I am the mirror of the world. No one can match the usefulness I serve.
I am a babysitter, I am an escape from the world, I am a child’s playmate and I am a tool of Satan.
Who am I? My name is Noisivelet.
I in myself am not bad.
In fact I was created for man’s benefit, but somehow all that changed. Where it began I don’t know, but my morals went downhill swiftly.
Once a little sin began being part of me it was as if I dam burst I and my whole being was affected by sin.
I am used by Satan to confuse Christians and to tempt them into longing for worldly pleasures.
Christians can be such hypocrites. They disregard what they call a very important truth in the Bible.
In Matthew 6:33 it’s says: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
When they watch me they are not seeking God’s kingdom.
What is my effect on the family?
I, Noisivelet have drawn them apart and caused many disputes.
When I am present within a room I command attention. A family can spend an entire evening together in the same room and not once talk to each other. I take the place of importance in children’s lives rather than their parents.
I take priority over a husband or wife in the spouse’s eyes. When I am not in top condition the whole family mourns. Some people go as far as to worship me.
Whatever I say must be right! Others are addicted to me like a drug.
The apostle Paul says in first Corinthians 6:12 “all things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
But they are under my power. Their whole life revolves around me and my time schedule. I prevent them from being effective for God by taking away their precious time.
Another of the many useful purposes I serve is to condition people to except immoral relationships and murder as a fact of life which is nothing to be alarmed about. The more Christians see these things, the less it shocks them and the easier they accept sin.
Satan is delighted at the purpose I, Noisivelet, have served to turn you away from God. You may be wondering who I am.
I look very innocent to the unsuspecting person so you may not yet have guessed. “I don’t know you” you say to yourself. But you do know me, better than you think. I am such an intricate part of your life that you just don’t realize the amount of control I have over you.
“Well,” you find yourself arguing, “you can never be used to attack me or my family.” You see you have become very apathetic. Do you know about the things I tell your children? When you leave me alone with them they are fair game for me!
I inform them that their parents don’t have to be obeyed. Obedience is a very old fashion concept that is as out of style as going to church.
They also learn many other useful things from me. “There is nothing wrong with swearing children, everyone does it.
Haven’t you heard your friends, (or even your parents) say a few bad words?”
“Drinking is commonplace. The only way to have fun as an adult is to get drunk or be rich, and you know you’ll never be rich.”
I’ll bet you never realize that I, Noisivelet, was telling your children these things, but I do, and you allow it.
How can you trust me alone with them?!
What about your husband or wife? What do I tell them? It is such fun for me to captivate them with thoughts of immorality and unfaithfulness in marriage.
I tell them that no one is faithful to one person anymore.
Society has moved away from the rigid standards it once had.
Today is a day of openness and freedom in relationships. You must be the only couple in the United States that still follows those old-fashioned ways. What a disappointment you are to your friends. After all you don’t accept the things they do.
What about you? What do I tell you.
“Noisivelet, I don’t know you and I don’t want to” you say. But let’s face it, you do know me and I know you, and what you want to hear what I tell you.
“Your something special you deserve a break, you’re worth it.” All these things I tell you and more. I tell you how much you’re missing in life because of your Christianity.
Why, you don’t even drink a little bit of wine. In Colossians 3:2 it says to set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, but do you do that?
No, because when you watch me I tell you of all the people in the world that are having more fun, are richer, more famous, better dressed, eat better and live in nicer homes then you do.
I, Noisivelet, fill your mind with thoughts of greed and dissatisfaction with what your life is.
Why don’t you do something about me while you still can? You can make me quiet, you can even remove me from your home. The question is…..are you willing to do this? Can you take the pressure?
Up to this point I have not revealed to you my true identity. You see, I wanted you to think that I don’t sitting your home and tell you and your family lies, but I do.
Take the word Noisivelet and say it backwards, it’s pronounced television. Here is a good illustration of how I see you.
The television is my shepherd, my spiritual life doth want.
It maketh me sit down and do nothing.
It’s seateth me beside men of no faith.
It restoreth my desire for worldly pleasures.
They requireth with all my spare time and keepeth me from doing the will of God, because it presenteth so much foolishness which I must see.
It increaseth my knowledge of nonsense and keepeth me from the study of the word of God.
Yes, though I live to be an hundred, yet the viewing of my television shall have first place in my life as long as it doth operate, for it is my closest companion.
It’s sound and it’s picture, they comfort me.
It presenteth foolishness and folly before me continually and keepeth me from surrendering my whole life to God.
It anoints my mind with seeds of corruptions, and fills my head with vanity, which profiteth me nothing; my cup remains empty.
Surely, no good thing will come of my life, because I am devoted to my television, which leaveth me no time to serve God acceptably; Thus I will dwell in the house of confusion forever.
1983
Stephanie Curtis Dieter
The above was copyrighted 1983 by Stephanie Curtis
Center for Evangelists 