What is truth?

This is the question that Pilot asked of Jesus in John 18:38. It’s the same question that people ask themselves today. We search for answers, it’s part of our natures. Usually what keeps us searching is the fact that we want the correct answers.

Just about every time we go and speak somewhere on the dangers that are lurking in the popular media, there is a common question that resonates throughout the audience.

What should I watch?

This question is often times followed by a barrage of titles seeking to be qualified by the speaker with a thumb up or thumbs down.

So instead of pumping out information on what this or that celebrity is doing or why X movie is gnostic, let’s get to the question that people find themselves faced with after the seminar is over.

Philippians 4:8 is a great qualifier for media choices. Let’s take it step by step.

Whatsoever things are true. What is true? Let the Word of God speak for itself.

Psalms. 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

The Bible tells us that 3 things are true.

1. The law

2. Jesus

3. The Gospel

Philippians 4:8 tells us to “think on these things”. We are to think about the truth.

We are to think on the law, Jesus & the Gospel.

So how does this tell me what I should watch?

Let’s make a paradigm shift and modify the question.

How should I spend my time?

After all shouldn’t Jesus be first and foremost in our lives? Shouldn’t furthering His kingdom be our work?

There is a quote from Signs of the Times January 4, 1883 paragraph 11 that speaks well to this issue.

The perfection of our Saviour’s character awakens the admiration of angels and of men. Here is an exhaustless theme for thought. The brightest and most exalted of the sons of the morning heralded his glory at creation, and announced his birth with songs of gladness. They veil their faces before him as he sits upon his throne; they cast their crowns at his feet, and sing his triumphs as they behold his resplendent glory. Our souls are cold and dull because we do not dwell upon the matchless charms of our Redeemer. If we occupy our thoughts in contemplating his love and mercy, we shall reflect the same in our life and character; for by beholding, we become changed. Oh, the mysteries of redemption! Only by exalting Jesus and abasing self can we celebrate aright the birth of the Son of God.

If we are thinking about the things of truth mentioned above, we are not going to be so focused on “What should I watch? ”

In fairness, let’s not skirt that question though either. Let’s be honest, there are things most of us will watch. Video is a very prevalent part of our society. But video is not the only thing we behold. There is a lot of material that comes across our path to read.

And if we hold it to the qualifier of truth, it would eliminate a lot of our choices.

Is there a chance that we will read or see something that is not true? Sure, these days it can be difficult to tell a lie from the truth. But if we find that we are spending more time thinking about the things that embody truth, we will easily spot those lies and not be drawn to them. That’s why it’s important how we spend our time.

The bottom line….?

Spend more time with the Savior. When that happens you’ll be asking a lot less, ‘What should I watch? ”