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RecreationQuestions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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SECTION 8
Recreation
How often do you enjoy some form of recreation, such as sports, music, movies, TV, or electronic games?
□ Rarely
□ Once a day
□ Several times a day
Who or what has the most influence on your choice of recreation?
□ Your peers
□ Your parent(s)
□ Advertising
You and your peers likely have more options for recreation than any other generation in history. But you have only a limited number of hours in a day. And the type of recreation you choose can affect your thinking and attitudes. So, what’s a reasonable amount of time to devote to recreation? And how can you figure out what type to choose? Chapters 30-33 will help you to take a serious look at how you have fun.
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Should I Play Electronic Games?Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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CHAPTER 30
Should I Play Electronic Games?
“COMPUTER games are exciting and cool,” says a boy named Brian. “You get to do things in the game that you would never actually do in real life—not without getting into serious trouble, that is.” Deborah says that she too enjoys playing computer games. However, she adds a word of caution: “They can be very time-consuming, almost addictive.”
Without a doubt, electronic games are more than just high-tech entertainment. Sure, they challenge your skill and help keep boredom at bay. But they do more. Electronic games can sharpen your reflexes. Some of them may even enhance your math and reading skills. Besides, the latest electronic game is likely to be the basis for school-yard conversation. If you’ve played the game, you have something to talk about with your peers.
Certainly, if you choose carefully, you should be able to find a game that is both exciting and acceptable. Why, though, do you need to be cautious?
Their Dark Side
Unfortunately, not all electronic games are harmless fun. A lot of today’s entertainment software enthusiastically promotes what the Bible calls “works of the flesh”—unclean practices that God condemns.—Galatians 5:19-21.
Adrian, 18, describes one best-selling game as featuring “gang wars, drug use, explicit sexual content, foul language, intense violence, blood, and gore.” Some games glorify occult practices. And each new release seems to make previous games look tame in comparison. Many of these violent games can be played live on the Internet. That ability takes gaming to a whole new level. “From your home computer,” says 19-year-old James, “you can challenge people who live on the other side of the world.”
Internet role-playing games have become hugely popular. In these, participants create online characters—whether human, animal, or a blend of both—that inhabit a computer-generated world populated by thousands of other players. This online world contains shops, cars, homes, dance clubs, brothels—in many ways, it is a replica of the real world. The players in these games are able to instant message each other as their computer-generated characters, called avatars, interact.
Mafia men, pimps, prostitutes, extortionists, counterfeiters, and assassins are just a few of the sordid characters that inhabit these online worlds. Players can indulge in activities they would never carry out in real life. Just by pressing a few buttons, avatars can engage in sex while the real-world participants talk about sex via instant messaging. Some games enable players’ avatars to have sex with avatars that resemble children. Critics are understandably concerned that people would make a game out of such perverse acts.
Why Your Choice Matters
Those who play these violent or sexually graphic games may say: “No harm done. It’s not real. It’s just a game.” But don’t be fooled by such false reasoning!
The Bible says: “Even by his practices a boy makes himself recognized as to whether his activity is pure and upright.” (Proverbs 20:11) If you play violent, immoral games, could you be described as being pure and upright? Studies repeatedly show that watching violent entertainment increases aggression in those who view it. In fact, some experts say that because of the interactive nature of electronic games, they can have a stronger effect than TV.
Choosing to play violent or immoral electronic games is like choosing to play with radioactive waste—the damaging effects may not be immediately obvious, but they’re inevitable. In what way? Exposure to high doses of radiation can destroy the lining of the stomach and allow bacteria from the intestines to invade the bloodstream, resulting in sickness. Similarly, exposure to high doses of graphic sex and hideous violence can damage your “moral sense” and allow fleshly desires to invade and dominate your thinking and actions.—Ephesians 4:19; Galatians 6:7, 8.
What Game Should I Choose?
