Lesson 53 Explore 2: Is Your Recreation Beneficial?
“Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord.”-
(Ephesians 5.10: Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord;)
1, 2. (a) How does God’s Word indicate that Jehovah wants us to enjoy life? (b) Viewing recreation as a “gift of God” will move us to do what?
THROUGHOUT the Bible, we find statements indicating that Jehovah wants us not only to live but also to enjoy life. For instance,
(Psalm 104.14, 15: He is making grass grow for the cattle And vegetation for mankind’s use, To grow food from the land And wine that makes man’s heart rejoice, Oil that makes the face shine, And bread that sustains the heart of mortal man.)
states that Jehovah is causing “food to go forth from the earth, and wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, to make the face shine with oil, and bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man.” Indeed, Jehovah makes crops grow to yield grain, oil, and wine for our sustenance. But wine also ‘makes the heart rejoice.’ It goes beyond what is strictly necessary to maintain life and adds to our joy.
(Ecclesiastes 9.7: Go, eat your food with rejoicing, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for already the true God has found pleasure in your works.)
(Ecclesiastes 10.19: Bread is made for laughter, and wine makes life enjoyable; but money answers every need.)
Yes, Jehovah wants us to be joyful, our hearts filled with “good cheer.”-
(Acts 14.16, 17: In past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.”)
2. There is, therefore, no reason to feel guilty when we once in a while schedule some time to “observe intently the birds of heaven” and “the lilies of the field” or to enjoy some other activities that refresh us and enrich our life.
(Matthew 6.26: Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?)
(Matthew 6.28: Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin;)
(Psalm 8.3, 4: When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, The moon and the stars that you have prepared, What is mortal man that you keep him in mind, And a son of man that you take care of him?)
A wholesome life is a “gift of God.”
(Ecclesiastes 3.12, 13: I have concluded that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during their life, also that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.)
Viewing leisure time as part of that gift will move us to use it in a way that will bring pleasure to the Giver.
Diversity and Limitations
3. Why is it reasonable to allow for diversity in recreation?
3. Those who have a balanced view of recreation allow for diversity yet also recognize the need for limitations. Why so? To answer, let us compare entertainment with food. Popular dishes differ from one part of the world to another. In fact, what people in one area relish may be unappetizing to people elsewhere. In a similar manner, what Christians in one part of the world view as pleasant recreation may not be appealing to Christians elsewhere. Even among Christians living in the same area, what one may view as relaxing (perhaps curling up with a good book), another may view as boring; what one may view as refreshing (perhaps sightseeing on a bicycle), another may view as exhausting. Still, we accept that in such matters as food and recreation, there is room for diversity and personal preference.-
(Romans 14.2-4: One man has faith to eat everything, but the man who is weak eats only vegetables. Let the one eating not look down on the one not eating, and let the one not eating not judge the one eating, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand.)
4. Why do we need to set limits on the kind of recreation we choose? Illustrate.
4. However, we also realize that allowing for diversity in recreation is not a license to indulge oneself. To illustrate, consider again the example of food. Though we may be willing to eat a variety of foods, we would not deliberately consume food that is rotten. Eating such food would go against common sense and could endanger our health. Similarly, though we may be open to a variety of forms of wholesome entertainment, we would not pursue leisure activities that are life-threatening, violent, or morally rotten. Engaging in such activities would go against Bible principles and would endanger our physical or spiritual health. To make sure that we stay within reasonable limits, we do well to determine in advance whether some recreation that appeals to us is beneficial or not.
(Ephesians 5.10: Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord;)
How can we do so?
5. How can we determine whether our recreation meets God’s standards?
5. For recreation to benefit us and be pleasing in Jehovah’s eyes, it needs to meet specific standards set out in God’s Word.
(Psalm 86.11: Instruct me, O Jehovah, about your way. I will walk in your truth. Unify my heart to fear your name.)
To determine whether that is the case regarding a type of recreation you may like, you might consult a simple checklist. The list is made up of three questions that can be summed up in the words what, when, and who. Let us consider them one at a time.
What Does It Include?
6. What entertainment do we need to reject, and why?
6. Before engaging in a form of entertainment, the first question to ask yourself is, What?-that is, ‘What is the nature of the leisure activity to which I feel attracted?’ As you seek the answer, it is useful to keep in mind that there are basically two categories of entertainment. To the first, we say no; to the second, maybe. What is the first? In this wicked world, much entertainment is characterized by activities that flagrantly violate Bible principles or break God’s laws.
(1 John 5.19: We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.)
True Christians say a resolute no to all such entertainment. This includes entertainment that features sadism, demonism, homosexuality, pornography, or violence or that glorifies other vile, immoral practices.
(1 Corinthians 6.9, 10: Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.)
Read Revelation 21.8: But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.”
No matter where we may be, we prove to Jehovah that we “abhor what is wicked” by refusing to get close to such entertainment.-
(Romans 12.9: Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good.)
