In his book Crazy Busy, Kevin DeYoung writes:
Because we understand our worth as image-bearers and our identity as children of God, we will not look to the Internet to prove that we are important, valuable, and loved. And because we accept the presence of indwelling sin, we will not be blind to the potential idolatries and temptations we can succumb to online. And because we know ourselves to be fallen creatures, we will accept the limits of our human condition. We cannot have meaningful relationships with thousands of people. We cannot really know what is going on in the world. We cannot be truly here and there at the same time. The biggest deception of our digital age may be the lie that says we can be omni-competent, omni-informed, and omni-present. We cannot be any of these things. We must choose our absence, our inability, and our ignorance—and choose wisely. The sooner we embrace this finitude, the sooner we can be free.
Previously, I outlined ten principles to guide our use of technology, especially for entertainment. These were:
Recognize the heart’s vulnerability to idolatry.
Embrace the goodness of true rest.
Discern between edifying and destructive content.
Guard your time.
Cultivate prayer and Bible reading as daily habits.
Practice discernment in community.
Respect marriage and family bonds.
Overcome the fear of missing out.
Use technology for kingdom purposes.
Reflect often on eternal realities.
A few days ago, I attempted to summarize these thoughts in a single paragraph and shared the following on Facebook:
We live in a world consumed by entertainment and distraction. Our phones, TVs, and endless digital content shape our desires, often pulling us away from prayer, Scripture, and true worship. Paul warns, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Ro 12:2). Yet many believers unknowingly prioritize screens over Christ. The issue is not just wasted time but misplaced affections. Are we feeding the flesh or the Spirit? True rest is found in Christ, not mindless distraction. Evaluate your habits, guard your heart, and use technology for God’s glory, not your own indulgence.
Shortly after posting, a gentleman replied, “If you had not the opportunity to put this out, how would we realize it’s there unless we look at our mobile phones? Think before you make such a post.”
I had to chuckle at the irony. I responded, “I said, ‘Use technology for God’s glory.’ I’m not against technology. I’m encouraging our wise use of it.”
Avoiding the Extremes of Legalism and Complacency
This leads us to the eleventh principle regarding entertainment and technology: avoid both legalism and complacency.
Legalism and complacency—these are the ditches on either side of the road. Both can be harmful.
Is Entertainment Always Sinful?
Legalism says all entertainment is evil and should be avoided entirely. Get rid of your phone. Take the TV off the wall. If you truly desire godliness, perhaps consider cutting off the electricity as well. You don’t necessarily need to move into a monastery, but you should get as close as possible.
There may be times when radical measures are necessary to avoid temptation. If someone is battling a pornography addiction, for instance, it may be wise to remove access to the internet altogether. As Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Mt 5:29).
But under normal circumstances, neither entertainment nor the desire for entertainment is inherently sinful. The goal is not to reject entertainment entirely but to engage with it wisely.
That said, some advocate for a rigid approach, insisting that Christians should avoid all forms of entertainment. While personal convictions may lead someone to abstain from TV or social media, it is another matter entirely to impose that conviction on others. Jesus warns against “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mk 7:8). Nowhere does Scripture say, “Thou shalt not be entertained.”
In fact, the Bible provides examples of people engaging in recreation. David played music for Saul. Israel celebrated with music and dancing. Solomon enjoyed singers and musicians. Jesus attended a wedding feast. We might even argue that his parables, though primarily didactic, were also engaging stories meant to capture people’s attention. After all, people often forget facts but remember stories.
Entertainment, then, is not inherently evil. There is no need for an extreme or legalistic stance against it.
The Danger of Spiritual Apathy
On the other hand, complacency is just as dangerous. It says, “It’s just entertainment. It’s harmless. It doesn’t matter.” But that kind of thinking is spiritually reckless.
I am convinced of this: the devil thrives on apathy. He does not need to drag us into blatant sin. All he has to do is keep us distracted. If he can keep us entertained long enough and often enough, that is more than enough. Soon, we become ineffective in our spiritual warfare. This is why Peter writes, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pe 5:8).
Be clear-headed. Stay vigilant. The enemy is subtle. He will creep in when you least expect it.
I often think about the introduction to Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death. There, he compares the dystopian visions of George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, concluding that Huxley’s vision was more accurate. Postman writes:
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance... In 1984, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us.
Keep in mind that Postman wrote this in the early 1980s—well before smartphones, social media, and the endless stream of digital distractions we face today.