If your parents allow you to play electronic games, how can you know which to choose and how much time to devote to them? Ask yourself the following questions:
How will my choice affect the way Jehovah feels about me? “Jehovah himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one, and anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates,” states Psalm 11:5. Regarding those who engage in occult practices, God’s Word says: “Everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) If you want to be a friend of God, you need to follow the advice recorded at Psalm 97:10: “Hate what is bad.”
How will the game affect my thinking? Ask yourself, ‘Will playing this game make it easier or harder for me to “flee from fornication”?’ (1 Corinthians 6:18) Games that expose you to sexually arousing images or conversations won’t help you to keep your mind on things that are righteous, chaste, and virtuous.—Philippians 4:8.
How much time will I spend playing the game? Even the most innocent of games can consume a lot of time. So keep a log of how much time you spend gaming. Is it crowding out time you need for more important activities? Keeping track of where your time is going will help you get your priorities straight.—Ephesians 5:16.
Of course, the Bible doesn’t require that you spend your whole life studying or doing chores. On the contrary, it reminds all of us that there is “a time to laugh . . . and a time to skip about.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) It’s worth noting, though, that the expression “to skip about” implies not only play but also physical activity. So why not use some of your free time to play games that involve physical activity instead of limiting yourself to sitting in front of a video screen?
Choose Wisely
Without a doubt, playing electronic games can be fun, especially if you get good at it. And herein lies the very reason for you to choose your games wisely. Ask yourself, ‘What subjects do I do best in at school?’ Aren’t they usually the ones that you enjoy? In fact, it often follows that the more you enjoy a subject, the greater the impression it makes on you. Now ask yourself: ‘What game do I enjoy the most? What moral lessons is this game teaching me?’
Rather than playing a game just because your peers enjoy it, have the strength to make your own informed choice. Most important of all, apply the Bible’s advice: “Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.”—Ephesians 5:10.
You love music, and that’s normal. But are you a slave to it?
KEY SCRIPTURE
“You lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad.”—Psalm 97:10.
TIP
Write a brief review of each of the games you want to play, outlining the goal of the game and the methods used to achieve that goal. Compare your review with the Bible principles mentioned in this chapter, and then determine if the game is suitable.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
The world’s first rehabilitation clinic caring exclusively for addicts of online games was opened in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2006.
ACTION PLAN!
If a friend asks me to play a violent or immoral electronic game, I will say ․․․․․
I will limit my time playing electronic games to ․․․․․ a week, and I can keep to this limit if I ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● What effect can electronic games have on a person’s thinking and emotions?
● Why is it important to consider Jehovah’s moral standards when choosing a game?
● How would you help a younger sibling who is hooked on playing a game that you know is bad?
[Blurb on page 249]
“Many games desensitize you to things like violence, foul language, and immorality and can cause you to let down your guard in other aspects of life. You have to be very careful what you choose to play.”—Amy
[Picture on page 250]
Playing violent or immoral games is like playing with radioactive waste—the effects may not be immediately obvious, but they’re inevitable
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How Can I Keep Music in Its Place?Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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CHAPTER 31
How Can I Keep Music in Its Place?
How important is music to you?
□ I can live without it.
□ I would die without it.
When do you listen to music?
□ When traveling
□ When studying
□ All the time
What is your favorite style of music, and why? ․․․․․
THE capacity to enjoy melody and harmony appears to be programmed into all of us. And for many youths, music is a must-have. “I can’t live without it,” says 21-year-old Amber. “My music is almost always playing—even when I’m cleaning, cooking, running errands, or studying.”
Rhythm may be based on simple math, but music transcends cold logic and taps straight into our core emotions. Just as “a word at its right time is O how good!” a song at the right time can be so consoling! (Proverbs 15:23) “Sometimes you think that no one else understands your feelings,” says 16-year-old Jessica. “But when I listen to my favorite band, I know I’m not the only one who gets depressed.”
Battleground or Common Ground?
