Dare to be Different

The society in which we live is continually pressuring us to adapt to the world’s norms. Just a trip to the mall confirms this and can also prove to be quite an adventure. The latest fashions, including all of the outlandish hairdos, tend to scream, “Would someone please notice me?” At first glance, they indeed startle us, and may even frighten our toddlers. However, as a few, short months pass, not only has the strange style become accepted, but also is actually considered commonplace.
Although we lightheartedly recognize our desensitization regarding fashion, we must never forget that the Lord called us to be “steadfast, unmovable” in our manner of living (I Corinthians 15:58). In other words, He expects His children to refuse to succumb to society’s variable standards, even when facing ridicule and being labeled “different.”
The television industry of Hollywood has slowly desensitized our homes with a variety of abhorrent and deviant behaviors. American morality has rapidly declined. From the innocence of “Lassie” to the shocking new concept of “Reality TV,” the slow progression of violence and perversion has swiftly crumbled our family values.
An average family with a television will view more than four hours a day. Nudity, profanity, homosexuality, murder, etc… are displayed for family consumption.


Televisions Statistics

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than four hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop TV-watching per year).
In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.
99% of households own at least 1 TV set.
Number of hours per day the TV is on in the average home: 6 hours 47 minutes
66% of households watch TV while they are eating dinner.
There are 6 million videos rented daily in the US compared to 3 million items
checked out of the public library daily.
3.5 is the number of minutes a child spends in meaningful conversation with
their parents per week.
1680 is the number of minutes the average child watches TV per week.
The average American youth spends 900 hours annually in school and watches
TV 1500 hours annually.
Number of murders seen on TV by the time an average child finishes elementary school: 8,000.
Number of violent acts seen on TV by age 18: 200,000.
Percentage of Americans who can name The Three Stooges: 59 .
Percentage who can name at least three justices of the US Supreme Court: 17.
(Compiled by TV-Free America)

Society, in general, many times considers individuals of the Apostolic Movement as being much too zealous. Nevertheless, they may not understand the gross darkness and chains of sin (drugs, pornography, alcohol, gambling, lying, stealing…) from which the Lord rescued these Christians. When Jesus delivers a man from such a miserable existence, the appetite for worldly lifestyles loses not only its attraction but also its power over the individual. Miraculously, the delivered man, once powerless to overcome sin, is now free and consumed with, “How can I please the Lord?” II Timothy 2:4 tells us, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Dare to be different; remove the influences that negatively affect our families. In an age of compromised values and morality, allow your home to be free of the demonic influences of Hollywood. The Bible teaches in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Dare to be different. Join us for worship at Truthway Church where we are,” Absolutely Apostolic…Passionately Pentecostal!”