The proliferation of television sets in America has become widespread. Now one could pass by even the poorest of welfare recipients any night of the week, and see the flickering of the TV through the window.

He would be undoubtedly watching his favorite filth in living color in the same way as the wealthy. One may do without a telephone or an automobile, but to be without a television would be unthinkable! Many homes have several sets to have more convenient access to their favorite sin. How can it be called a favorite or pet sin?

The average television watcher now sits entranced for 7.2 hours per day enjoying his lust, violence. or perversion of all that is right and decent.

If one's favorite activity would be measured by what he does voluntarily. by choice, and by length of time involved; watching television is the clear winner.

What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?

Bible Christians are commanded by Scripture to not love the world, or the things in the world (I John 2:15), to be uncontaminated by the world around us (ll Peter3:14),to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15). to abstain from fleshly lusts (I Peter 2:11), to abstain from even the appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22). Believers are to jealously guard their thought life to ensure it is approved of God (Philippians 4:8), bringing captive every thought into obedience to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).

Television also has distinctives. and they are vigorously contrary to the above. Producers and sponsors attempt to out-do competitors shows with profanity, blasphemy, obscenity, violence, loose, low-life living, nudity, perversion and so on. This should not be surprising. As a group, the moguls of the television industry are among the most unbelieving, unchurched, blasphemous, anti-God infidels of professional groups.

We know that their life-style and ideas will creep into and become a part of their TV productions. Our Savior has said whatever is in our heart will come out in our life-style (Matthew 7:15-20) These actors, producers, directors and sponsors are regularly spewing out filthy productions that are wholly consistent with their evil hearts. To put it another way, we will not get clean, decent, moral, character-building television programming from bad people.

Christians do not indulge in Hollywood cesspool movies, rock music, drug parties, homosexuality, mixed swimming, nude shows, prostitution, etc. They shun these wicked pleasures of the world, nor would they allow their children to participate in this wickedness.

Yet in the privacy of Christian homes all of the above evil practices are on TV in full color, extolled; held up as proper and acceptable behavior and encouraged. Bible Christianity on the other hand is mocked, scorned and made an object of derision. Even the so-called good shows attack Bible values.

The news programming has a palpable leftist, liberal slant to the point one could wonder if the devil sometimes prepares the newscasts. The time-wasting sports keep countless Christians out of church on God's Holy Seventh Day Sabbath, and many others from Bible reading, family altar and prayer. One may look in vain to discover redeeming features of this medium of mass media that has become so wicked that it is so thoroughly enjoyed by the world and now has become the pet sin of Christians

Honestly now, after having watched your favorite TV show. did you rise, stretch and remark, "this has made me a better Christian", or "I am closer to God after having watched that."

Have you noticed your children developing more of an interest in the Bible; witnessing and standing alone for Christ after the steady diet of television you have permitted them to watch? What would Christ say if He were to watch TV over your shoulder as you enjoy your favorite broadcasts?

What is your son thinking as he watches naked women? What are you thinking? What Bible values and moral character are being taught and reinforced in your family as you watch? Has it stimulated you to go out and be a witness for the Lord? Honest answers to these questions ought to convince you of the utter failure on your part of controlling and censoring your pet sin!

You are introducing confusion into the hearts and minds of your children by having TV in your home. TV does not agree with the authority and truth to which a child ought to be exposed in a Bible-believing home.

Every teaching model, (TV characters are strong, polished and compelling models) your child has, ought to be in basic moral agreement on values. To have the home, school and church proclaiming one set of values to the child while your TV set vigorously and effectively teaches another is to cause confusion of the first order.

This is not only unwise, it is foolhardy. Ask yourself, do your children emulate and venerate the stars on TV, or their Pastor and Sabbath School Teacher? Are they accepting and learning the barnyard morality of TV or the morality of Scripture?

Are they praising a basketball or football sports hero who behaves crudely, or are they avidly sharing with others the details of Christ's Life in the Gospels about whom they have just read? Who is winning the battle for your child's heart? Why should you even allow this battle for their soul and confusion in their minds by using a TV set?

Remember this, my friend, your controversy is not with me, it is with a Holy God. A thrice-Holy God still calls sin, SIN! While you (through your pet sin of TV), are saying in effect a little bit of sin is OK.

We expect the unbelieving world to sit enthralled at the fleshpots of the TV sewer, but for Christians it is especially wicked and evil. It is not helping you to grow in grace and if you are honest, you will admit it.

I pray some Christians who read this will be willing to give up their pet sin . What will you do?

By Ronald E. Willams, Dlrector
Hephzibah House
508 School St., Winona Lake, IN 46590