JOSEPH W. TKACH
February 1988
Dear Friend:
Thank you for your question about watching soap operas on
television.
God wants us to be enlightened, balanced individuals. He
wants us to grow in the understanding of the goodness of His law.
The apostle John was inspired to write, "Beloved, I wish above
all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy
soul [being, or life] prospereth" (III John 2).
Knowing this, can we really say that TV soap operas offer
anything worthwhile for Christians? The obvious answer is, not in
the least! Even worldly TV critics who do not claim to be
Christians often write about the futility of the plots and the
gross amount of time spent on morally compromising situations in
the TV soaps. These include premarital sex, adultery, lying, and
murder. These are all part of the "works of the flesh," which God
warns us to avoid:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also
told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). And, remember, if it
is wrong to participate in a certain type of action in the body,
it is also wrong to participate in it in the mind (see Matthew
5:27-28).
Many other scriptures plainly tell us to avoid all those
things which are unlawful and incite wrongdoing. It behooves us,
therefore, to be careful about the type of television programming
we watch. By consulting a program guide, such as those sold at
newsstands or found in local newspapers, one can plan ahead and
know which shows to watch and which to avoid.
Even for elderly persons or shut-ins, it is much better to
find something else to do. Painting, reading, knitting, sewing,
writing letters, drawing, and so on, are all far more worthwhile
than watching some soap opera which is filled with intrigue,
jealousy, and fantasy.
Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the
Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve
you.
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
PASTOR GENERAL