Y’all, we love TV. Like, seriously love it. Yes, we spend a lot of time outdoors. We go places and we do things in our community, but when 8 o’clock hits (yes, old souls) you will find us in bed binge-watching another Netflix original. If you paid by hours watched or series completed, rather than a monthly bill, we’d be stockholders in Netflix for sure. We love TV. My husband loved TV. So, how could I explain to him that I felt like God wanted us to let that part of our life go?
It’s no secret that I express myself best through written word, so it’s no surprise that I texted him. I figured I could get my words out (without him interrupting me), and he’d have time to mull it over before I got home. I prayed before I hit send.
Breaking Up With Netflix
I typed,
I wanted to go ahead and tell you what’s on my mind right now.
He keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him.
Many years ago we stopped listening to secular music. We understood the effect it had on us.
I love to read. I stopped reading my fav authors like Stephen King. In fact, I only read Christian books now.
We read our Bibles every day, but we honestly spend the majority of our time watching tv.
How does it look to the girls when we constantly say “get out. You can’t watch this.” They’re watching what we watch and basing what is acceptable on that. Are we ourselves becoming desensitized to what is of God? How can we consistently feed stuff into our heads that isn’t of Him? We’ve known for a long time there’s stuff we shouldn’t watch, but I’m thinking that instead of stopping shows/movies over and over, we make a decision to only watch Christian shows/movies. I know they now have Christian tv streaming. GodTV and others.
Just my thoughts today.
His initial reply was, “I agree, but maybe we could just stop watching shows we know we shouldn’t watch. If we don’t watch secular shows, there’s nothing to watch.”
But by the time I got home he was completely in agreement. We started researching different Christian, television streaming services, and finally settled on one I was familiar with, Pureflix (no, this isn’t a sponsored post, lol). We then started a series on that service that I must honestly say is the best television series I have ever seen (Christian or secular). I think my husband has already watched the first season three times.
Since then, we have watched only Pureflix (only Christian movies or series), and it’s been awesome. They make really high quality Christian films now with big budgets and well-known actors, but more importantly we are feeding our spirits and home with positive, Christ-affirming entertainment. We can feel the difference. We’re in a better mood and overall just feel light and airy. I think we underestimate the negative influence entertainment can have on our countenance.
Bonus? We don’t have to chase the children out of the room, yelling “close your eyes” or “cover your ears.” They aren’t equating being an adult with watching “bad” TV. We’re not just instructing them to “do as I say, not as I do.” We are modeling the behavior we expect of them.
And for another thing, have you seen what’s on TV lately?! I know it’s always been pretty bad. I remember all the 80’s movies. My parents let me watch them all. Stuff that I thought was amusing twenty years ago just seems uncomfortably inappropriate now. What was once considered taboo on regular television is broadcast on “family friendly” channels now. Blatant sin is included in cartoons, and taking the Lord’s name in vain doesn’t even make people flinch anymore.
Secular television/movies
So, now do I think all secular television/movies are bad, and anyone who watches them isn’t close to God? Of course not! That shouldn’t even be a consideration, but in a world that finds offense at every single opinion, I feel it necessary to stress that. You watching You? Perfect! I actually really enjoyed that show! You keeping doing you. Me? This is where God is leading my family now. Continue your regularly scheduled program without judgment from my little corner.
And because I had this exact comment on a post before, I’ll add that no, I don’t have a religious spirit. I don’t think God expects perfection or for me to do A, B, and C to go to Heaven. Grace is my favorite subject, and salvation my best gift. I’ll take relationship (with Christ) over religion eight days a week. So, it’s not in some pharisaical spirit that I lay down laws for myself and my family to be more Christ-like. I just love Jesus. Why wouldn’t I want to watch shows made by people who love Him too, or listen to music that praises His name?
Will we always only watch Christian programming from here on out? I honestly don’t know. About eight years ago we did a 30-day challenge with our Christian music, and many, many 30 days later, we’re still 95% Christian tunes. We like it. I imagine we’ll find Christian television feeds us much the same.
So, like I mentioned in the beginning, our breakup with Netflix wasn’t about them so much as it became about us. What did we want to feed our minds? What did we want to model for our daughters? What did God put on our hearts? That’s what brought about our decision for entertainment, and that’s what guides us in all our decisions each and every day.
