Christian Entertainment

Christian entertainment can be determined by the admonition of Jesus, and the counsels of the apostles Paul, John, and James.

Do not love the world
Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.
 * — 1 John 2:15-17

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Do not be conformed to this age
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age,* but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.HCSB (Romans 12:1,2)



Use of the world but not to the full
[29] Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, [30] and those who weep as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those who do not possess, [31] and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing. [32] Indeed, I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he may gain the Lord’s approval. [33] But the married man is anxious for the things of the world, how he may gain the approval of his wife, [34] and he is divided. Further, the unmarried woman, as well as the virgin, is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in her body and in her spirit. However, the married woman is anxious for the things of the world, how she may gain the approval of her husband. [35] But I am saying this for your personal advantage, not to restrict* you, but to move you to what is appropriate and to constant devotion to the Lord without distraction. (1 Corinthians 7:29-35)

Looking at a woman
[28] But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Gehenna. [30] Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Gehenna. - Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:28-30)

Planning ahead
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh. (Romans 13:14)

Works of the flesh
[16] But I say, Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desire at all. [17] For the flesh is against the spirit in its desire, and the spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do the very things you want to do. [18] Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, [20] idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, [21] envy, drunkenness, wild parties,* and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. - Paul's counsel to the Galatians (Galatians 5:16-21)



Desire leads to sin
But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death. (James 1:14, 15)

Example of Jericho

 * See: Jericho

"But keep away from what is devoted to destruction, so that you do not desire something devoted to destruction and take it, making the camp of Israel something devoted to destruction by bringing disaster on it." (Joshua 6:18)