by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Psalm 101:3
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me.

We once retained a research firm to ask our FamilyLife Conference guests what societal problem posed the greatest threat to their families. Was it alcohol and drug addiction? Materialism? Pornography? The breakup of families?

Nearly 36 percent answered: television.

I shouldn't have been surprised. After all, surveys show that the average American adult watches TV a whopping 30 hours a week. And preschoolers are watching the "plug-in drug" an average of 27 hours per week. I guess that's what we should expect from a society that boasts of more homes with TVs (98 percent) than those with indoor toilets (97 percent).

I believe Christian families rightly consider TV to be a threat to the family for three primary reasons.

First, TV replaces real relationships. Communication ceases when the TV is turned on. Who can compete with such a vast menu of images, $500,000 commercials and programs that parade slinky, sexy bodies in front of us? I agree with the great theologian Erma Bombeck, who said that if a woman has a husband who watches three consecutive TV football games on a given Saturday, she should have him declared legally dead and have his estate probated!

Second, TV often undermines the commitments and moral integrity that bind a family together. "Leave It to Beaver" has been replaced with adultery, premarital sex and perverted behavior.

Third, TV robs families of both quality and quantity time. After attending a FamilyLife Marriage Conference, one dad went home, unplugged the TV and lugged it to the garage. In its place he hung a picture of the family. Their five-year-old son sat down on the floor, stared at the portrait, looked up at his dad and asked, "Does this mean we're going to become a family now?"

Prayer:

Ask God for discernment. Then make some choices that reflect your Christian beliefs.

Discuss: How many hours of television (or movies on video) do you think you watch each week? Your spouse? Your children? Keep track of your viewing habits for seven days, then evaluate television's grip on you and your most important relationships.

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