Q&A Home > C > Christian Life

• From what I have seen so far in your website, almost everything I enjoy is against God's will. I love to read fiction books such as Harry Potter only because it is entertaining. I do not condone using witchcraft or trying to imitate the people in the books, but does that mean I give up reading entirely? Also, I live watching movies and TV shows (which I try to do in moderation of course) but there is not one show or movie that is completely clean. Not all of them will ever be perfect in God's eyes, so do I give up all of it? I am not saying any of this in anger, but in confusion and curiosity. I do not want to do anything that is against God. How would I spend my days when I have free time to do the things that I enjoy? Of course, I make time to pray and read my bible to sustain my relationship with God, but what do I do after I do those things? If every hobby that I have is somehow against God, what should I do? Sometimes, I feel as if the only way I can truly be Christian is to completely isolate myself from others and have a schedule of only eating, sleeping, and praying while doing absolutely nothing else. Again, I am never tempted by books or entertainment to imitate what the characters do or condone it. I simply watch and read for pleasure. I know being a Christian does not mean I should completely ignore everything that the world has to offer, but at the same time, I do not want to only find pleasure in worldly things. How can I find pleasure through God when there are other things that make me happy as well? Should I throw them away and isolate myself from the world? I feel as if I would miss the feeling I get from not only reading, but music (not music that promotes evil things like drugs and sex, of course, because those kinds of songs should obviously be avoided. I mean music that can calm me down or make me feel better through a positive message). I do not immediately turn to music or books for happiness, because I know God is the only thing that can make me happy, but am I also not allowed to enjoy things like that as well, as long as I am not tempted by them? I put God in my heart before all other things, but does that mean I reject the things I enjoy? If so, what other hobbies can I do that do not involve such things?
• How can you preach Christianity without turning people off religion, e.g., like not wanting to watch a movie in the cinema because you know it does not edify? You can't say, I don't want to watch this movie because it is evil, especially if your partner wants to go with other people?
• I want to live a righteous Christian life, but I don't know how. What am I to expect as I attempt to live a righteous life?