Television has a tremendous effect on our because we spend many hours watching and listening to it. Much of what we see and hear on television is being absorbed by our minds; therefore, it influences our thinking and behavior. If the information we receive through, television is contrary to the principles found in the Bible, then it will lead us into an ungodly way of life. Those who are in control of determining what material will be shown on television have a great responsibility resting upon them to see that television is used as an instrument for good and not evil.

Unfortunately, those who are in charge of - the programs on television have no fear of God or respect for His . Word! I am deeply disturbed over the devastating effect television is having upon our morals. Satan has gained almost complete control of this medium. Sin is glorified on most programs. You know that the above statements are right.

The morality of this nation is deteriorating. The proof of this is seen in the increasing rate of crime, abortion, rate of divorce, number of couples living together without being married, number of people who engage in homosexual acts; adult book stores; pornographic literature, etc. Most television programs encourage people to participate in all manner of wickedness. Sinful activity such as fornication, adultery, petting, lying, swearing, stealing, murdering, etc., is promoted by television as a smart thing to do. Most programs have endorsed evil so long and so much that we cannot discern between good and evil. We have become accustomed to hearing and seeing filth so long that we are no longer embarrassed by it and have gradually accepted it into our lives. We had better wake up to what is happening to us, why it is happening, and put a stop to it or we will feel the wrath of God!

So, the answer to the question, "Is television having an evil influence on us?" is a definite, "Yes!" Television has changed through the years and the change has not been for the better. Today, producers feel that programs must deal with shocking subject matter or people will not watch it. Believing this, they have saturated most programs with scenes of actors in intimate embraces, discussing the most delicate subjects with suggestive and lewd language. These actors do not hesitate to disrobe themselves or allow their bodies to be caressed. All of this is being seen and accepted by millions of viewers as the normal way to live. Our sense of shame is destroyed. Our conscience is seared. Jeremiah said, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush. . ." (Jer. 8:12).

Billy Graham recently said, "Prime time TV is now the biggest threat to the nation's morality." He went on to say, "If we fail to recognize and reverse the present downhill course, we risk the total abandonment of the high morals on which America was founded."

I do not believe you can watch television at night for a period of four hours without viewing scenes, or hearing words, which are designed to arouse lustful thoughts and desires. Most programs have women, and sometimes men, that are immodestly clothed. If you think you can watch that which is filthy without being adversely effected by it, you are deceived! You cannot have a pure mind while you fill it with that which is impure. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . ." (Prov. 23:7).

We become greatly upset with those who pollute our water and air, but encourage those who pollute our minds and the minds of our children. How foolish we are, for our minds are far more valuable than the air we breathe and the water we drink! You can drink polluted water and still go to heaven, but you can not go to heaven with a polluted and corrupted mind.

We, as parents, had better wake up to the fact that all manner of filth and wickedness is being daily poured into our homes by means of television. We must begin censoring what we and our children are watching. The same knob that turns your television on can also turn it off. It saddens me to know that the minds of our children are being corrupted by television, and we are permitting this to happen with very little protest. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34).

Truth Magazine XXII: 16, p. 261
April 20, 1978