(1 John 1.5, 6: This is the message that we heard from him and are announcing to you: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If we make the statement, “We are having fellowship with him,” and yet we go on walking in the darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.)
7, 8. How can we evaluate the quality of a certain form of entertainment? Illustrate.
7. The second category of leisure activity consists of forms of entertainment that do not center on practices that are expressly condemned in God’s Word. In such cases, before choosing the entertainment, we should carefully compare the activity with Jehovah’s view of what is wholesome, as expressed in Bible principles.
(Proverbs 4.10, 11: Listen, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I will instruct you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you in the tracks of uprightness.)
Then we need to make a personal decision that leaves us with a good conscience.
(Galatians 6.5: For each one will carry his own load.)
(1 Timothy 1.19: holding faith and a good conscience, which some have thrust aside, resulting in the shipwreck of their faith.)
How can we do so? Think of this: Before eating a new dish, we would first want to find out what its main ingredients are. Similarly, before engaging in a form of recreation, we need to investigate what its main features are.-
(Ephesians 5.17: On this account stop being unreasonable, but keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.)
8. For instance, you may like sports, and that attraction is easily understood. Sports can be fun and exciting. What, though, if you are attracted to certain sports because of their aggressive competitiveness, excessive risk taking, high rates of injury, riotous celebrations, nationalistic fervor, or similar “ingredients”? After examining what is involved, you would likely decide that it would be hard to harmonize your thinking with Jehovah’s way of thinking and with the message of peace and love that we preach to others.
(Isaiah 61.1: The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, Because Jehovah anointed me to declare good news to the meek. He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And the wide opening of the eyes to the prisoners,)
(Galatians 5.19-21: Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.)
On the other hand, if a certain leisure activity is made up of “ingredients” that are wholesome in Jehovah’s eyes, then such recreation may well be beneficial and refreshing to you.-
(Galatians 5.22, 23: On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.)
Read Philippians 4.8: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.
When Do I Pursue It?
9. What is revealed by our answer to the question, ‘When will I engage in recreation?’
9. The second question to ask yourself is, When?-that is, ‘When will I engage in recreation? How much time will I spend on it?’ Our answer to the question what? reveals much about our inclinations-what we find acceptable and what we find unacceptable. However, the answer to the question when? reflects our priorities-what we find important and what we find unimportant. How, then, can we determine whether the level of importance that we attach to our entertainment is proper?
10, 11. How do Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 6:33 help us in deciding how much time to spend on recreation?
10. Jesus Christ told his followers: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.”
(Mark 12.30: and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’)
Therefore, our love for Jehovah comes first in our life. We demonstrate that this is the case by following Jesus’ admonition: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.”
(Matthew 6.33: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.)
How can that statement help us in determining how much time and importance to assign to recreation?
11. Note this detail: Jesus admonished us to ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom.’ He did not tell us to ‘keep on seeking only the kingdom.’ Obviously, Jesus knew that we would need to seek many things in life in addition to the Kingdom. We need housing, food, clothing, a basic education, employment, recreation, and the list goes on. However, among all the things that we are seeking, only one pursuit comes first-Kingdom interests.
(1 Corinthians 7.29-31: Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who weep as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those who do not possess, and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing.)
That fundamental truth should move us to pursue our secondary activities, including recreation, in such a way that they enable us to carry out our primary activity-caring for Kingdom interests. If we do that, limited recreation can be beneficial.
12. How can the principle found at Luke 14:28 be applied to recreation?
12. So, then, when it comes to spending time on recreation, we do well to count the cost in advance.
(Luke 14.28: For example, who of you wanting to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it?)
We need to determine how much of our time a certain leisure activity will cost. Next, we must decide how much of our time it is worth. If pursuing a form of recreation will mean neglecting such important activities as personal Bible study, family worship, attending Christian meetings, or sharing in Kingdom preaching, it is not worth the price.
(Mark 8.36: Really, what good will it do a man to gain the whole world and to lose his life?)
But if an occasional leisure activity energizes us to keep on pursuing Kingdom interests, we may well decide that the time we spend on that type of recreation is worthwhile.
Who Are My Companions?
13. Why should we carefully consider with whom we share in recreation?
13. The third question to ask yourself is, Who?-that is, ‘Who are the ones I want to share my leisure activities with?’ It is important to consider this aspect of recreation. Why? Because the quality of our recreation is greatly influenced by the quality of our companions. Just as eating a meal is usually more pleasurable when you do so in the company of good friends, engaging in recreation is often more enjoyable when you do so with good companions. Thus, it is understandable that many among us, especially young ones, enjoy recreation that is shared with others. However, to make sure that an activity will be beneficial, it is wise to determine in advance what sort of individuals to choose as companions and what sort to avoid.-
(2 Chronicles 19.2: Jehu the son of Hanani the visionary went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat: “Is it the wicked you should be helping, and is it those who hate Jehovah you should love? Because of this the indignation of Jehovah is against you.)
