Entertainment

Winning the Spiritual War

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Al Menconi
President, Al Menconi Ministries
May 10, 2001

The Bible teaches that we are in a spiritual war (Eph. 6:12). We know that’s true, but have you ever thought about where this war is taking place? Scripture is very clear when it says to:

“Set our mind on things above…” (Col 3:1)

“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5)

“…think on these things” (Phil. 4:8)

“…renew your mind” (Rom. 12:1-2)

“Love the Lord with…all your mind” (Matt. 22:37)

There is little doubt that a major facet in the spiritual war is a battle for our mind, for the control of our thoughts, our beliefs, our feelings, our desires, and our actions.

I’m convinced that entertainment is a major influence in this war. Colossians 2:8 warns us not to let others spoil our faith and joy (beliefs) with their empty philosophies, wrong and shallow answers based on men’s thoughts and ideas instead of what Christ said. Isn’t that a description of the vast majority of today’s entertainment? When you put someone’s thoughts on celluloid, we call it a motion picture; on video it’s called a television program; put them on a CD with a tune and we call it music. That’s why I believe the vast majority of the ammunition in this war is supplied by the entertainment industry!

The sad truth is that many of us are being entertained to death. Instead of Satan announcing that he was our enemy and warning us how he wants to undermine our spiritual life, he has convinced us that he is our friend and he simply wants to entertain us.

What is the effect?
Follow this simple progression:

Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that the “…joy of the Lord is our strength.”

For Satan to make us weak, he has to destroy our joy.

Col. 2:8 says that if we continue to entertain ourselves with the empty philosophies of this world, it will undermine our joy.

Where do you find the empty philosophies of this world? Turn on most CDs, TV programs, videos, or most other forms of entertainment.

I believe that this is a major reason why so many Christians are struggling with their spiritual life. We have allowed our minds to be “conformed to the values of this world” (Rom. 12:1) without even realizing it. Things that once were considered offensive, now entertain us.

If my theory is true, shouldn’t churches take a stronger role in educating believers on how to fight in this spiritual battle for our minds? Most churches and parents want to avoid the entertainment issue entirely. But we can’t. It is all around us. It shapes our world, but it doesn’t have to shape us.

What can we do?

Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment. Nothing of significance can be accomplished without prayer.

Realize that much of today’s entertainment industry supplies the ammunition in the spiritual war of life. If you realize who the enemy is, you will be better able to defend yourself.

Become aware of the philosophies of today’s entertainment. Don’t make blanket statements. It’s not all bad nor it’s all good. Evaluate all of it in light of God’s Word.

Set the example in your home by not entertaining yourself with philosophies that are against biblical values. How can we teach our children to make godly choices when we aren’t doing it our selves?

Teach your family to make wise entertainment choices. The goal is to teach your family how to think biblically, not simply what to think.

We’ve designed our Web site to help you fight this battle for the mind, with an extensive library of articles to help you discern the messages in today’s media and to set your mind on things above.