Redeeming PleasureSample

"What is Beneficial?"

If we apply Paul’s logic to the way we interact with entertainment, we have another principle with which to navigate. As relativistic as it sounds, some entertainment might be beneficial for me and not for you. And what is fine for you might not be beneficial for me. Whereas the first question of what is true should be ultimately agreed upon, the second question of what is beneficial must be contextualized for each of us.

As we see in other areas like sexuality, what brings each person pleasure can vary. When it comes to entertainment, that can be the case as well, often dramatically. Instead of looking to the crowd, we must spend the time to determine for ourselves whether the things our friends enjoy have the same effect on us. They may be true, but are they beneficial? Not just beneficial to those around you, but beneficial to you? This is the part most people miss. We automatically assume if it’s beneficial for someone, it must automatically be beneficial for me. But that is often not the case.

Finding pleasure in entertainment takes maturity for each person to conclude between them and God. Some movies, or music, or other form of entertainment might have negative effects on you. Seek out that which is beneficial in your life and allows those around you to do the same.