(James 4.4: Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God.)
Read Proverbs 13.20: The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.
14, 15. (a) What example did Jesus set in choosing the right companions? (b) What questions should we ask ourselves regarding our companions?
14. Following Jesus’ example in choosing companions will be very helpful. From creation onward, Jesus had a love for humans.
(Proverbs 8.31: I rejoiced over his habitable earth, And I was especially fond of the sons of men.)
While on earth, he showed loving consideration for all kinds of people.
(Matthew 15.29-37: Departing from there, Jesus next came near the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, he was sitting there. Then large crowds approached him, bringing along people who were lame, maimed, blind, speechless, and many others, and they laid them at his feet, and he cured them. So the crowd felt amazement as they saw the speechless speaking and the maimed being made sound and the lame walking and the blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said: “I feel pity for the crowd, because they have already stayed with me for three days and they have had nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for they may give out on the road.” However, the disciples said to him: “Where in this isolated place are we going to get enough bread to satisfy a crowd of this size?” At this Jesus said to them: “How many loaves do you have?” They said: “Seven, and a few small fish.” So after instructing the crowd to recline on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after offering thanks, he broke them and began giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were satisfied, and they took up seven large baskets full of leftover fragments.)
However, Jesus drew a line between being friendly and being a close friend. While he was friendly toward people in general, he was a close friend only to those who met specific requirements. Speaking to his 11 faithful apostles, Jesus stated: “You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.” see also )
(John 15.14: You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.)
(John 13.27: After Judas took the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. So Jesus said to him: “What you are doing, do it more quickly.”)
(John 13.30: So after he received the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.)
The only individuals whom Jesus embraced as friends were those who followed him and served Jehovah.
15. Hence, when you consider whether you should choose a certain individual as a close friend or not, it would be wise to keep Jesus’ statement in mind. Ask yourself such questions as: ‘Does this individual demonstrate in words and deeds that he is obeying the commands of Jehovah and Jesus? Does he have the same Bible-based values and morals that I have? Will being in his company encourage me to put the Kingdom first in my life and to be a loyal servant of Jehovah?’ If you are sure that the answers to those questions are yes, you have found a good companion with whom to enjoy your leisure activities.-Read
(Psalm 119.63: I am a friend of all who fear you And of those who keep your orders.)
(2 Corinthians 6.14: Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?)
(2 Timothy 2.22: So flee from youthful desires, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a clean heart.)
Our Recreation—Does It Pass the Test?
16. What do we need to determine regarding our entertainment?
16. We briefly considered three aspects of entertainment-quality, quantity, and company. To be beneficial, our entertainment needs to match closely the Bible-based standard for each of these aspects. Hence, before engaging in a form of recreation, we need to put it to the test. When it comes to quality, we want to know: ‘What does it include? Is it wholesome or debased?’
(Proverbs 4.20-27: My son, pay attention to my words; Listen carefully to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; Keep them deep within your heart, For they are life to those who find them And health to their whole body. Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart, For out of it are the sources of life. Put crooked speech away from you, And keep devious talk far away from you. Your eyes should look straight ahead, Yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you. Smooth out the course of your feet, And all your ways will be sure. Do not incline to the right or the left. Turn your feet away from what is bad.)
Regarding quantity, we want to find out: ‘How much time would I spend on it? Is the amount appropriate or not?’
(1 Timothy 4.8: For physical training is beneficial for a little, but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and the life that is to come.)
And concerning company, we need to determine: ‘With whom will I share in entertainment? Are such companions good or bad?’-
(Ecclesiastes 9.18: Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but just one sinner can destroy much good.)
(1 Corinthians 15.33: Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.)
17, 18. (a) How can we test ourselves to see whether our entertainment meets the Bible’s standards? (b) What are you personally determined to do when it comes to your choice of entertainment?
17. If a form of entertainment fails to meet the Bible-based standards in any one of these three aspects, it does not pass the test. On the other hand, if we make sure that our leisure activities meet the Bible-based standards in all three aspects, our recreation will bring honor to Jehovah and benefits to us.-
(Psalm 119.33-35: Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of your regulations, And I will follow it to the end. Give me understanding, So that I may observe your law And keep it with my whole heart. Guide me in the pathway of your commandments, For in it I take delight.)
18. So, then, when it comes to recreation, let us strive to do the right thing at the right time and with the right people. Yes, may it be the heartfelt desire of each one of us to follow the Bible’s advice: “Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.”-
(1 Corinthians 10.31: Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.)
Can You Explain?
Regarding recreation, how can you apply the principles found at...
•?
(Philippians 4.8: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.)
•?
(Matthew 6.33: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.)
•?
(Proverbs 13.20: The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.)
[End of article.]