We consume a lot of media, whether it’s through TV, laptops, tablets, or phones. With so much media consumption that is so very easy to consume, we need to exercise an incredible amount of discretion and discernment. Yet it seems that the more we consume media, the more desensitized we become to the type of media we consume. This means that we need to spend extra energy “watching what we watch.” I have found the following input and guidelines most helpful in evaluating and using discernment in my media consumption:
When deciding on the appropriateness of a particular program or film, we often make a judgment based on its rating. However, simply knowing what it’s rated does not mean we’ve applied thorough biblical discernment. While offering some help, the ratings system doesn’t use biblical criteria to evaluate the content of films. And no ratings system can answer the questions regarding the stewardship of our time or the motive of our heart in viewing. We need more than a rating if we’re to honor God through our viewing. We need an evaluation process that takes into account our time and our motive, as well as offering a biblical benchmark for measuring content.
The following application questions can help in discerning the benefit of watching a particular movie or program. The questions have been expanded in some places to cover our use of the internet.
Time Questions
Am I skipping or delaying something important in order to watch this now?
What are my other social/entertainment options besides watching television or going out to see a movie?
How much time have I already spent consuming media today? Surfing the internet? Social media? Youtube?
In the last week, how much time have I spent on the spiritual disciplines, building relationships, attending to my family, serving others, exercising, going outside compared to time spent consuming media?
After investing the time to view this, will I look back on it and honestly be able to say that it was time well spent?
Heart Questions
Why do I want to watch this program or film? What do I find entertaining about it?
Am I seeking to escape from something I should be facing by watching this? Am I seeking comfort and relief that can only be found in God?
What sinful temptations might this program or film present me with?
Do I secretly want to view something in this that’s not honoring to the Lord? Am I deceiving myself by saying “I’ll fast-forward through that part” or “I’ll close my eyes” or “It’s not that bad, I can handle it”?
Content Questions
What worldview or philosophy of life does this program or film present? How do these views relate to God’s views?
What does this program or film glamorize? What is valued or considered important? How does that line up with the values of Scripture?
Is sin shown as having negative consequences? Or is sin glorified and rewarded? Is sin presented in an appealing and seductive way?
Is there any sexual content in this film that will expose me to things I ought not to see and hear for the sake of my purity?
Can I tangible think of any benefit that I will gain from viewing this material?
By asking these sorts of questions, we may find that although a certain program is acceptable, spending the time to watch it may not be beneficial. Think about Paul’s counsel to the Corinthians: “‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful.’ ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up” (1 Cor. 10:23). One author offers the following application of this verse:
What if the standard we used to test all our media consumption was not simply what is permissible but what is beneficial?
