The saying is, if you say it long enough and loud enough, it becomes true. This applies to anything and everything from commercials, to doctrine, to politics, and to the media. This is especially true as we face the election on Tuesday. So many lies and distortions have been told in commercials. Both political parties have done a terrible job choosing candidates for us to consider. How will we sort it all out and know who really to vote for?
Suzanne Somers appeared on the Match Game 77 Show, and she said their cast was not allowed to use the word toilet. There was a time when a brassiere was not to be worn on television. In fact, cursing had been traditionally viewed as unacceptable. Yet recently a judge ruled that a child may curse in class as a form of his First Amendment right of speech. Already we have degenerated greatly in the quality of our society.
How far will the Christian allow this process to go on? Parents need to critique cartoon shows that their young children watch for fear one of the characters may provide a poor example to the child.
The government declared cigarette commercials could not be shown on TV any longer not because they are immoral or unspiritual but because they were proven beyond a shadow of doubt to be unhealthy. A hero advertising supposed good qualities of smoking could escalate the number of people who decide to smoke.
This is not to say that Christians should censor other people. It does say that Christians should take a stand for what is right according to the Bible. In the Old Testament, Joshua said, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. In the New Testament believers were admonished to come out from among them, meaning not to align oneself with the ways of the world.
It is so easy to accept on television or in print what repeatedly comes into one’s view and conclude that there really is nothing so bad as that, whatever that is. Are the commercials really telling the truth about their products or services? Who would verify truthfulness for themselves without first being cautious? When does morality come into play?
Who would sit at his desk during work hours and decide that he wants to go home and have his teenage son see pictures that were once considered lewd? Do we really want so much of the world to come into our lives and the lives of our family for the sake of entertainment? Do we really want to allow ourselves to be desensitized by all that is presented around us over and over?
Imagine Jesus was in your home, and you told him about your experiences of the day, what you plan to read, what you are told is good, and what you intend to watch that evening. Would he join in with you? Think twice about what you hear and see. There was a little child’s song that says be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little feet where you go, for the Lord is watching up above….
Beware of desensitization! Making wise decisions for the consequences could have long-reaching effects. Be healthy in mind and spirit.
