Proverbs to Shape our View of Media (20-21)

I had a conversation recently with a couple of guys about what our standard should be for the movies and TV we watch and the video games we play. We decided to go through a Proverb a day to see what they have to say (Yes, not starting at Proverbs One, instead Oct 21--Proverbs 21). Here are some observations with some questions. The questions are for us to ponder. I don't claim to have the answer to every question I pose. May you thoughtfully and prayerfully consider what you watch and play.

Proverbs 20

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;

he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

(Proverbs 20:4 ESV) On Laziness (I think our movie watching and game playing sometimes is because we are lazy and not willing to make time to do profitable things. Thus we will have nothing to show come harvest time)

The righteous who walks in his integrity—

blessed are his children after him!

(Proverbs 20:7 ESV) Let's be sure that whatever our standard is, that we walk faithfully in it

A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

(Proverbs 20:8 ESV) Interesting. The ESV Study Note says, "That is, he sorts and separates it out, and then removes it." Should we sort and separate out all evil and then remove it from our movie shelves? What is evil?

Proverbs 21

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

(Proverbs 21:5 ESV) Again, on laziness...

The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

(Proverbs 21:10 ESV) What does this say about wanting to watch evil movies? Play evil games? Do we desire evil by desiring to play with evil? Thoughts?

One who wanders from the way of good sense

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

(Proverbs 21:16 ESV) Does it make good sense to watch what we watch? If so, why?

A wicked man puts on a bold face,

but the upright gives thought to his ways.

(Proverbs 21:29 ESV) I think we are doing this--giving thought to our ways. It is a good thing.