While you no doubt love your music, your parents may have a different viewpoint. “My dad says, ‘Turn off that noise! It’s hurting my ears!’” comments one teenage boy. Tired of the hassle, you may feel that your parents are making a big deal out of nothing. “What about when they were young?” argues one teenage girl. “Didn’t their parents think their music was bad?” Ingred, 16, complains: “Adults seem to be stuck in the past. It would be great if they recognized that our generation has some taste in music too!”
Ingred has a point. As you may know, throughout history, older and younger generations have tended to clash over matters of personal taste. But such differences don’t mean that the subject of music must always become a battleground. The key is to see if you can find some common ground with your parents. If your parents respect the Bible, you have a real advantage. Why? Because God’s Word can help both you and your parents to discern what is definitely unacceptable and where there is room for personal taste. To do this, you need to analyze two key factors: (1) the message of the music you listen to and (2) the amount of music you listen to. First, let’s consider the question . . .
What Is the Message of My Music?
Music is like food. The right type in the right amount is good for you. The wrong type in any amount is bad. Unfortunately, with music it’s the bad stuff that can be the most appealing. “Why do all the good tunes get saved for the really ugly lyrics?” laments a youth named Steve.
If you love the sound, does the message really matter? To help answer that question, ask yourself: ‘If someone wanted to make me swallow poison, how would they coax me into taking it? Would they dip it in vinegar or coat it with candy?’ The faithful man Job asked: “Does not the ear itself test out words as the palate tastes food?” (Job 12:11) So rather than just swallowing a song because you like its beat or melody—the candy coating, so to speak—‘test out the words’ by considering the title and the lyrics. Why? Because the lyrics embedded in the music will affect your thinking and attitudes.
Regrettably, a great deal of today’s most innovative music features lyrics that promote sex, violence, and drug abuse. If you don’t feel that listening to such lyrics affects you, then you’ve already started to succumb to the “poison.”
Think for Yourself
Your peers may put tremendous pressure on you to listen to degrading music. There’s also pressure from the music industry itself. With the help of radio, the Internet, and television, music has become a powerful, multibillion-dollar industry. High-powered marketing experts are hired to shape and control your taste in music.
But when you let your peers or the media dictate what you listen to, you lose your power of choice. You become a mindless slave. (Romans 6:16) The Bible urges you to resist the world’s influence in such matters. (Romans 12:2) So you would do well to train your own “perceptive powers . . . to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14) How can you use your perceptive powers when choosing music? Consider the following suggestions:
Examine the packaging. Often, one look at the packaging or promotional material is enough to determine the content. Violent, sexually explicit, or occult images should be a warning. The music inside is probably objectionable too.
Check out the lyrics. What is being said? Do you really want to listen to or repeat those ideas over and over again? Are the thoughts expressed in harmony with your values and with Christian principles?—Ephesians 5:3-5.
Notice the effect. “I found that a lot of the music and lyrics I listened to made me depressed,” says a youth named Philip. Granted, music may affect people in different ways. But what mood does your music nurture in you? Ask yourself: ‘Do I find myself dwelling on wrong thoughts after hearing the music or the lyrics? Are slang expressions that are used in the music starting to creep into my vocabulary?’—1 Corinthians 15:33.
Consider others. How do your parents feel about your music? Ask them for their opinion. Think, too, of how fellow Christians might feel. Would some be disturbed by your music? The ability to modify your behavior out of respect for the feelings of others is a sign of maturity.—Romans 15:1, 2.
By asking yourself the above questions, you will be in a position to choose music that stirs your spirit without killing your spirituality. But there’s one more factor to consider.
How Much Is Too Much?
Good music, like good food, can be healthful. However, a wise proverb warns: “Is it honey that you have found? Eat what is sufficient for you, that you may not take too much of it and have to vomit it up.” (Proverbs 25:16) Honey has well-known curative properties. Yet, too much of even a good thing can be bad for you. The point? Good things should be enjoyed in moderation.
