Addicted to Entertainment: Glorifying God In An Age of Endless Amusement
If one word could describe our current cultural climate, it might be addiction—specifically, addiction to entertainment. From the ever-present pull of videos, music, and movies to the constant barrage of new technologies designed to keep us glued to our screens, we are living in what could rightly be called the age of constant consumption.
Boredom, once a natural part of daily life, has all but vanished—replaced by an endless stream of visual and audio stimuli that rarely allow our minds a moment of rest. The phenomenon of "doomscrolling"—mindlessly flipping from one video to the next in search of something interesting—ironically leaves many feeling more anxious, irritable, or even despairing. With artificial intelligence now tailoring content to our specific interests, the pull is stronger than ever. As a content creator myself, I see this dynamic play out from both sides of the screen.
This brings us to an essential question: Is there a moral dimension to entertainment? Most Christians would agree that there is—but how far does that go? Is all entertainment inherently evil? Are we compromising our call to holiness when we seek out amusement? Should Christians ever engage with movies or television shows, or are these simply "the things of the world" we are commanded not to love (1 John 2:15)?
Moreover, entertainment isn't limited to visual content. Many people turn to substances—alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and others—for stimulation or relief. Are these permissible under Christian liberty, or do they fall into the category of sin? These are the questions we must wrestle with as we seek to live faithfully in a world saturated with stimuli.
Alcohol and Recreational Drugs: A Biblical Framework
Among the most hotly debated issues in Christian ethics is the question of alcohol. Especially in American conservative churches, opinions range from total abstinence to moderate acceptance. And understandably so—many have seen firsthand the devastation that alcohol abuse can cause: broken families, ruined lives, and tragic deaths.
Yet, Scripture presents a nuanced view. On one hand, the Bible consistently warns against drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1). On the other, it affirms that wine can be a gift from God (Psalm 104:14–15), and even records Jesus' first miracle as turning water into wine at a wedding feast.
Historically, the wine of the ancient world was often diluted with water—sometimes in ratios of 2:1 or 3:1 (water to wine). Drinking undiluted wine was often frowned upon as uncivilized. Still, even diluted wine could cause intoxication, and the Bible never treats drunkenness as harmless.
Consider the alcohol content: naturally fermented wine typically ranges from 9–15% alcohol by volume (ABV), similar to modern wines. Diluting a 12% ABV wine in a 1:3 ratio drops it to around 3% ABV—about the strength of a light beer. So while ancient wine may have been less potent per serving, it was still intoxicating and carried moral responsibility.
The real ethical question isn't just about alcohol, but about control. Paul writes, "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12). A glass of wine may not be sin, but if you cannot function without it—or any substance—it may have become your master.
This principle extends beyond alcohol. Caffeine, nicotine, marijuana—each has its own effects. While caffeine might be jokingly called the "Christian drug of choice," we must still ask: Is it controlling me? If I can't be tolerable until I've had my morning fix, have I become dependent? Likewise, marijuana raises further concerns: is it possible to consume it recreationally without intentional intoxication? And if not, what justification remains?
Certainly, medical uses for substances like marijuana, fentanyl, or oxycodone exist. In controlled settings, they can be necessary and helpful. But recreational abuse leads to destruction. There is no such thing as moderate use of meth.
God has given good things for our enjoyment—but also calls us to self-control. We are not Stoics, rejecting pleasure entirely. Nor are we Gnostics, denying the goodness of the physical world. Rather, we affirm the biblical teaching: "Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4).
Blessings can become curses when abused. Sex, food, wine, and even tobacco can be enjoyed in moderation. But once they begin to control us, they lead us away from holiness.
Technology and Media: When Tools Become Masters
Perhaps no area of modern life demonstrates our ethical struggle more clearly than technology. The smartphone in our pocket has brought both convenience and chaos. And one of the darkest results has been the explosion of the pornography industry.
Once hidden behind store counters, pornography is now instantly accessible, private, and infinite. With just a few taps, anyone can access explicit content—fueling cycles of addiction and shame even within the Church. It is a billion-dollar industry built on exploitation and the distortion of God-given sexuality.
But pornography is just one aspect of how technology affects us. Social media, for instance, has reshaped relationships, reducing them to digital interactions and curated self-presentations. Real conversations are replaced with emojis and comment threads. The constant feed of news—often manipulated for outrage or engagement—floods our minds with confusion, division, and despair.
Add to this the endless pursuit of stimulation. We fill every quiet moment with videos, reels, and scrolling. Silence becomes uncomfortable. Stillness feels unproductive. Our attention spans erode, and our hearts grow numb.
This is not how God calls us to live. The Christian life is marked by self-control and discipline. Galatians 5:22 calls self-control a fruit of the Spirit. Titus 2:12 urges us to live "self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." Paul himself wrote: "I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Job modeled this ethic long before the digital age when he said, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1). In a culture where sinful images are a scroll away, we need that kind of intentionality.
No one is perfect in this area. But if we find ourselves mastered by our screens, our habits, or our desires—we must seek help, confess our need, and lean on the body of Christ.
Liberty vs. Licentiousness: Walking in Freedom Without Falling into Sin
The Bible teaches that we have freedom in Christ. But that freedom is not an excuse to sin. Rather, it calls us to a deeper accountability to God’s Word.
Here’s a key question: What defines the boundaries of Christian liberty—our conscience, or the Bible? The answer must be Scripture. Our conscience is important, but it is not infallible. Sometimes it is too restrictive; other times, it permits things God forbids.
Romans 14 tells us that personal convictions should not be imposed on others. But where Scripture speaks clearly, our conscience must submit. True Christian liberty is the freedom to live joyfully and obediently within the boundaries of God's Word—not according to personal preference.
As Paul reminds us: "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).
We are free—but not free to indulge the flesh. We are free—to glorify God in everything. This includes our choices in entertainment, substance use, and technology. The test is simple: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Even Charles Spurgeon once responded to a critic of smoking by saying he intended to enjoy a cigar to the glory of God. While humorous, the statement is deeply theological: some things can be enjoyed rightly in faith. Others cannot. Discernment is key. Final Thoughts: The Glory of God and the Gift of Discernment Entertainment is not neutral. It shapes us. And in an age of endless amusement, the question every Christian must ask is this: Does this glorify God? If not, it doesn’t belong in our lives. We can enjoy beauty, art, humor, and rest—but never at the expense of holiness. The blessings of life—food, wine, sex, laughter—are gifts. But when gifts become gods, they become chains. Let us be a people marked by discernment. Not ascetics who reject joy, nor libertines who excuse sin—but saints who live in the freedom of Christ, wisely and joyfully, to the glory of God. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable... think about these things" (Philippians 4:8).