Evaluating Entertainment by Biblical Standards
Many assume that constant entertainment is harmless as long as they avoid overt filth or immorality. But I want to draw your attention to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:12: “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” J.B. Phillips paraphrases it this way: “As I have said before, ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is necessarily good. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I must not be a slave of anything.”
In other words, something may not be inherently sinful, but it can still be unwise. It may not be inherently sinful, but it may still be dangerously addictive.
Personally, I could live without television. If nothing else, I would be content watching reruns of The Andy Griffith Show and Atlanta Braves baseball in the summer. And speaking of baseball, let’s use that as an example. There is nothing inherently sinful about baseball. It’s just a game. But it is also a game that takes nearly three hours to watch, and there are games almost every day of the season. If I insisted on watching every inning of every game, I could easily rack up 486 hours of baseball from April through September. What do you think the consequences of that would be? What would I be neglecting in the process—my family, my work, my communion with Christ?
Baseball may be lawful, but is it always helpful? If it begins to dominate my time and affections, has it become an idol? What if I find myself more excited about a baseball game than about worshiping with the saints on Sunday? What if I am physically in church but mentally focused on getting home in time for the game?
Walking the Narrow Path Between Legalism and Indulgence
We must walk the fine line between legalism and complacency. Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” On one hand, we should not burden ourselves with extra-biblical commands that forbid all entertainment. On the other hand, Christian freedom is not an excuse for unchecked indulgence. True freedom in Christ leads to wisdom and self-discipline.
So what is the right approach? Enjoy God’s gifts, but do so with wisdom. Guard your heart, but do not impose extra-biblical burdens. Walk in freedom, but do not abuse it.
Practical Steps for a God-Honoring Approach to Entertainment
That brings us to principle number twelve: take practical steps for a God-honoring approach.
If we want our entertainment habits to honor the Lord, we must be intentional. We need real, actionable steps. We need a plan. And I have seven suggestions to consider.
Set Limits on Your Screen Time
First, set limits for yourself.
Be intentional about your screen time. Do not turn on the TV just because it is there. Do not pull out your phone just because you have a free moment. Do not let entertainment dictate your schedule. Decide in advance how much time is reasonable. Before turning on the TV, determine how long you will watch. Set boundaries for phone use, choosing specific times and purposes.
We need to leave space for prayer, Bible reading, reflection, and real-life relationships. Paul reminds us, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2Ti 1:7). Self-control is part of godly living. We must exercise discipline.
Choose Edifying Content
Second, evaluate your choices biblically.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Does your entertainment align with Philippians 4:8? Does it glorify sin? Does it subtly promote immorality? If so, it is not worth dulling your conscience. Jesus said, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off” (Mt 5:30). We should be ruthless in removing stumbling blocks. Paul likewise wrote, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1Co 9:27).
Replace Mindless Entertainment with Meaningful Pursuits
Third, do not just remove empty entertainment—replace it with something better.
Do not merely subtract distractions. Fill that time with edifying pursuits. Read the Bible. Read solid Christian books. Listen to sermons. Spend time with your family. Call a friend. Write a letter. Pray. Go outside and reflect on God’s creation.
Seek Accountability in Your Entertainment Habits
Fourth, seek accountability.
If you struggle with media consumption, do not try to overcome it alone. Pray, of course, but also seek accountability. “Iron sharpens iron” (Pr 27:17). Isolation often fosters sin.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 reminds us:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Christ has given us the church for a reason. Let us rely on one another.
Fix Your Mind on Christ, Not Constant Distractions
Fifth, set your mind on Christ.
Instead of defaulting to television every evening, ask yourself, “What can I do to draw closer to Christ?” Maybe you need to pray, read Scripture, or sing hymns. Maybe you need time with your family. Maybe you need to “be still” (Ps 46:10).
Instead of reaching for your phone, ask, “What can I do to serve his kingdom?”
I will share a quick story. About twelve years ago, I had a favorite coffee shop in North Carolina. It was in the middle of a college campus, so it was always packed with students. One day, while waiting in line, I pulled out my phone to send a text. After sending it, I put my phone away and looked around the room.
I am not exaggerating when I say that every single person in that place was staring at their phone—probably thirty people in total. Even the girl ordering her drink and the barista at the counter were on their phones.
