Radio And Television

by F. McCormick | Category: General | Mar 1952

"The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." So said the wise man in Ecclesiastes i. 8, after investigating every avenue of human experience in this world for happiness. Though written about 8,000 years ago, these words have been demonstrated to be absolutely true throughout the centuries which have intervened. Men are still unsatisfied with what they see and hear in this world, and there is an insatiable craving in the human heart for more and more, for men can never really be satisfied until by faith they see, and hear, God.

We do not question for one moment the marvels of Radio and Television. They may have their legitimate uses. The Radio may be used as a means of saving life when ships are in peril, and transmitting urgent messages of various kinds. Television may be used to demonstrate surgical operations of extreme delicacy to medical students without the necessity of crowding round the surgeon specialist. In this article we are not concerned with these things, our purpose is to point out to fellow believers in our Lord Jesus Christ the dangers to spiritual life by allowing the Radio and Television to find a place in the home.

It may be said, that certain people have a legitimate use for Radio, that it is therefore lawful to use it. We would like those who use the Radio to search their hearts as to the reason why they do so. Even though the reason be a lawful one, I would ask, Is it expedient for the children of God to have it? Is there not such a thing as self-denial, in consideration of the lambs of the flock, and others, lest a stumbling block be put in their way? How many with a Radio set confine its use solely to the requirements of business, or to weather forecasts and harmless items of news? It is the danger of its misuse which confronts us, and we see no reason why a believer should install one in his home, except in certain extreme cases. So far as Television is concerned, there seems no reason at all for its use in the home. We need to consider our ways in regard to these matters, lest haply we drift into a state of indifference. So long as we are in these bodies of our humiliation, the flesh, that unalterably corrupt nature inherited from Adam, ever seeks the pre-eminent place in our lives, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh" (Galatians 5.17).

The great Adversary, Satan, has ever sought to scatter that which is together of God, and to destroy the individual lives of God's people. Our knowledge of the truths of "the faith", which we hold so tenaciously, may save us from the former, but are we fully aware of the subtle wiles of the Devil in the homes of God's saints? Are we alive to the fact, that little by little he seeks to gain possession of the home, distracting tile thoughts, and occupying the time of God's people with the frivolities of the world? He knows full well how to cater for the fleshly appetite. Let not apathy and indifference lull any one into a fatal sleep. Much, very much, of that which is broadcast over the Radio is destructive of spirituality, defiling the mind, and destroying the inward happiness of the believer in communion with God.

We believe the spirituality of God's people would rise to greater heights, and power in testimony would increase, if the Radio were voluntarily banished from the homes of God's saints once for all, and at the same time we applied ourselves to the reading of God's word, to meditation, and to prayer. Some may, however, put in a plea that it is nice to listen to the church services at times. Alas, if it be so! We speak as those who are in God's house, who have taken our place outside of all worldly and religious organisations in separation unto Him, outside the camp. Shall we lend an ear to that which we have professedly left behind? Is there not something singularly inconsistent in tuning in privately, to something you would not go to listen to publicly? How easy to do this in the secrecy of the home, hence the danger of being affected through eargate, almost unconsciously, it may be, until the wall of separation seems almost unnecessary. Thus the Adversary's work is done, the heart is affected, and truth is let go.

"Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God" (Hebrews 3.12).

Likewise it is possible to tune in to all manner of entertainment in the privacy of the home, without the necessity and stigma of being seen at such things. It is well to remember that

"All things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4.18).

The temptation is ever present to say "Who seeth us? and, Who knoweth us?" (Isaiah 29.15). Does not such an attitude of a divided heart cut at the very core of real heart-communion with God? It is little use to pray, "And bring us not into temptation" (Matthew 6.18) if of our own volition we enthrone within our homes a Television set, the idol of the worldling. Greater temptation to the disciple of the Lord Jesus is emerging in the increased use of this truly wonderful invention, from a scientific viewpoint. It can become a real menace to the disciple, as it introduces a combination of appeal to the carnal mind through both eyegate and eargate.

There can be no doubt that what enters by means of eyegate leaves a lasting impression upon the mind. Try as we may, it is difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate from the mind the things seen, whether in real life, or reproduced in pictures on the screen, in book or newspaper. What a menace and danger then to the disciple of the Lord to introduce into the house this new inventi9n of Television We feel that there is not the slightest justification for believers to install such things in their homes. What shall be said, too, of the power of example? We draw attention to the detrimental and destructive

effects upon children in their impressionable years, if such should witness their parents gazing with attention at the screen showing some questionable feature, and themselves being allowed to do the same. Parents should consider the gravity of such things before the Lord. Adverse impressions created in the days of childhood, and youth, may affect the whole future course of their lives. We are reminded of the abiding injunction, "But nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6.4).

Do Radio and Television help in doing this? No, and eternal issues may be decided by the allowance of such things in the home. Is it possible that the homes of God's saints shall be used as miniature cinemas, or music halls? Will they be filled with the sound of the jazz and the songs of the worldling? What we have said of the Radio is true also of Television, there is a constant temptation to watch and become fascinated with the world's sports, football, boxing, etc., etc., until watchers be lulled into spiritual insensibility. Oh, that believers could see more of Christ, and become intent on listening to His voice, the sweetest that ever fell on human ears! Words of grace and truth, of spirit and of life, of consolation and comfort, fell from those blessed lips. Child of God, will you leave Him, and your Bible, to watch the screen, and listen to the trash of the Radio? It was Peter who said, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6.68).

As pilgrims here on earth, let us catch the strain of the heavenly song, and listen afresh to the entreaty: "Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2.11). Let us learn more of the language and ways of heaven, to which we are fast hastening, and let us remember that our glorious Saviour in all His beauty will for ever fill our vision, His words will entrance our hearts throughout eternity. "He is altogether lovely," "His mouth is most sweet."

"0 Lord, Thou art enough,

The mind and heart to fill;

Thy life to calm each anxious thought,

Thy love each fear dispel."

If our visions were visions of God, and our hearts occupied with Him, the Radio and Television would be cast out as dross. Our power in testimony would increase, and who can tell the effects which would follow the cleansing of the homes of God's saints from such defiling influences?

"Prove me now herewith .... if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing" (Malachi 3.10).

"Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2.Corinthians 7.1).

F. McCormick | Mar 1952
General