Some youths, however, allow music to dominate their lives. For example, Jessica, quoted earlier, confesses: “I listen to music all the time—even when I’m studying the Bible. I tell my parents that it helps me to concentrate. But they don’t believe me.” Does Jessica’s comment sound familiar?
How can you determine how much music is too much? Ask yourself the following questions:
How much time do I spend listening to music each day? ․․․․․
How much money do I spend on music each month? ․․․․․
Is my music interfering with my family relationships? If so, write below how you might improve the situation. ․․․․․
Modifying Your Listening Habits
If music is taking too much of a bite out of your personal life, you would do well to set limits and be more moderate in your listening habits. For example, you may need to break the habit of plugging your ears with headphones all day long or turning music on the minute you get home.
In fact, why not learn to savor some periods of silence? Doing so may help you with your studies. “You’ll get a whole lot more out of them if the music is off,” says Steve, quoted earlier. Try studying without music, and see if your concentration improves.
You will also want to schedule time for reading and studying the Bible and Bible-based publications. Jesus Christ at times sought out a quiet place for prayer and meditation. (Mark 1:35) Is your study environment similarly quiet and peaceful? If not, you may be stunting your spiritual growth.
Make the Right Choice
Music is truly a gift from God, but you must take care not to misuse it. Don’t be like the girl named Marlene who admits: “I have music that I know I’m supposed to throw out. But it sounds so good.” Think of the harm that she is doing to her mind and heart by listening to what is bad! Avoid that snare. Don’t let music corrupt you or take over your life. Hold to high Christian standards in choosing your music. Pray for God’s guidance and help. Seek out companions who share your convictions.
Music can help you relax and unwind. It can help fill the void when you’re lonely. But when the music stops, your problems are still there. And songs are no substitute for real friends. So don’t allow music to become the big thing in your life. Enjoy it, but keep it in its place.
You need to relax once in a while. How can Bible principles help you to make the most of the good times?
KEY SCRIPTURE
“Does not the ear itself test out words as the palate tastes food?”—Job 12:11.
TIP
If you want your parents to understand why you like a certain song or band, take the initiative to try to develop an appreciation for some of the music they enjoy.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
If you’re reluctant to let your parents hear your favorite tunes, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your taste in music.
ACTION PLAN!
I can control my music if I ․․․․․
If my peers pressure me to listen to unacceptable music, I will say ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why is your choice of music so important?
● How can you determine if a song is acceptable or not?
● What can you do to broaden your taste in music?
[Blurb on page 259]
“I sometimes catch myself listening to a song that I know isn’t good for me. I turn it off immediately. If I don’t, I find that I start to justify listening to it.”—Cameron
[Box/Pictures on page 258]
Broaden Your Taste in Music
Do you like more types of food now than you did when you were five years old? If so, that’s because you have acquired a taste for new flavors. It’s similar with music. Don’t limit yourself to just one style. Try expanding your taste in music.
One way to do so is to learn to play an instrument. Not only can this be challenging and satisfying but it may expose you to other forms of music besides the usual commercial fodder. Where might you find the time to learn? You could buy out time from watching TV or playing electronic games. Note what these youths say.
“Playing an instrument is a lot of fun and can be a great way to express your feelings. Learning to play new songs has taught me to like a broad range of musical styles.”—Brian, 18, plays guitar, drums, and piano.
“You need to practice if you want to learn to play an instrument well. And practice isn’t always fun. But mastering a piece of music gives you a good feeling, a sense of accomplishment.”—Jade, 13, plays the viola.
“When I’m having a hard day or I’m feeling down, playing my guitar really helps me to relax. It feels so good to create music that is pleasurable and soothing.”—Vanessa, 20, plays guitar, piano, and clarinet.
“I used to think, ‘I’ll never be as good as this person or that person.’ But I stuck with my lessons, and now I feel real satisfaction when I play a piece of music well. I also have an increased appreciation for the skill of other musicians.”—Jacob, 20, plays guitar.
