Back…way back….when there was no internet, I used to spend three hours a day watching, “General Hospital,” “All My Children,” and “One Life to Live,” in that order. I saw my fascination with these soap operas grow and grow. I couldn’t get enough.
In the back of my mind, however, there was a nagging. These stories were about sleeping around, ruthless manipulation, lying, cheating, anger, and all sorts of mayhem. A scripture bubbled up into my consciousness about such things.
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God,” Galatians 5:19-21.
As I looked around at my three small boys, playing in the same room as these unsavory stories were unfolding, I realized I was filling their minds with this trash, too.
I can’t remember if I went cold turkey or not, but I reclaimed those three hours for better things. My boys grew up knowing the term “Trash TV.” (I chuckled to myself not long ago, when my son chided his wife for watching, “Trash TV.”)
Two years ago, I completely cancelled cable. Now, hubby isn’t too happy because he really likes football season and even with the digital antenna, he can’t pick up CBS. So, when Purdue or the Bengals are playing we go to Buffalo Wild Wings and watch on the big screen. Other than that, we don’t miss it.
I no longer allow Satan signals about sex to compete with God’s design. Satan wants us to only see stories that promote premarital sex and adultery as OK because you deserve to be happy!
Being the marriage advocate I am, watching an affair or sexual promiscuity fictitiously evolve on screen ticks me off. The negatives feelings walk around with me all day. Sometimes, they show up at a tender moment and taint the good stuff that is going on between my husband and me.
I am a wife who struggles with seeing sexual intimacy as a gift from God. By cancelling cable, I cut Satan’s signals about sex. It was one less place where I had to filter out unholy messages.
Now, I’m free of the residue.
Without cable I’m not constantly exposed to the news channels, either. You may call me a poor citizen because sometimes I don’t know the latest news in the country, but I sleep a lot better.
The negativity of racy TV and really depressing news has been lifted.
Being rid of Satan’s signals, Sex began to feel holy. It dawned on me. There’s usually no mention of the spiritual essence of sexuality in sex scenes or inappropriate commercials. Sex is all about the physical. That’s Satan’s lie.
Whatever your mass media of choice (cable, books, the internet), you might want to consider whether it affects your view of Holy Sex.
Post Script – I am not living like a mountain woman with no access to the outside world. I mostly watch family friendly movies on Netflix and series’ on Hulu. My current favorite on Hulu is called, ‘The 100.’ I’m a science fiction fan.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” Philippians 4:8.
See Covenant Eyes’ article: If You’re Watching Game of Thrones, You’re Watching Porn
Excellent!!! Very good advice, it controls more than we think.
From your “almost” mountain woman friend 😉
Thanks, CB! It is a very subtle influence that holds way too much power.
We cancelled our cable years ago. We had about a few months of withdrawal pains, but we haven’t missed it since. We also have Netflix and Hulu and select our shows. I’ve found that being careful with what you watch and what you read makes a difference in how you think.
Thanks for another great post!
I guess great minds think alike. 🙂 Yep, it’s cliche, but garbage in/garbage out.
I don’t know any high drive wives.
Christian high drive wives exist and they are hurting. Which means, there are plenty of low-drive husbands out there, too. It might be time for us all to contemplate letting go of cultural stereotypes, of the constantly pursuing male and refusing woman.
Mike, I’m a higher drive wife and I’m very real. And yes, it’s painful. The cultural stereotypes lead a woman like me to believe that there must be something horribly wrong with me because my husband doesn’t want sex all the time, nor does he want it half as often as I do. Since we are taught men think about sex all the time and would do it every time they could, this is hard for wives like me to deal with.
And you probably know some of us without knowing it. I’m attractive, I smile, I seem confident and happy. I don’t go around discussing this in public. I am sure most people who know me would never guess my situation.
Tip for you and hubby – there’s a site called Wiziwig that streams most sports games live for free. It’s a little annoying dealing with the ads before you can stream the game, but once you’ve got it it streams the games pretty well. We cut our cable to internet only about three years ago, and honestly don’t miss it.
Ted, thanks for the tip! Dave will be thrilled. 🙂 Yeah, cable free is the way to be.
We have never had cable but that doesn’t stop hubby from watching whatever he wants from pornographic HBO shows to rated R movies. I have removed myself from our room when he does watch them, but he is content with that. He’d rather I indulge with him, but he is ok with me leaving, too. One time I did stay against my better judgement and a scene came on and he started fondling me while watching it and making comments. I hated that. Oddly enough he’s the less adventurous spouse and gatekeeper. I hate it!!! He knows I hate it, but thinks I am just a controlling prude and I should know that he doesn’t watch it for THAT. He also thinks I am jealous of the nude actresses and I should be happy that he finds me just as attractive as them. Talk about under a rock clueless.
You are right in pointing out that you can find raunch even without cable. You had every right to hate what was going on. Porn is Satan’s most insidious weapon. It steals intimacy out of sex and just makes sex physical stimulation. I hate porn because it takes good men and skews their minds and hearts. I know your pain. I would highly suggest you read “Surfing for God,” by Cusick. If there is anything I can pray for you specifically, email me at pearlmail3@gmail.com.