“…and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27b. The world loves television. In His word, God tells us to refrain from becoming defiled (unspotted) by the world. We have become an idolatrous generation creating our very own god which we cherish. People are predisposed to follow their god no matter what kind of idol that god turns out to be. The god of this world promotes his agenda through the medium of television. He and his lackeys pump mankind with deceptions that in turn men begin to believe; thus when presented with the truth of the Word of the One true God, that truth is regarded as fantasy or myth. Many today, because of the adverse influence of television, look at God’s Word similar to the way they would look at a children’s book of fairytales.

The world is upside down. Through the systematic infiltration of programmed television into our homes, we’re being taught that every form of wickedness is now acceptable in our new and enlightened society. On the forefront of wickedness is worldwide acceptance of abortions – murdering the innocent unwanted. Next is the newly created belief that the act of homosexuality is natural – even God ordained. My brethren, this should not be so

Satan knows full well that to entangle us in his deceit he mustn’t simply offer sleaze as far as television programming goes, but that to influence us to a point of addiction he must also incorporate stories that touch the heart strings of humanity These plus breaking news stories of world events are all intentional to keep us glued to our chair as we stare at that inanimate object in the corner of the room, many times to the exclusion of all else.

On the surface television seems innocuous. But do you sense that the inception of television was a well thought out plan? If you answered yes then your senses are working fine because it was a very well thought out plan. The problem is it’s a satanic plan created to entice us while polluting our minds. It entraps us and brings us into submission to the god of this world – to fulfill his agenda. Humanity has become so engrossed with programmed television that Satan now has them for all seasons. Today most people are so ensnared in their relationship with their television that that piece of furniture has become their god – satanic as it is.

People today want more entertainment than ever before. Television has been designated to be the force that fulfills that desire, and they don’t even need to leave their living rooms. I’ve spoken with many people who agree with me that programmed television is a perversion and that we should not be watching it – especially those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. Yet these same folks continue to watch their desired programs – they are addicted. A line from the movie “Fireproof” would fit quite well here, “Watch out for parasites.”

A while back there was a concept promoted with very little fanfare, or acceptance for that matter, and that was, “If you don’t like what you’re watching turn the channel”. Well that didn’t work because Satan is fully involved and he put the trash on every channel. Next a new promotion with basically the same concept was, “Just turn it off if you don’t like it”. That too was short lived because people were already so completely addicted to programmed television that they couldn’t just turn it off. Finally there was cable and people could order the programming they wanted, but it was bundled with offensive programming so they had to pay for the bad to get the good (remember we’re talking about a media outlet that Satan has designed to fit his parameters). Most would call this entrapment.

In 1995 when I became a Christian I was addicted to television. But it gradually occurred to me that I was watching a plethora of filth. Not only that, but as I began to realize and embrace my role as the spiritual leader of my family, I also became fully aware of the satanic influence I was allowing my wife and our daughter to be filled with. On Sunday morning we would head off to Church to worship with likeminded believers, but all week long our minds had been filled with the refuse supplied by the god of this world instead of the word of God. In the year 2000 (yes it took five years) my wife and I made the decision to never again bring programmed television into our home. Our youngest daughter was 10 years old and the things we were watching on television were so very offensive that we just couldn’t allow our daughter to be satanically influenced.

When programmed television was eliminated in the Graham home, Bible study became our focus. What an eye opener that has been for us. Now, some twelve years later, I’m able to share my God given understanding of the Bible with millions of people around the world. I’ve honored God with my persistence in studying His word while eliminating that satanic influence in my family’s life. Satan hates me because I follow Jesus Christ, but he despises me because I’ve turned my back on his influence. Yes, we still own a television, a video player, and a DVD player and we will occasionally watch a movie. But we are not inundated with the filth that the god of this world has designated for all homes to be saturated with. We refuse him and his invasion into our lives. There is nothing godly about programmed television.

Most people, including Christians, can easily give the score of the latest professional sports matchup but have no idea who Levi is in the Bible. Can we not see that this is intentional? Satan does not want us to read our Bibles, let alone actually study them. Therefore he’s given us an alternative, which is television – a venue that is not only distracting but most people will derive much more pleasure from television than from studying their Bibles. Satan has been very successful at distracting people and leading them away from God. Certainly Christians should see this evil. Sadly many don’t, and won’t. So let me ask you, my friend, what does the Bible say about being led astray? “I don’t know, I’ve been watching television”. That’s a truthful answer, but it’s a sad commentary on Bible study.

“…and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15. How many Christians do you know who can give an answer for the hope that lies within them? For that matter, how many Christians do you know, personally, who are able to give a sufficient answer to a nonbeliever’s inquiry concerning the validity of the Bible? “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. I wonder how many Christians today understand what it means to preach the word, or how many are always ready with all longsuffering to reprove, rebuke, and exhort using correct doctrine. My guess is not many .

So, what do we do about gleaning information concerning current events without the television blaring in the corner of the room? There are alternatives. Some are not much better than television. Believe me, the god of this world has his hands in every form of media. But there are still newspapers with world reports, magazines, books, and radio. Most people have computers and can visit many websites that offer a huge amount of breaking news and other content without being infected with Satan’s shenanigans. But let me just add, if you seek the filth you will find it. Satan guarantees it.