Entertrapment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-John Moraga

 

       I write this piece as somebody who utilizes technology and social media for ministry and political commentary. So, I am empathetic to how mesmerizing various industries of communication can be i.e. the internet, television, movies, and music. I am also quite aware of how intoxicating their influences can be on the masses. In fact, those of you who are familiar with my bio, you will know that I was intimately involved in the entertainment industry, as a background actor during the 1990’s. I was frequently cast in TV shows such as Baywatch and Boy Meets World, as well as movies such as Mars Attacks! and Black Sheep. Quoting Tarantino movies was a pastime of my youth, and the symphonies of Led Zeppelin composed the soundtrack of my subconscious. However, now, I personally do not own a television set (or even a microwave, but that is because of physical health reasons), and I cannot recall the last movie I saw in the theater (it has been nearly a decade since I stepped foot in a theater). I have tried to be more vigilant about how distracting entertainment media can be, so I have made drastic changes in my life to dedicate more time and attention to the Lord. I should stipulate, even I can “periodically” tumble down the proverbial rabbit hole of internet searching, whether it is by clicking on hyperlinks in the universe of Wikipedia, or by being duped by the algorithms of YouTube.

       The hypnosis of the godless entertainment industry is titanic (pun intended). The reason why what I have coined “entertrapment” is so colossal is because it is so covert. Movies, TV shows, and songs are conduits of creative storytelling, as well as providing an escape from reality. Many movies invest in visual effects, computer generated imaging. Sitcoms facilitate a false sense of happiness with momentary comedy. Song lyrics are poetic overlays to formulated musical compositions, which can manipulate the auditory vibrations of your mind. Another industry that should not be excluded from this article is the sports industry. Admittedly, I am not a very athletic person. I do not know the latest sports statistics, and I would be lost in a conversation about professional athletes’ careers. However, that does not mean that I am not privy to how entrapped sports fanatics can be. I recall visiting a close relative’s church and hearing the pastor briefly mention his fantasy sports selections from the pulpit. He enthusiastically explained his team choices, and I’ll graciously presume that he inadvertently mentioned his conversations with my relative regarding the matter. Understandably, I felt uncomfortable sitting in the pews, as I was witnessing the pastor of a church utilize even a moment of his time to deliver a sermon, in order to tangentially tell the congregation about his proclivity to engage in such a secular vice. My disappointment may be perceived as judgmental by some, but that perception may be a product of conviction.

       There are so many other examples from which I could expound, but my point is that various entertainment media utilize subtle and not so subtle mechanisms to influence how we choose to invest our time and energy. We rationalize that time and energy we waste as innocent entertainment. What’s so wrong with watching a five-minute YouTube clip, binge watching a Netflix series, or spending an afternoon watching the game? Consider I Thessalonians 5:17. Those five minutes, thirty minutes, or countless hours of “entertrapment” could just as easily be spent on our knees praying for improving our personal walk with the Lord, blessings over our families, or the revival of our nation. Prayer without ceasing!

 

       I am not advocating that we conform to the lifestyles of the Amish, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, or even cult members, who are generally prohibited from consuming the entertainment of the “outside world,” and I am definitely not suggesting that we pervert our minds by fully embracing the allurement of entertrapment. However, I encourage every person who sincerely claims to be born-again through the atoning blood of the Messiah to consider the passage of Matthew 16:24, which is reinforced in Mark 8:34, as well as Luke 9:23. If we are committed to seriously living for the Lord and submitting ourselves to His will, we need to make radical changes in our lives, in order to conform to that will.

 

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” - I Peter 5:8