The Entertainment Trap

Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t like to be entertained?

Entertainment is something most people pursue without end, to exhaustion, even, which is sort of ironic if you really think about it. The whole idea behind entertainment is that a person gets to sit back, relax, and “enjoy the show,” as they say. The appeal of entertainment is obvious. However, is there a downside to it? I mean, if we step back and consider the Devil’s strategy in this world, what might we conclude?

The Bible tells us that we are at war. The genesis of this war was the fall of Satan and his demons. Sometime before human history even began, the highest ranking angel of his time, Satan, decided to defect from the righteousness of God, convincing one third of the angels to follow him. This is the same creature dubbed “the god of this world” in Holy Scripture (2 Corinthians 4:4). Most entertainment in this world is promoted by this same dubious being. Hollywood is wrought with satanic doctrine, as evidenced by the filth it produces. People lap it up like dogs - many are so-called “Christians.” “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,’ and, ‘A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire’” (2 Peter 2:22).

Am I suggesting that one of the greatest visible conflicts of all today is occurring between our eyeballs and our television, computer, and smartphone screens? Absolutely. Arguably the most efficient assault ever waged on mankind presents itself as “entertainment.” Satan is a genius. I think we forget this simple truth sometimes.

“OMG, I love [fill in the blank with your favorite actor/actress]!”

I’ve heard the above statement countless times. Heck, to be honest, I’ve said it, too. We don’t really know our entertainers, though, do we? We purchase a lie and fantasize about actually knowing someone based on what we see on a screen. Sadly, there are a million other delusional people thinking the same thing about the same person. The whole construct is folly. But we go on deceiving ourselves, wanting and willing to believe that our entertainers are good people, that their intentions are godly, and that our lives are enriched because we supposedly “know them.” The truth is that we don’t know them, not at all. They are merely idols. They lie to our faces and we slop it up like the dumb sheep we are.

His speech was smoother than butter,
But his heart was war;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords.
We cannot play the fool, either - let’s be honest, we choose our idols, don’t we? We excitedly sift through them with a trained eye and find the one(s) that we might fantasize about the most, that we can emotionally cling to as our deliverer(s) from boredom. We love our entertainers, don’t we? Whether they are singing, dancing, wearing a football uniform, or maybe even preaching a false message on a Sunday morning, we spend more time pursuing a destructive relationship with them than we do a healthy one with Jesus (when I say “we” I mean people, in general - it’s good to keep this personal because we’re all guilty).

Man loves to be entertained and he loves his entertainers. The Bible tells us that these things are trojan horses for the Devil. It’s a lot easier for our enemy to infiltrate us if we extend an invitation. This malady takes root when we give him unattended access to our souls. It becomes a severe disease when we allow him to establish counterfeit doctrines there. What ought to be cause for instantaneous red flagging is met with a welcome and a smile. Would you ever greet someone intent on stealing from you the same way? Would you say, “Come on in and take whatever you’d like!”? I think not. And yet, we invite the most evil creature in human history into our living rooms, our offices, and even our bedrooms. Media entertainment might just be the greatest ruse of all time.

Call it “entertainment” when it’s really an act of war! Paint it pretty and call it good. Appeal to the lusts of the flesh and you can call it whatever you like. You don’t even have to spend a lot of time deceiving people because they are quite adept at deceiving themselves!

Entertainment as we know it today is a trap. Our enemy sells us empty promises and fantasies. In America, it’s not uncommon for a single household to spend upwards of five hundred dollars per month on television, Internet, and smartphone access. Am I wrong in calling this borderline obscene? I mean, how much media do we need to consume in a day? We might as well just strap ourselves naked to a medieval torture device and scream, “I’m ready…go ahead and rip my soul apart as you will!” You may think I’m being overly dramatic here; but, my friend, I am only being brutally honest.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Entertainers are idols. Consumers are idolaters. “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

We are at war and most of us have happily invited our enemy into our souls. We call it entertainment, but it’s one of the greatest trickeries ever played and with a success that folks a couple of hundred years ago wouldn’t have believed possible. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Look at the centerpiece of your living room, or in your back pocket, or on your lap. Is the media syringe the dominant feature? Do you hear the voice of some sports- or newscaster more than your pastor? Do you lend your attention more to your favorite singer than those in the church choir? Are you more inspired by “courageous” acts of social justice or the sovereign will of God? What do you choose to talk about with friends? Where do you go when you have free time? Most importantly, what do you let into your soul?

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.
Be careful what you call entertainment. It’s likely the very instrument your enemy uses to seduce you. The result is misery.

The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
If you find your enemy lurking in your soul this day…if you’ve given him entrée via personal invitation…if you’re just seeing the truth in this moment…then act now! You can’t change yesterday, but right now is fully available for consideration. Kick your enemy out!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Love in Christ,

Ed Collins