[Picture on page 255]
Music is like food. The right type in the right amount is good for you. The wrong type in any amount is bad
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Role Model—DavidQuestions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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Role Model—David
David loves music. He’s a gifted musician and a talented songwriter. He even makes his own instruments. (2 Chronicles 7:6) David is so skilled that the king of Israel summons him to perform in the royal court. (1 Samuel 16:15-23) David accepts. But he doesn’t become conceited, nor does he allow music to dominate his life. Rather, he uses his talents to praise Jehovah.
Do you love music? You may not be a talented musician, but you can still imitate David’s example. How? By not letting music dominate your life or induce you to think and act in ways that dishonor God. Instead, use music to enhance your enjoyment of life. The ability to create and enjoy music is a gift from God. (James 1:17) David used this gift in ways that pleased Jehovah. Will you do the same?
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How Can I Have a Good Time?Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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CHAPTER 32
How Can I Have a Good Time?
Mark the following statements true or false.
According to the Bible . . .
It’s always wrong to take part in sports.
□ True □ False
All movies and TV shows are a bad influence.
□ True □ False
Any sort of dancing is condemned.
□ True □ False
YOU’VE worked hard all week. School is over. Your chores are completed. And you still have some energy to burn, one of the blessings of being young. (Proverbs 20:29) Now all you want to do is have some fun.
Your peers may feel that the Bible is anti-fun, that it restricts you from enjoying yourself. But is that true? Let’s consider the true-or-false statements listed on the preceding page and see what the Bible really says about having a good time.
● It’s always wrong to take part in sports.
False. The Bible says that “bodily training is beneficial.” (1 Timothy 4:8) The original Greek expression for “training” that Paul used here means ‘training as a gymnast’ and carries the idea of exercise. Today there are numerous sports—such as skating, cycling, jogging, tennis, baseball, soccer, and volleyball, to name just a few—that can be both good exercise and fun.
Does this mean that there’s no need for caution? Well, consider the context of the verse quoted above. When writing to the young man Timothy, the apostle Paul said: “Bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.” Paul’s words remind us that our first priority should always be to please God. You can ensure that godly devotion is your top priority—even when choosing a sport—by asking yourself the following three questions:
1. What degree of risk is involved in the sport? Don’t simply rely on hearsay or on the enthusiastic reports of other youths. Get the facts. For example, find out the following: Just what is the accident rate for this particular sport? What safety precautions are taken? What training and equipment are needed to play this sport safely? While there are incidental risks in virtually any activity, is the primary objective of this sport to defy injury or death?
Life is a gift from God, and God’s Law given to the Israelites imposed serious penalties if a life was taken accidentally. (Exodus 21:29; Numbers 35:22-25) God’s people were thereby encouraged to be safety conscious. (Deuteronomy 22:8) Christians today likewise have an obligation to show respect for life.
2. Will the sport provide good association? If you have some athletic ability, your peers and teachers might exert pressure on you to join a school team. You may feel a strong urge to accept the offer. A Christian youth named Mark says, “I feel it’s just not fair that my parents won’t let me join the school team.” But instead of attempting to coax your parents into accepting your viewpoint, consider the following facts: Practice sessions and games are usually scheduled outside of normal school hours. If you do well, you’ll be encouraged to devote more time to the sport. If you don’t do so well, you’ll feel pressure to spend more time in practice. In addition, teammates often form close bonds of friendship as they revel in the highs of victory and share the despair of defeat.
Now ask yourself: ‘Will spending my personal time in an activity that could result in close bonds of friendship with youths who don’t share my spiritual standards be a good influence on me?’ (1 Corinthians 15:33) ‘What price am I willing to pay just to play on a particular team?’
3. How much time and money will the sport consume? The Bible instructs us to “make sure of the more important things.” (Philippians 1:10) To help you apply this advice, ask yourself: ‘Will playing this sport eat into time that I’ve allocated for schoolwork or spiritual activities? What is the total monetary cost of the sport? Does my budget allow for this expense?’ Answering these questions will help you to keep your priorities in order.
