Q: There are those days when watching TV (especially news)
produce unpleasant feelings. Are we told in the Bible to avoid news or anything
if it harms our conscious state, hence can no longer be productive afterwards?
Are we told to go head to head and tackle the truth (news) as it is, even if
our inner selves feel restless and not at ease having to deal with all of it?
A: Thank you for your question. The main thing I would
suggest you do is shut off the television or, at the very least, stop watching
the programs that are bothering you. You cannot be distressed by what these
programs show if you don’t watch them. With that being said, I share your
concern about watching television, the news specifically, and the unpleasant
feelings that it can produce within all of us. One can hardly turn on a news
programs, or read the newspaper, without being bombarded with the destructive
examples of the sinful world we live in. The front page of my local news is
evidence of your concern. The main story
is titled, “System fails young victims.” This is a story about children who
have died while in the child welfare system. Then there is the story about a
“Teen killed after jumping out of vehicle.” Just above that story is one titled,
“Syria unrest.” This is about the “battles between security and opposition
forces” in Damascus. The television news usually starts out with much of the
same kind of focus. As the saying goes, “if it bleeds it leads,” which is in
reference to the obsession news programs have with negative and violent
stories. Unfortunately, they are only presenting what people apparently want to
see. We humans seem to have a fascination with the problems of others. Perhaps,
it is a subtle recognition of our own frail condition and fear that next time
we could be the lead story.
The Bible does not directly deal with watching television
for obvious reasons. The television was not invented until the 20th
Century. This was hundreds of years after the last book of the Bible was
written. However, scripture does talk about dealing with unpleasant things in
the world, regardless of whether or not they originate on the television.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If
you are watching television programs that produce unpleasant feelings, then
watch programs that will produce pleasant feelings. The Bible also says in Proverbs 23:7, “For as
he thinks within himself, so he is.” Therefore, whatever you watch, affects
what you are thinking and whatever you are thinking will affect how you are
feeling. If you watch unpleasant news programs, you will have unpleasant
feelings. Conversely, watching pleasant programs, news or otherwise, will
result in you having pleasant feelings. Our emotions always follow our
thoughts. You feel something because you think something. If you stop watching
unpleasant news you will see a dramatic improvement in your demeanor and
outlook. This will lead to you being more productive in your activities.
The Bible does not give us any direction as far as tackling
the news. As Christians we are not here to deal with the news. Although, for
practical purposes it is wise to have a grasp of what is going on in the world
so you can be aware of what may affect your life and the lives of those you
love, regardless of whether it is unpleasant or not. The truth we are to tackle
is not the news, but the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 14:6,
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.” The truth, as far as it pertains to Jesus, is that
He is God in flesh and the only provision of God to meet mankind’s condition of
being spiritually dead in sin. Tackling this truth is accepting Jesus Christ as
your Savior, knowing the Gospel, knowing who you are in Him and taking that
message to the world. When you do that you will begin to see the world through
His eyes. Therefore, you will start seeing the news as a reflection of the lost
world in need of salvation and not just as something that brings you down.
Whenever you are feeling down by the news or something else
in your life, remember what it says in Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When you
are weighed down by unpleasant feelings you can relieve that burden by taking it
to the Lord in prayer. Allow the truth of His Word to guard your heart and mind
and give you peace within your inner self. If His truth is guarding your mind,
it is protecting your heart. And if your heart is protected, your feelings will
be also. When your mind and heart are protected by God and His truth, you will
then be able to “attack” the world with the confidence that comes from knowing
your God. Knowing your God produces a rest in your soul which will make you a
productive child of God because you will know He is dealing with all the
unpleasant news in the world already through the death, burial and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. May God continue to reveal to you the blessings you already
have been given through Christ Jesus.
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