instance, the unique style of Christian music tunes and lyrics till late 1970’s were outstanding. If you listen to Christian music in the 19th century, you will agree with me that it has good quality than what we hear in this millennium.
Most of the Christian youths believed the school of thought that says; ‘there is no specific style of music or dancing for Christians. Thus, everyone can sing and dance anyhow’. Hmm! Devil’s deceit!
When I was in the world, being a good fan of Dion, but when I gave my life to Christ I disowned myself from listening to worldly music. I came across a ‘Christian disk’ which I thought would help my spiritual growth.
When I slot it into the disk player, the instrumentation was that of Dion’s bestselling and only the lyrics was different. The Christian musician disappointed me, because his lyrics never stick to my brain. But it only opened my memory to mime the Dion’s music. I removed the ‘Christian disk’ before it puts me into a state of apostasy.
I want all Christian musicians using worldly style of music (such as rock, rap, etc.) to know that you can’t genuinely win souls to Christ using such medium. You have to put a round peg in a round hole. Jesus says in Mark 2 verse 22: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
Music as a form of entertainment must lift up your soul and spirit to the presence of the Lord. Good music must not exalt the wealth, women, carnal love, and other basics of this world.
Movie Entertainment
The wide acceptability of Hollywood, Bollywood, and others might not allow you to believe me but ‘movie entertainment is not for the Christians’.
The WordWeb dictionary defines movie as: “A form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion (deception) of continuous movement”.
Is Christianity a boring life if I don’t watch all the ‘woody’ films on earth? No!
You can entertain people during evangelism by:
1. Narrating true life stories. Jesus narrated true life story of Lazarus and the rich man to preach to the people – Luke 16 : 20-25
2. Quoting proverbs and parables. These are strong tools of evangelism used by the Lord Jesus – Matthew 13:18-23
3. Displaying true life documentary about people’s testimonies.
Whatever medium of entertainment you intend to use for the Gospel, deceit must not be used as a tool of evangelism. Devil is the father of all liars. Jesus exposed the Pharisees who were using deception to conduct the temple.
John chapter 8 verses 44 say: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The worldly people are expected to learn new things from the Christendom, but the reverse is the case. The world started film shows and the church embraced it without considering the risk.
Whenever you gather people to do drama or watch film, then you are using a deceitful medium to convey a righteous message. Why?
- The characters in every movie do not bear their true names – deceit!
- Every speech is recorded in heaven, because God does not joke.
- For instance; a man addressed another man’s woman as his wife in the film/drama – deceit!
- At the end, the film writer writes on the screen that all you had watch is a fiction – deceit!!
The Christians into “drama ministry” proved their actions by making reference to the demonstrations of the great prophets. Then I responded quickly that the demonstrations were real life incidence instructed by God. It wasn’t a drama written by anyone, but a true documentary.
Please read through the passage below and send a comment to me if it seems to be a drama: “… the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners, and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” (Isaiah 20:2-4)
Movie entertainment was not the idea of God, but Devil invented it to spread the spirit of lies. Satan is the father of lies. Some Evangelists thought (false) film-show was a good medium to win souls to Christ. Such souls may not survive the storms of life because their foundation was laid on deceit.
Some years ago I was an artist, play writer and drama coordinator in various churches. But when God opened my eyes to see the deceits in acting drama/film show, I stopped immediately. I discovered that using deceptive tools for the ministry of God is witchcraft.
Thus, the safest entertainment for you is to enjoy your resting day (Sabbath) in the presence of the Lord with godly gospel music. Entertain the poor with food and water, and your fun will be so fantastic!