● All movies and TV shows are a bad influence.
False. The Bible commands Christians to “hold fast to what is fine” and to “abstain from every form of wickedness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22) Not all movies and TV shows conflict with that standard.a
Certainly, going to a movie can be a fun way to spend time with friends. A South African girl named Leigh says, “If I’m keen on seeing a certain movie, I phone one of my friends, and we spread the word to our other friends.” Usually this group attends an early showing of the movie. Afterward, their parents pick them up, and together all of them eat out.
Movies and TV may be modern inventions, but they’re really just new expressions of an ancient tradition—that of storytelling. Jesus was a master at reaching peoples’ hearts by means of stories. For example, his parable about the neighborly Samaritan stirs feelings of empathy and teaches profound moral lessons.—Luke 10:29-37.
Today moviemakers also teach lessons that mold people’s moral perceptions. They try to make viewers identify with the characters portrayed—even when the hero is a criminal or a sadistic, power-hungry person. If you aren’t careful, you may find yourself rooting for a criminal, mentally justifying his immoral or cruel acts! How can you avoid this trap?
When choosing a movie or a TV show, ask yourself: ‘Will this program encourage me to be tenderly compassionate?’ (Ephesians 4:32) ‘Or will it coax me into rejoicing over another’s disaster?’ (Proverbs 17:5) ‘Will it make it difficult for me to “hate what is bad”?’ (Psalm 97:10) ‘Will I, in effect, be aligning myself with “evildoers”?’—Psalm 26:4, 5.
Movie reviews and advertisements can give you some idea of the content of a movie. But don’t naively put “faith in every word.” (Proverbs 14:15) Why not? A movie review merely reflects another person’s opinion. And an advertisement may deliberately conceal the fact that a movie has offensive scenes. A teenager named Connie says, “I’ve found that knowing who the principal actors are in the movie often gives you some idea of what the movie is likely to portray.”
Christian peers who share your Bible-based values may know if a certain film is acceptable. But remember, people tend to tell you what they really enjoyed about a movie. Why not ask what’s bad about it? Be specific. For example, inquire as to whether there are scenes of violence, sex, or demon possession. Your parents are also a good source of advice. Says young Vanessa: “I consult my parents. If they think it’s all right for me to watch, I’ll go see it.”
Don’t take the matter of choosing a movie or a TV program lightly. Why? Because the entertainment you select opens a window to your heart, revealing what values you treasure. (Luke 6:45) Your choices tell much about the kind of association you delight in, the type of language you condone, the sexual morals you tolerate. So be selective!
● Any sort of dancing is condemned.
False. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and escaped the Egyptian army, Miriam led the women in a celebratory dance. (Exodus 15:20) Also, in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, the rejoicing that occurred over the son’s return included “a music concert and dancing.”—Luke 15:25.
The same is true today. In many cultures dancing is enjoyed by both young and old when family and friends gather together. However, there’s a need for caution. While the Bible doesn’t condemn modest social gatherings, it does warn against “revelries,” or “wild parties.” (Galatians 5:19-21; Byington) The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Woe to those who are getting up early in the morning that they may seek just intoxicating liquor, who are lingering till late in the evening darkness so that wine itself inflames them! And there must prove to be harp and stringed instrument, tambourine and flute, and wine at their feasts; but the activity of Jehovah they do not look at.”—Isaiah 5:11, 12.
Those gatherings featured the use of “intoxicating liquor” and wild music. They started early and lasted well into the evening. Note, too, the attitudes of the revelers—they behaved as if God did not exist! Little wonder, then, that God condemned such gatherings.
If you’re invited to attend a party where there will be dancing, ask yourself such questions as: ‘Who will be going? What kind of reputation do they have? Who is taking responsibility for the event? What supervision will there be? Do my parents approve of my attending the party? What type of dancing will be featured?’ Many dance styles are designed solely to arouse sexual desire. Would engaging in or just watching such dancing help you to “flee from fornication”?—1 Corinthians 6:18.
