YOUR RECREATION

“Yield not to temptation,

For yielding is sin.

Each vict’ry will help you.

Some other to win.

Fight manfully onward,

Dark passions subdue,

Look ever to Jesus:

He’ll carry you through.”

-H. R. Palmer

 

         It is very likely there will be some things in which you are engaged before becoming a Christian that are now questionable to you. Maybe you had though nothing about it before, but now you are not quite sure the Lord is pleased when you participate in them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and you do not want to quench Him by violating your conscience.

Many questions will arise concerning your daily conduct that you cannot solve by some definite command of Scripture. The Bible was written for all ages and circumstances and naturally does not mention specific amusements of our age that may be wrong.  However, the Scriptures do give us certain principles to follow which we can apply to our own particular problems. Hence, in deciding any such question it would be well to ask yourself:

  • First, does it violate any principle of the Word of God.
  • Second, is it questionable in your own mind? (Rom. 14:23)
  • Third, is it “of the world”? (1 John 2:15-17)
  • Fourth, does it take away your desire for spiritual things—make you less prayerful, less faithful in Bible reading, less zealous in the Lord’s work?
  • Fifth, will it be a stumbling block to some weak Christians? (Rom. 14:19-21; 1 Cor. 10:31-33)
  • Sixth, does it lead you into temptation? (1 Thes. 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:22)
  • Seventh, would you like to found so occupied when the Lord comes? (Matt. 24:42-46; 1 John 2:28)
  • Eighth, what good is there in it? (Heb. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:23)

 

There are too many good forms of recreation in which a Christian can engage for him to endanger his soul by participating in that which is questionable. Even your recreation can be devoted to something that will achieve some worthwhile end. There are numerous hobbies for both boys and girls that develop useful skills that contribute toward physical and social development. There are many games that provide wholesome enjoyment and relaxation.

In planning your recreation do not overlook the pleasure and profit to be had in group singing. Enlist the cooperation of your parents in planning your recreation. Most parents will be glad for you to bring your friends into the home.  It is a much more wholesome environment than some public place. Young and old should learn how to have a good time together. Each age group has something the other group needs. Don’t think that you have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. Most Americans try to get heir recreation second hand, they spend their money to sit and watch others get their recreation. The simple pleasures in which you actually engage yourself will prove to be the best form of recreation.

The. Purpose of recreation is to “re-create”. Someone has said that the only worthwhile recreation is that which you look forward to with pleasure, enjoy while participating in it, and look back on without regrets. But even that which is good in itself can be carried to an extreme and thus become wrong. Recreation should be incidental in life, not its main objective.

“Look therefore carefully how we walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16)