Relationship with God or Spiritual Addiction

I know of a woman who married a man who would no longer "let" her watch T.V. He said television was not holy. Well, I am certainly no TV addict, but do such rules convey a relationship with God or a spiritual addiction? The same man had a whole list of rules for her to keep on the Sabbath. Those rules were enough to have worn any person out on a given day of rest!

We also see piety in people who want to have a special relationship with God by leaving this world and joining a commune or living in a monastery or convent. Is that how we develop a close walk with God?

According to the Bible, these examples fall into the category of a "works righteousness," which God does not honor, because He sees the heart. His ways are so vastly different, as He does not judge based on such burdensome rules. The Bible says His yoke is light. Here are some verses about how God wants us to take what we learn in Bible study and mix with the culture of the day.

1 Thess. 5:21: "Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good." If we are going to "examine everything" it is fine with God for us to read newspapers, watch TV news and stay abreast of current events!

Acts 17: Paul went to reason with the pagans of his day in Athens on Mars Hill. (He did not stay in a commune or live and walk only among Christians.)

2 Corinthians 1:12 teaches that we are free to have our own conscience be our guide. If God lives inside us through the Holy Spirit, He will be faithful to let us know boundaries and His direction in a way no one else can.

Matthew 5:14-16 teaches us that we are the "light of the world" and to not hide the light but to let the whole world see it.

Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission where Jesus teaches us to "go into the world" to tell others about Him, as opposed to staying tucked away in a shell.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 teaches we are going to judge angels, and we can judge the matters of this world.

2 Corinthians 13:8--we can do nothing against the truth.

Galatians 5:1--It was for freedom that Christ set us free. We want to guard our lives to not take that freedom for granted, but we are free...