What if you’re invited to go dancing at a nightclub? Consider the comments of a youth named Shawn who before becoming a Christian would often hang out at dance clubs. He recalls: “The music is usually debasing, the dancing is usually highly immoral, and a great majority of the people who go there have a motive.” That motive, says Shawn, is to leave the club with someone to have sex. After studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Shawn had a change of heart. His opinion? “Those clubs are not the place for Christians.”
Why Stay Alert?
When do you think a soldier is more vulnerable to an attack—when he’s on the battlefield or when he’s relaxing with his companions? Really, it’s when he’s relaxing that his defenses are down and he’s most vulnerable. Similarly, when you’re at school or at work, your spiritual defenses are up. You’re alert to possible danger. It’s later when you relax with your friends that you’re most vulnerable to an attack on your moral standards.
Some of your peers may ridicule you for sticking to the Bible’s high moral standards when it comes to having a good time. Pressure may even come from youths who have been raised by Christian parents. But such youths have had their consciences seared. (1 Timothy 4:2) They may accuse you of being unbalanced or self-righteous. Rather than give in to peer pressure, however, “hold a good conscience.”—1 Peter 3:16.
What really counts isn’t what your peers think of you but what Jehovah thinks of you! And if your friends hassle you for following your conscience, it’s time to find some new friends. (Proverbs 13:20) Remember, you are the ultimate guardian of your moral standards—even when you’re having a good time.—Proverbs 4:23.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 37
Pornography is more prevalent and easier to access than ever. How can you avoid this snare?
[Footnote]
a For more information, see Volume 1, chapter 36.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“Rejoice, young man, in your youth, . . . and walk in the ways of your heart and in the things seen by your eyes. But know that on account of all these the true God will bring you into judgment.”—Ecclesiastes 11:9.
TIP
Ask your parents if they would be willing to schedule regular times each month when you can turn off the TV and have fun together as a family.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
Dancing and music were an important part of true worship for the Israelites.—Psalm 150:4.
ACTION PLAN!
If I’m invited to join an after-school sports team, I will say ․․․․․
If a movie that I’m watching with my friends is objectionable, I will ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why should Christians avoid high-risk sports?
● How can you determine if a movie is suitable?
● How would you define what is an acceptable style of dancing?
[Blurb on page 269]
“I love to dance, but I’ve learned the value of listening to my parents’ advice. I don’t let dancing become the big thing in my life.”—Tina
[Picture on page 268]
A soldier is vulnerable to an attack when his guard is down—and you are vulnerable to an attack on your morals when you’re relaxing
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Why Avoid Pornography?Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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CHAPTER 33
Why Avoid Pornography?
How frequently do you come across pornography by accident?
□ Never
□ Rarely
□ Regularly
Where does this most often occur?
□ Internet
□ School
□ TV
□ Other
How do you respond?
□ I turn away immediately.
□ Curiosity causes me to look at it briefly.
□ I stare at it and even search out more.
WHEN your parents were your age, people who wanted to view pornography had to search for it. Today, it seems, pornography searches for you. Says one 19-year-old girl, “Sometimes I’m browsing or shopping on the Internet or even just checking bank statements online when wham—pornography pops up!” This is hardly unusual. In one survey, 90 percent of youths between the ages of 8 and 16 said that they had unintentionally encountered pornography online—in most cases, while doing homework!
In view of its prevalence, you might wonder, ‘Is pornography really all that bad?’ The answer is yes! Pornography demeans both those who take part in it and those who look at it, and it’s often a stepping-stone to committing sexual sins. But there’s more.