I had probably seen this before, but for the first time, it struck me how strange it was. Here were dozens of people, sitting together in the same room, yet they were all somewhere else.
That moment changed my perspective. The next time I went to that coffee shop, I intentionally left my phone in the car. While standing in line, I noticed a man sitting alone. He looked lonely, so after getting my coffee, I walked over and introduced myself.
We ended up talking for thirty minutes. As it turned out, he was a single guy working in tech, spending most of his time alone. He came to the coffee shop just to be around people. I also discovered that he was a Christian. Here was my brother in Christ, a man I will spend eternity with, and I may have never noticed him if I had been distracted by my phone.
This is why the devil wants us constantly preoccupied. The more distracted we are, the less effective we are. We must fix our minds on Christ—always, everywhere.
Make Small but Consistent Changes
Sixth, start small but stay consistent.
Breaking habits does not happen overnight. If you are accustomed to spending an hour on social media daily, try cutting it down to forty-five minutes, then thirty. If your phone distracts you during prayer, place it in another room. Change happens gradually, one step at a time.
As the saying goes, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
In Zechariah 4, we read about the rebuilding of the temple after its destruction. The returning exiles quickly became discouraged because the work was slow, and each step seemed insignificant. But the Lord said to Zechariah:
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel (Zec 4:9–10).
The Lord reminded them that small beginnings lead to great rejoicing. The temple would be completed, but only one step at a time.
That is how we change our media habits—one small step at a time. So, embrace those small steps.
Find True Joy in God’s Promises
Seventh, lean on God’s promises.
David writes, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11).
A few months ago, I spoke with a young woman who openly rejected Christianity. No matter how much I pressed, she would not give me a specific reason for her objections. She simply insisted that she did not believe it. Later, I learned she had expressed an interest in paganism. That meant her problem was not with the idea of the supernatural. So what was it?
John 3:19–20 gives us insight:
The light has come into the world [that is, Christ], and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
Many people reject Christ because he exposes their sin. He calls them to repent, and they do not want to. Some see God as a killjoy, believing that following Christ means giving up everything enjoyable. But David says otherwise. True joy is found in God. At his right hand are pleasures that last forever.
God is not out to destroy our joy. He wants to give us something better—something deeper, richer, and eternal. The pleasures of entertainment are fleeting, but the joy God offers is everlasting.
With that perspective, we should evaluate our entertainment in light of God’s promises. Compare your habits with eternal realities. Imagine placing a baseball game on one side of the scale and Isaiah 35:10 on the other:
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
There is no comparison. While I might still enjoy a baseball game, it becomes difficult to prioritize over more meaningful pursuits when God’s promise of everlasting joy is at the forefront of my mind. Entertainment loses its grip when we fix our eyes on what truly lasts.
A Biblical Perspective on Books and Reading
With that in mind, I want to consider two forms of entertainment that I have not yet addressed—reading books and listening to music. So far, the focus has been on screens—TV, phones, and video games—but what about these other forms of entertainment?
Many of the same principles apply. Books and music, like any other form of media, can become idols. They can expose us to harmful or destructive content. However, I have set them apart because Scripture speaks more explicitly about them.
Why God Gave Us a Book, Not a Screen
Let’s begin with reading. We might call this a theology of words.
How did the universe come into existence?
“And God said—” (Ge 1:3).
God spoke, and creation was formed.
How does God sustain the universe?
Hebrews 1:3 says, “[Christ] upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
How does God save sinners?
James 1:18: “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth.”
1 Peter 1:23: “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.”
Romans 10:17: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
How has God most clearly revealed himself to us?
Hebrews 1:3 again: “[Christ] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.”
John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Verse 14 continues, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Do you see the pattern?
One more: How do we know God’s will for us?
Psalm 119:130: “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”
Romans 15:4: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable … that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The Baptist Confession states:
The light of nature and the works of creation and providence so clearly demonstrate the goodness, wisdom, and power of God that people are left without excuse; however, these demonstrations are not sufficient to give the knowledge of God and his will that is necessary for salvation. Therefore, the Lord was pleased at different times and in various ways to reveal himself and to declare his will to his church. To preserve and propagate the truth better and to establish and comfort the church with greater certainty against the corruption of the flesh and the malice of Satan and the world, the Lord put this revelation completely in writing. Therefore, the Holy Scriptures are absolutely necessary because God’s former ways of revealing his will to his people have now ceased.
