The Dangers of Explicit Content in TV Shows and Advertisements: A Biblical Perspective
In today’s culture, TV shows and advertisements often portray explicit content and behaviors that contradict God’s word, leading many Christians to feel conflicted about the media they consume. From promoting sexual relationships outside of marriage to normalizing same-sex relationships, the media seems to continuously present these actions as acceptable. In this post, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on how such content is not in alignment with Biblical teachings, and how we, as Christians, should respond.
TV Shows and the Promotion of Sinful Behavior
TV shows today often depict sexual relationships as casual and outside the sanctity of marriage. They show people engaging in sexual relationships without commitment, or worse, they promote same-sex relationships, which is explicitly against God’s design for marriage. As a Christian, I believe that men and women should only engage in sexual relations within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, as God designed it. The Bible is clear about this, stating:
- Hebrews 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
- Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
- Romans 1:26-27: “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another.”
These verses remind us that God designed sex to be experienced only within the context of a marriage between a man and a woman, and He does not condone any behavior outside of this.
The Impact of TV Shows on Society
When TV shows normalize sinful behaviors, they have the power to shape public opinion and influence individuals. If we as Christians are constantly exposed to these messages, it becomes harder to maintain our moral compass, and we may begin to accept behaviors that God has condemned. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:28 that “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This shows us that exposure to explicit content—even if it’s just through TV shows or advertisements—can lead to sinful thoughts and actions.
As believers, we are called to guard our hearts and minds. This is why we should be mindful of the media we consume. If you come across shows that promote ideas contrary to God’s word, like premarital sex or same-sex relationships, it’s important to turn it off or choose alternatives that align with Biblical values. It may be helpful to revisit older TV shows, like those made before 1990, where such content was not as prevalent.
Advertisements and the Promotion of Immorality
In addition to TV shows, advertisements today have also become platforms for promoting sexualized content. Many ads aimed at women feature suggestive images or even outright pornographic content. It seems that, in the pursuit of selling products, advertisers are more than willing to expose people to graphic content, often without consideration of the harm it can cause.
- Matthew 5:29: “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
- Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
These verses show us the importance of protecting our minds and hearts from harmful influences. If an advertisement or TV show is causing us to stumble, we must take action—whether it’s turning the channel, changing the ad, or even turning off the TV altogether. The Bible makes it clear that we are not to indulge in immoral content, and we have a responsibility to protect ourselves from it.
A Call to Action: Protect Your Heart and Mind
If you find yourself watching shows or ads that contradict God’s design for marriage and sexuality, I urge you to take a stand. Turn off the TV or choose alternative content that aligns with Biblical values. And remember, there are many older TV shows that do not promote explicit or immoral behavior. We don’t have to subject ourselves to the worldly influences that surround us.
What are your thoughts on the current state of TV shows and advertisements? How do you handle explicit content in the media? Let’s start a conversation and share ideas on how we can protect ourselves and our families from these harmful influences, while still being a light in a dark world.