Viewing pornography can become a habit with long-lasting, devastating effects. For example, consider a man named Jeff who even after 14 years of being free of pornography admitted: “It’s a daily battle. The desire, although much more subdued, is still there. The curiosity is still there. The images are still there. I wish I’d never started down this hideous path. It seemed so harmless at first. But now I know better. Pornography is damaging, it is perverse, and it is demeaning to all parties concerned. Despite what its proponents may claim, there is nothing—absolutely nothing—positive about pornography.”
Evaluating the Situation
How can you avoid even unintentionally stumbling across pornography? First, analyze the situation. Is there a pattern to your encounters? Consider the following examples:
Are some of your schoolmates likely to send pornography via e-mail or cell phone? If so, it would be wise to delete their messages without opening them.
When you’re online, do pop-ups occur when you enter certain words in a search engine? Knowing that this is possible could help you to be more specific and careful in your use of keywords.
Below, list any circumstances that have led to your encountering pornography.
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Is there anything you can do to reduce or eliminate those accidental encounters? If so, write below what you plan to do.
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If You’re Already Hooked
It’s one thing to stumble across pornography by accident but quite another to look at it intentionally. What if it’s even becoming a habit? Make no mistake—breaking such a habit isn’t easy. To illustrate: Suppose your hands were tied together with a single cotton thread. You could probably break the thread by simply pulling your hands apart. But what if it were wrapped around your hands many times? Breaking free would be much more difficult. The same is true of people who habitually view pornography. The more they look at it, the more ensnared they become. If this has happened to you, how can you break free?
Understand pornography for what it is. Pornography is nothing less than a satanic attempt to degrade something that Jehovah created to be honorable. Understanding pornography in this light will help you to “hate what is bad.”—Psalm 97:10.
Consider the consequences. Pornography destroys marriages. It devalues those depicted in it. It debases the person who views it. For good reason, the Bible says: “Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself.” (Proverbs 22:3) Write below one example of a calamity that could befall you if you were to view pornography habitually.
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Make a commitment. “I have made a solemn promise never to look with lust at a girl,” said the faithful man Job. (Job 31:1, Today’s English Version) The following are some ‘solemn promises’ you could make:
I will not use the Internet when I am alone in the room.
I will immediately exit any pop-up or site that is explicit.
I will talk to a mature friend if I have a relapse.
Can you think of one or two other resolves that could help you in the battle against pornography? If so, list them here.
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Pray about the matter. The psalmist implored Jehovah: “Make my eyes pass on from seeing what is worthless.” (Psalm 119:37) Jehovah God wants you to succeed, and he can give you the strength to do what is right!—Philippians 4:13.
Talk to someone. Choosing a confidant is often an important step in breaking the habit. (Proverbs 17:17) Write below the name of a mature person whom you would feel comfortable approaching about the matter.
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Be assured that you can succeed in your fight to steer clear of pornography. In fact, each time you avoid it, you have won a significant victory. Tell Jehovah about that victory, and thank him for the strength he has given you. Always remember that by avoiding the plague of pornography, you make Jehovah’s heart rejoice!—Proverbs 27:11.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“Deaden, therefore, your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”—Colossians 3:5.
TIP
Make sure that your computer is set to block access to pornographic sites. Also, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited e-mails.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
An obsession with pornography mimics the inordinate sexual fixation of the wicked spirits in Noah’s day.—Genesis 6:2.
ACTION PLAN!
To shield myself from exposure to pornography, I will ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● How does pornography degrade something that is honorable?
● How would you help a sibling who has a problem with pornography?
[Blurb on page 278]
“Before studying the Bible, I had experimented heavily with nearly every major drug. But of all my addictions, pornography was by far the most difficult to break. It’s only with Jehovah’s help that I’ve been able to deal with this problem.”—Jeff
[Picture on page 276]
Pornography has a cumulative effect—the more times you view it, the harder it is to break free
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My Journal—RecreationQuestions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 2
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SECTION 8
My Journal—Recreation
Describe the type of recreation you enjoy most and why you like it so much.
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Imagine that you had to explain to a younger brother or sister why it’s important to keep recreation in its proper place. What would you say?
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