Are you addicted to entertainment?

4 ways to check if something fun has turned into something bad.

Many teenagers now have instant access to a lot of information, social platforms, streaming TV and games. The question that arises from this instant access is, when do hobbies and entertainment turn into addictions?

There are a few things to think about when checking to see if a form of entertainment or a hobby has grown into an unhealthy addiction:

1. Relationships

Do your friendships and family relationships suffer because of your desire to be entertained? Do you find yourself not wanting to be around people so you can spend more time with your entertainment? These are great indications that you may have an entertainment addiction. This could lead to disconnecting from the outside world and a very selfish mindset. Your entertainment could be the most important thing, not serving others.

2. Conversations

Do your conversations revolve around your entertainment? Are you able to hold conversations that don’t focus on your entertainment? Are you interested in hearing about the lives of other people and what they are doing? Conversations can be a great opportunity to pour into the lives of others, building them up and offering encouragement.

3. Time

How much time is spent entertaining yourself? There is no real wrong number, but it is all based on comparisons. How does that amount of time compare to the amount of time spent with God, serving the church, serving in others, investing in the lives of other? If your entertainment is taking up the majority of the time or nearly all of your time, that is a great indication of your priorities.

4. Thoughts

What do you find yourself thinking about? We have been created with amazing minds that are able to dream up amazing things. Sometimes, are brains get distracted and instead of creating amazing thoughts and ideas we get stuck in a rut and only focus on ideas about how we can be entertained. Romans 12:2 warns, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Having hobbies and forms of entertainment are not bad, and in fact the Bible speaks of many forms of entertainment. The important thing is not being tricked into the lie that life’s sole purpose is to entertain you. An important reminder about our purpose on earth is found in Mark 10:45: For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As Christians, we need to make sure that we keep our purpose and relationships in proper perspective, because we are here to serve Christ.