Reality shows

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Reality shows; no matter how you feel about them, they have transformed television programming forever. Networks like them because they are much cheaper to produce than shows requiring actors and scriptwriters. Audiences like reality programming as well. Many of the shows are based on competition, giving the people at home someone to root for. Some programs feature normal folks, making it easy to sympathize with their heartaches and successes. Other shows are populated with celebrities or by individuals who are unusual in some way; such programs can be interesting to watch, just to see what these folks are going to say or do next.

Whatever their merits, reality shows do serve a worthwhile purpose—they remind us what human beings are really like, deep down inside. Some people go on these shows because they are greedy and want to win lots of money or an expensive prize; others want to show off how smart or tough they are. Every cast member wants to be recognized by millions of television viewers. Greed and pride give these shows their contestants.

Once on the show, other behaviors emerge. Lies are told and promises are broken, all in the name of strategy. Shouting matches erupt when someone doesn’t get their way. Competition is taken to such extremes that bodies are injured and feelings are hurt. Contestants make snide remarks about each other’s age, looks, morals, or intelligence. Of course, the producers of these shows encourage such behavior—it makes the show interesting to watch.

Unfortunately, you and I are no better than the folks we see on television. Like them, we are willing to do some off-the-wall things in order to get attention. We let greed drive us into making bad decisions. We are willing to tell lies when the truth is inconvenient. We try to bully people into letting us have our own way. We get so wrapped up in trying to reach a goal that we stop thinking about how other people might feel. And when we experience hurt, we spread the pain around by tearing other people down.

Reality programming shows us the darkness that is part of every human being; watching these shows reminds us just how much we need God’s forgiveness and help. Thankfully, God sent His Son to give us what we need. Jesus is the only way to overcome the harsh reality of our sin and come out of life a winner.