Turn Off the Idiot Box

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18

My children love a song called “Turn Off the Idiot Box.” They sing it constantly. And the thing is, I don’t discourage them from doing so. The song is all about turning off the television because it turns us into mindless zombies who do and believe whatever the box tells us. Nowadays, we live in a time of unrest and division, and much of it is caused by those in politics (doesn’t matter which side you want to pick). They want to keep us divided, and we keep going back to our televisions, phones, and social media to get our opinions. To quote the song, “turn off the idiot box!”

There are some (many) who preach that God is love, but when defining that love treat God as an all-you-can-eat buffet: just pick and choose the attributes you like, and discard what you don’t. And, while God IS love, there are things, and types of people who He clearly states He hates. And while our definitions of love and hate are being constantly reimagined and redefined to fit the narratives of the world, God’s definitions of love and hate have remained constant from the beginning, unwavering and changing. One such thing God hates is divisiveness, including those who cause disunity and division among those who follow Him. That is bad news for the would-be redefiners of God’s love and hate!

God hates disunity and division, so why do we continually partake in it? In the age of social media, we’re more anti-social then ever, we treat people like they all owe us something, and if we don’t get what we want or deserve, we post about it, or, in extreme cases, people hurt or even kill people for something they said or did. We’re becoming self-interested, self-serving anti-social people. This is the opposite of what God wants us to do! The greatest commandment, according to Jesus is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and the other side of that command is to love our neighbor (who is made in His image, emphasis mine), as ourselves. The Apostle Paul even goes so far as to say “consider others better than yourselves.”

To truly love God is to become like Him, and His love is a sacrificial love that holds nothing back from those who would be saved by it, not even the life of His own Son, who was sent as a replacement to pay the penalty for our sin. Loved ones, turn off the idiot box. Stop letting others inform your feelings, open God’s word, and live by it through the Holy Spirit, according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therein lies true peace, love and contentment. It is the only way to find peace and joy that transcends all understanding.

Philippians 2:1-18

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.