watch play listen-how does it look to others?

I spent a couple of posts looking at how to make choices as a Jesus-follower about what we watch,

play, or listen to.  There's another point that I think is worth mentioning and it is really essential to the section in Paul's letter to the Romans that I quoted in this post.

While the Father does lead each of us very individually on things like this, we have to keep in mind the needs of others.  Here's a very basic modern day example for older people.  Let's say you have no problem drinking alcohol (after you're 21).  You drink responsibly and simply enjoy it.  It only makes sense, then, when your friend, who once had a drinking problem but is now sober, comes over not to offer him a beer. 

Jesus gave us a "new commandment" and it was simply: "love one another."  In the situation above you are loving your friend by being sensitive to his weakness.  So, you restrict your freedom for his sake. 

This is essentially why I don't swear around people.  I don't personally feel that swearing in and of itself is sinful, but I know it would only hurt the people around me.  Plus, if I did swear around others they would immediately question the validity of my spiritual life.  They would be wrong to do so, but that doesn't change the fact that they would.

So, you may have freedom in some areas when it comes to video games, music, or movies, but ask the Spirit to give you sensitivity toward others.  If you have a friend over and you want to watch a horror flick, ask yourself (or ideally ask them), "Is this a good idea?"  Or just give them an option.

The same can go for video games.  Maybe you want to play one that's pretty bloody.  Offer your friend, "Wanna play this one (a violent one) or this one (a non-violent one)?"  Then they can choose with out feeling funny if they're uncomfortable saying that they don't really like violent ones.

The key in all this is love.  Don't judge the convictions one person has, but also don't feel like you have to have the same one.  Follow the Spirit and trust that you know his voice (John 10).  God promises to communicate with us, though we have to learn how to recognize it.