Clearly, words are important. They matter to God, and they should matter to us. God has placed a special emphasis on the written word, particularly in our time. While speaking and preaching have their place, God has chosen to reveal himself and his will to the church through a book—the Bible.
I realize, of course, that the Bible was written before the advent of film or television. I cannot say with certainty how God would have communicated to us if those technologies had existed, but I strongly suspect he would have still used the written word. Here is why.
The Unique Benefits of Reading
First, writing provides clarity and precision that spoken words often lack.
Speech can be powerful and persuasive, and visual media can be compelling. However, writing forces careful thought and deliberate expression. That is why writing is difficult. Every word must be chosen with care.
Peter affirms the clarity of the written word when he says, “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed” (2Pe 1:19). The prophecies of old were made clearer through Christ’s fulfillment of them, but they were also made clearer by being recorded in Scripture. Imagine if we still relied on oral tradition to preserve God’s revelation. We might retain key truths, but we would lose the clarity and permanence that written words provide.
Second, reading fosters meditation and retention.
The reason we gravitate toward screens—videos, images, and short bursts of text—is because they require little effort. Reading, on the other hand, demands concentration. It is not passive. But that is precisely why it is so beneficial. We engage more deeply with what we read, and we are more likely to retain it.
Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”
God commands us not merely to read his Word but to meditate on it. Reading allows for that kind of slow, deliberate reflection.
I have noticed this in my own life. Amazon offers a feature that allows me to switch between an audiobook and a Kindle book seamlessly. I can listen to a book while driving and then pick up where I left off in the Kindle version later. It is a great feature, but I have realized that I retain much less when I listen than when I read. I may hear the words, but I do not engage with them in the same way.
I believe God gave us a book because reading encourages meditation and retention.
Third, books are more universal and accessible than other forms of media.
A written text does not require electricity, internet access, or expensive equipment. A book can be translated and carried to the most remote places on earth. The Bible has been smuggled into closed countries in a way that a digital broadcast never could.
Fourth, the written word is theologically significant because Christ himself is called the Word.
God’s truth is inherently linguistic. That is why he chose to reveal himself primarily through words—spoken words, yes, but ultimately through written words that endure.
I realize that the Bible does not say much explicitly about reading outside of Scripture. However, God’s emphasis on the written word sets a precedent. If the greatest danger of our entertainment-driven culture is distraction and shallowness, then one of the best antidotes is to slow down, focus, and read.
Reading requires attention. It engages the mind. It often leads to deeper reflection. These are crucial disciplines for the Christian life—disciplines that modern media rarely cultivate.
Of course, not all reading is beneficial. Some books are spiritually dangerous. Some are a waste of time. But, generally speaking, reading is a valuable discipline that Christians should not neglect. In our fast-paced, screen-saturated world, it is more important than ever.
The Lasting Value of Christian Books
Richard Baxter, the English Puritan, held a high regard for sound Christian books. He once compared books to preaching. If given the choice between hearing a doctrinally sound sermon or reading a doctrinally sound book, which should we choose? Here is what he said:
The writings of divines are nothing else but a preaching of the gospel to the eye, as the voice preaches it to the ear. Vocal preaching has the pre-eminence in moving the affections, and being diversified according to the state of the congregation which attend it. In this way the milk comes warmest from the breast. But books have the advantage in many other respects.
Baxter then lists several advantages that books have over sermons. Some of them are quite humorous, whether he intended them to be or not:
“You may read an able preacher when you have but [an inferior] one to hear.”
“Every congregation cannot hear the most judicious or powerful preachers, but every single person may read the books of the most powerful and judicious.”
“Preachers may be silenced or banished, when books may be at hand.”
“Books may be kept at a smaller charge than preachers.”
“We may choose books which treat that very subject which we desire to hear, but we cannot choose what subject the preacher shall treat.”
“Books may be at hand every day and hour, when we cannot have sermons but seldom, and at set times.”
“If sermons are forgotten, they are gone, but a book we may read over and over till we remember it; and if we forget it, may again peruse it at our leisure, or at our pleasure.”
To be clear, Baxter did not suggest replacing preaching with books. However, he recognized that books have a unique role in the Christian life. They allow us to learn from the most gifted teachers of every generation. They give us access to wisdom that might otherwise be unavailable to us.
The point is this: books should have a prominent place in our lives. They are a tremendous blessing when chosen wisely.
But we will return to this topic next time.
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