My buddy Kurt keeps a LiveJournal that I try to keep up with on a regular basis. It's been pretty fun being able to keep up with an old friend who no longer lives in Texas, but in Boston now. Recently, as a result of the moving of the Holy Spirit through some of his friends, church, and a conference, Kurt's literally turned his life upside-down and inside-out. He's looking into a missions training school. Spending more time in prayer and study. And, most striking to me, giving up most forms of media/entertainment. He's gotten rid of his DVD player and TV. (To know Kurt is to know that this latest step wasn't taken lightly, as he's a diehard fan and critic of a handful of TV shows!)

What I've gathered from conversations with Kurt and through his site is that the biggest reason for the change is to avoid the temptation that inevitably grows for most people with a tele. (Correct me if I'm wrong, Kurt.) Not that all media--tv shows, movies, videos, etc.--is bad, but in weighing the potential for good versus the potential for evil, the potential for evil seems to be too big of a risk to take.

I know many will argue that self-discipline and adherence to the Holy Spirit can assure a victorious result when it comes to keeping the use of media at a safe reach. However, I know my own weaknesses and faults. I know how I've slipped up in the past. Additionally, I'm reminded of Paul's instructions to both Timothy and the Corinthians--to flee from sexual immorality, idolatry, and the love of money (1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:14 & 1 Tim. 6) Seems to me that media, especially the world of television, can fall into all 3 categories!

So I applaud Kurt's efforts, and struggle alongside with him. Faith and I decided to not have a television once we were married. The temptation to fall into the sins of sexual immorality, idolatry, and materialism are all real to us. But more than that, we want the best for our time and to fall into the trap of endless, mindless hours on the couch in front of the tv scares me enough to not even have one. That said, emptying our life of a tv simply provides another potential idol (like this computer) to fill the void. So self-discipline and adherence to the Spirit is still much needed, but simplification helps the process a bit, I believe.

I suppose with this world there'll always be something we can turn into an idol, even if its ourselves.