A lot of people don’t have any problem watching TV for hours on end. But for Christians, it can be a bit more tricky sometimes.
This is because we might feel guilty about what we are watching or think that the time we spend watching TV should be spent with God instead.
There is nothing really wrong with Christians watching TV. In fact, there are even some good reasons to do so.
But we need to be careful about what we watch and how much time we spend in front of the television.
15 Ways Christians Can watch TV More Safely
1. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep
It is important to get enough sleep so that you can watch television safely.
Too little sleep can lead to decreased alertness and reaction time, which can be dangerous when operating a TV.
Additionally, sleep deprivation can cause eye strain, headaches, and other health problems.
To ensure that you are getting enough sleep, you should establish a regular sleep schedule and limit your exposure to artificial light in the evening.
2. Choose shows that are uplifting
When you are looking for something to watch, try to choose shows that are uplifting and edifying.
There are plenty of great Christian shows out there that can entertain and inspire you.
Watching shows with positive messages will help you to stay focused on what is important in life.
3. Avoid shows that are violent, involve drugs, or suggestive
There is no need to watch shows that are full of violence or sexual innuendo.
These types of shows can be very damaging to your spiritual life.
They can desensitize you to violence and cause you to lust after things that are not good for you.
Instead, choose shows that are wholesome and uplifting.
4. Pray for guidance before you start watching
Before you start watching TV, take a moment to pray and ask God for guidance.
Pray that He would help you to discern what is good and what is not.
Pray that He would give you the wisdom to know how much time is appropriate to spend in front of the television.
And finally, pray that He would bless you with His presence as you watch.
5. Choose shows that represent Christian values
There are many great Christian shows out there that can provide you with entertainment and also help you to grow in your faith.
Look for shows that represent Christian values, such as love, forgiveness, and compassion.
These types of shows can be a great way to spend your time in front of the TV.
6. Be discerning about what you watch
Not all shows are created equal. Some are better than others.
As a Christian, it is important to be discerning about what you watch.
There are some shows that are full of profanity, violence, and sexual scenes.
These types of shows could be very damaging to your spiritual life.
Instead, look for shows that are uplifting and inspiring.
7. Use caution with movies and shows that are rated R or TV-MA
If a movie or show is rated R or TV-MA, it is probably not appropriate for Christians to watch.
These types of movies and shows usually contain graphic violence, nudity, and sexual content.
It is best to avoid these types of movies and shows altogether if you don’t want to view anything that could be offensive.
8. Consider the content of a show before you watch it
Before you watch a show, take a moment to consider the content.
Ask yourself if the show is appropriate for a Christian to watch.
If the show is full of violence, sexual gestures, or other offensive content, it is probably not something that you want to be watching.
9. Don’t watch shows that make you feel uncomfortable
There is no need to force yourself to watch shows that make you feel uncomfortable.
If a show is making you feel uneasy, it is probably not something that you should be watching.
There are plenty of other great shows out there that you can watch instead.
10. Avoid shows that use foul language
Movies with foul language are not appropriate for Christians to watch.
It can be tempting to watch them because everyone else is, but it’s important to remember that we are called to be set apart from the world.
Watching movies with foul language goes against what we believe and it’s not worth it to compromise our beliefs just to watch a movie.
11. Be aware of the time you spend watching television
It’s important to be aware of the amount of time you spend in front of the television.
Many people find themselves wasting hours upon hours watching shows that don’t improve or uplift them in any way.
Television can be a great source of entertainment, but it’s important to limit the amount of time you spend in front of the screen.
12. Make sure your TV is in a common area of your home
Having a designated TV room can offer some privacy and control over what you’re watching, but it can also be a slippery slope into temptation.
If you have to pass by your TV to get to another room, you’re less likely to indulge in sinful shows.
Not having a TV in places like your bedroom will make it less likely for you to watch TV at hours when you should be sleeping or doing other things.
13. Keep the TV off during family meals or mealtimes
Eating meals as a family is important, and it’s a time when you should be talking and connecting with each other, not staring at a screen.
The same goes for mealtimes in general.
If you’re eating by yourself, take the opportunity to focus on your food and your thoughts, rather than letting the TV be background noise.
14. Talk to your children about what they’re watching
Monitoring your child’s TV watching habits is important, but it’s also important to talk to them about what they’re watching.
You can use TV shows as teachable moments to talk about things like values, teamwork, and respect.
It’s also a good opportunity to bond with your child and have some quality time together.
15. Encourage your family to watch shows and movies together
A Family that prays together, stays together.
This also goes for watching TV.
Encourage your family to watch shows and movies together.
Not only is it a great way to bond, but you can also discuss the content afterward and make sure everyone is understanding it in a way that is consistent with your family’s values.
Summary
Christians are called to love their neighbor and to avoid all appearances of evil.
This means that we should be careful about what we watch on TV, even if we’re just watching for entertainment.
While there’s no need to be paranoid, it’s important to remember that the enemy is looking for ways to trip us up and lead us into temptation.
We should be aware of the content of the shows we’re watching.
If there’s anything questionable, we should either change the channel or turn off the TV altogether.
We should also try to limit our TV time.
It’s easy to get caught up in a show and lose track of time, but too much TV can lead to laziness, lack of productivity, and distract us from our relationship and daily walk with God.
We should pray for wisdom in choosing what to watch. God will give us guidance if we ask for it.
So whether it’s Anime or horror movies we can all use some of these tips to ensure that our TV viewing stays safe and Christ-honoring.
