My family and I no longer waste money on cable TV, but when we did, one of the only “Christian” programs I could find was the 700 Club, aired locally on a channel called “ABC Family.”
Now, I don’t agree with everything you see on the 700 Club, and I have some real questions about some of it. But overall, I enjoy the news presented from a Christian perspective, and I enjoy some of the testimonies and appreciate the fact that you can find people praying to the one true God in the name of Jesus Christ on television.
But what bothers me most about watching the 700 Club on “ABC Family” is that before the program starts, this network feels the need to run a disclaimer stating, “The views and opinions expressed in the following program are not those of ABC Family.” After the program is finished, they do this again, with a similar statement.
I know this should be expected, but this really bothers me. Because for a channel that calls itself “Family,” “ABC Family” is anything but. I was shocked when I first discovered this channel, thinking this would be good family entertainment, and yet, the movie they broadcast that night was so racy I couldn’t continue watching it. The movie featured a family that was the epitome of dysfunction: adulterous parents, a promiscuous teenage daughter dancing in strip bars, engaging in premarital sex while in high school, drug use, etc. Other shows on this channel promote sitcoms featuring inept fathers, unwed mothers, divorced parents, homosexual and bisexual relationships, adultery, blasphemy, you name it.
Yet none of this content includes a disclaimer at the top and bottom of the show. Only the “Christian” programming. Should we take this to mean that while the 700 Club does not reflect the values of ABC Family, all these other programs DO reflect their values? Most likely, yes.
Indeed, the tag line on this channel is “ABC Family, a New Kind of Family.” So if you watch this programming, you should be aware that YOU are being programmed to accept the New World Order’s “New Kind of Family” – one in which homosexual marriage is normal, drug use is normal, witchcraft is normal, strip bars are normal, all manner of blasphemy and perversion is normal. But the God of the Bible is NOT.
Most people would not catch this. But with a modest amount of discernment, you can see how we’re being slowly brainwashed to accept the perverse as normal and to reject the things of God. In fact, it is not all that subtle anymore. It is pretty obvious.
This is just another example of how I know the Bible is true, and how I know Jesus Christ is the one true God. Because you can list off thousands of arguments to answer the skeptics – But to me, the truths of our faith are basic and easy enough for even the simplest mind to comprehend.
Consider this for instance: why is it that in America today, we can speak about any topic in just about any social situation, and that is just fine? We can talk about politics. We can talk about sodomy and “gay marriage.” We can talk about global warming. We can talk about the war on drugs. We can even talk about other world religions. BUT…walk into a group of people and say, “let’s talk about Jesus,” and that simple phrase will make peoples’ skin crawl. “Let’s talk about JESUS.” You may as well have tossed a snake on the table. They’ll roll their eyes, consider you a nut and write you off. Still, they have a knot in the pit of their stomachs, and a profound uneasy feeling. Simply because you said, “Let’s talk about Jesus.”
Now why is it that this same group of people will be more than open to discussing Islam, Yoga, UFOs – anything at all – yet the mere mention of the name “Jesus” makes their skin crawl? Where does that knot in the pit of their stomach come from?
The answer is that Jesus is REAL – the one true Son of God and their God-given consciences are convicted. Jesus is alive and active and REAL. And in our fallen world, a world ruled by Satan, the name of God’s Son is offensive to those who are perishing.
Would you like another example? Consider the unsaved, unrepentant sinner. When he experiences his worst times of frustration – being stuck in a thick traffic jam, being cut off by a rude driver, or working on a home project and striking his thumb with a hammer – what does this unbelieving, non-Christian shout? Dare I say, he yells the name of God’s Son, the name of the Son of the one true God – “Jesus Christ.” Now why would he do that? He does not believe in Jesus Christ anymore than he believes in Allah, Buddha, or Zeus. Yet it is the name of Jesus that he shouts.
The answer is that Satan, the enemy of us all, and the evil ruler of this world, loves it when the precious name of our Savior is used as a curse word. It is blasphemy and degrades the Son of God and cheapens His sacrifice for us. The fact is, Allah, Buddha and Zeus are not real. Shouting their names would be meaningless. But shouting the name of Jesus, that means something – even to those who refuse to believe in Him. Because although their hearts are hardened to Him, and although they refuse to believe in Him, still they shout His name. It’s because they are controlled by their “god” – Satan, whether they know it or believe it – or not.
Why is it that Christianity is the main target of groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the ACLU? Why do these groups want the Ten Commandments removed from society? Why do they fight to have prayers in the name of Jesus Christ removed from public? Mind you, they don’t necessarily fight to remove ALL prayer. But it is when people pray “in Jesus’ name” that they begin to panic. Yes, they claim they are fighting to prevent a public endorsement of one particular religion. Yet, when schools in New York mandated students to memorize and recite Islamic prayers as part of a public school curriculum, where was the outrage then? There WAS NO outrage. Why? Because Islam is a false religion. It’s meaningless. The god of Islam is not real, thus poses no threat to Satan. It is only Jesus Christ and His followers who must be attacked.
Folks, as I survey our modern world, it is the worst I’ve seen it my whole life, and continuing on a downward spiral at an alarming pace. It’s not just America either. In London, England, city buses were recently adorned with large signs that read, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Why do these anti-God groups invest so much time, effort and money — and make it their life’s work to drag people into hell? When one Christian bus driver stood up and told his supervisor he could not, in good conscience, operate a vehicle with a sign like that, he lost his job.
I’ve given a few examples here of how even the simplest mind can grasp the facts that the Bible is true. But the ultimate truth can be found in God’s Word, because the Scriptures were God-breathed, written outside the laws of time. In other words, He sees the end from the beginning. He does not predict the future. He knows the future like He knows the past. So we can read His Word with confidence that it is true. If anyone still doubts, let him read the following and then ask if this does not perfectly describe the tribulations our world is experiencing this very day: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…” (Romans 1:18-22).
“Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts…
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts…Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind…They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
“Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1: 24-32).
Those are haunting words that should terrify us: “God gave them over…” The Lord is patient and does not want any of us to perish. Yet even He has a breaking point.
Many, like sheep, are being led astray by the brainwashing of the world. Many are hypnotized by the mind-control programming of television, accepting the world’s “New Kind of Family.” Many can blaspheme the name of the Savior and think nothing of it, and rather than be convicted in their spirit at the name of Christ, they simply get angry and lash out at anyone proclaiming – or bearing – His name.
But if what you have heard here makes sense to you, consider that God is calling you to a new life. Repent of your old, worldly ways and choose God’s way. Jesus said that those who take up their cross and follow Him, and those who stand firm to the end will be saved. Be aware of the brainwashing of the world. Be discerning. Know good and bad, right and wrong. Using your God-given free will, choose righteousness.
“Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (I Peter 1:13 – 15).
“I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Peter 2: 11-12).
“…in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘where is this coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation…” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
I really sense an urgency now like never before. I feel some real trials and tribulations are headed our way, sooner rather than later. There is now a great dividing of God’s people vs. Satan’s — as men and women, young and old make their final, eternal decisions. What side will you be on? Will your faith endure until the end? When Christ returns, will He find you faithful? May we all be prepared. May we all be ready.
Rob Pue
