{"id":2382,"date":"2026-04-20T09:33:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/?p=2382"},"modified":"2026-04-20T12:23:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T12:23:13","slug":"entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Entertainment\u00a0and\u00a0Spiritual\u00a0Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New\u00a0Zealand doesn\u2019t\u00a0promote\u00a0atheism\u00a0and\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0decent\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0religious\u00a0residen. Faith assists people in finding strength when they feel that a situation is hopeless and there is no one to turn to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But we are all sinners, and even those who read prayers and attend church every Sunday are no exception. People face temptations every day, but it&#8217;s within their power to learn to recognize them and resist them in time. The most insidious are activities that, on the surface, don\u2019t appear to be sins but can directly lead to them. Below is a list of some pastimes that a believer should avoid in order not to tempt themselves into sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Gambling_Games\" >Gambling&nbsp;Games<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Excessive_Entertainment_and_Idleness\" >Excessive&nbsp;Entertainment&nbsp;and&nbsp;Idleness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Internet_Entertainment_and_Addictions\" >Internet&nbsp;Entertainment&nbsp;and&nbsp;Addictions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#How_to_Save_a_Balance_Between_Relaxation_and_Spiritual_Life\" >How&nbsp;to&nbsp;Save&nbsp;a&nbsp;Balance&nbsp;Between&nbsp;Relaxation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Spiritual&nbsp;Life?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Mindful_Choice_of_Entertainment\" >Mindful&nbsp;Choice&nbsp;of&nbsp;Entertainment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Moderate_Relaxation\" >Moderate&nbsp;Relaxation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/entertainment-and-spiritual-risks-what-should-you-avoid\/#Time_for_Spiritual_Practices\" >Time&nbsp;for&nbsp;Spiritual&nbsp;Practices<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gambling_Games\"><\/span><a><\/a>Gambling&nbsp;Games<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gambling is not illegal in New Zealand, as betting is regulated by law. Therefore, many NZ residents visit casinos for entertainment without giving much thought to the potential consequences.&nbsp;According&nbsp;to&nbsp;Christian&nbsp;theological&nbsp;sources,&nbsp;gambling&nbsp;in&nbsp;clubs&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a&nbsp;sin,&nbsp;but it&nbsp;can&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;stir&nbsp;up&nbsp;emotions&nbsp;and&nbsp;desires&nbsp;that&nbsp;are&nbsp;forbidden.&nbsp;It&#8217;s&nbsp;best&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;aware&nbsp;of&nbsp;the spiritual risks associated with gambling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Love&nbsp;of&nbsp;money;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greed;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potential&nbsp;for&nbsp;addiction;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anger.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gambling can gradually form a habit of relying on chance instead of responsible management of one&#8217;s own finances, even if one looks for reliable casinos and chooses online&nbsp;platforms&nbsp;where&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/casinosanalyzer.co.nz\/casino-bonuses\/zodiaccasino.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>bonus&nbsp;rules&nbsp;are&nbsp;explained<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;transparently.&nbsp;A&nbsp;person&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;starts to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;more&nbsp;money&nbsp;than&nbsp;planned,&nbsp;which&nbsp;can&nbsp;lead&nbsp;to&nbsp;financial&nbsp;difficulties&nbsp;or&nbsp;conflicts&nbsp;in&nbsp;the family. The desire to win back after a loss often causes stress, irritation, and strong emotional tension. Betting can develop into an addiction that negatively affects work over time, relationships with loved ones, and a person&#8217;s spiritual life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Excessive_Entertainment_and_Idleness\"><\/span><a><\/a>Excessive&nbsp;Entertainment&nbsp;and&nbsp;Idleness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excessive entertainment and a constant desire for easy recreation can gradually form a habit of inactivity. When a person spends too much time in bars, at parties, or continuously watching entertainment content, he begins to postpone important matters and responsibilities. This will contribute to the appearance of laziness, loss of discipline, and indifference&nbsp;to&nbsp;work.&nbsp;An&nbsp;idle&nbsp;lifestyle&nbsp;is&nbsp;accompanied&nbsp;by&nbsp;a&nbsp;waste&nbsp;of&nbsp;money&nbsp;and&nbsp;time,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is considered undesirable behavior in Christian ethics. In addition, the atmosphere of night entertainment sometimes provokes alcohol consumption or reckless actions. All this can gradually distance a person from spiritual values and a responsible lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuous&nbsp;entertainment&nbsp;forms&nbsp;an&nbsp;addiction&nbsp;to&nbsp;constant&nbsp;emotional&nbsp;stimuli.&nbsp;A&nbsp;person&nbsp;gets used to seeking only quick satisfaction, avoiding complex tasks, learning, or spiritual<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">development. As a result, indifference to one\u2019s own development and the needs of other people&nbsp;arises.&nbsp;Pastimes&nbsp;of&nbsp;this&nbsp;kind&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;give&nbsp;rise&nbsp;to&nbsp;envy,&nbsp;irritability,&nbsp;or&nbsp;dissatisfaction with real life. Therefore, many Christian authors highlight the importance of moderation in entertainment and the conscious use of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Internet_Entertainment_and_Addictions\"><\/span><a><\/a>Internet&nbsp;Entertainment&nbsp;and&nbsp;Addictions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online entertainment takes up a significant portion of people\u2019s free time and can gradually develop&nbsp;an&nbsp;addiction&nbsp;to&nbsp;constant&nbsp;content.&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders&nbsp;spend&nbsp;every&nbsp;free&nbsp;minute&nbsp;on&nbsp;social media, online games, or video platforms. According to research by <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/activated-thinker\/the-psychology-behind-social-media-addiction-9fe5d8f3f886\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Medium<\/u><\/a>, the average Internet user spends more than 6-7 hours a day online, while almost all of this time is spent on entertainment. Because of this, a person may begin to neglect their studies, work, or communication with loved ones. The constant desire to check for new messages, likes, or news gradually forms a psychological attachment. In a spiritual sense, this behavior is sometimes viewed as a manifestation of intemperance and loss of control over one\u2019s own time. The most undesirable effects can be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Continuous&nbsp;viewing&nbsp;of&nbsp;videos&nbsp;on&nbsp;streaming&nbsp;platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online&nbsp;games&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;system&nbsp;of&nbsp;constant&nbsp;rewards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social&nbsp;networks&nbsp;with&nbsp;an&nbsp;endless&nbsp;news&nbsp;feed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watching&nbsp;short&nbsp;videos&nbsp;that&nbsp;stimulate&nbsp;quick&nbsp;dopamine&nbsp;gratification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Online&nbsp;betting&nbsp;and&nbsp;gambling.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long-term&nbsp;obsession&nbsp;with&nbsp;online&nbsp;entertainment&nbsp;can&nbsp;lead&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;habit&nbsp;of&nbsp;wasting&nbsp;time&nbsp;without real benefit. A person begins to postpone important matters, which gradually causes laziness.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;sin,&nbsp;while&nbsp;excessive&nbsp;use&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Internet&nbsp;can&nbsp;cause&nbsp;irritability,&nbsp;anxiety,&nbsp;or&nbsp;a feeling of dissatisfaction with life. Studies show that prolonged stay on social networks is associated with a decrease in concentration and sleep quality. As a result, online entertainment, which initially seemed like an innocent pastime, can turn into a habit that negatively affects both daily life and the spiritual state of a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Save_a_Balance_Between_Relaxation_and_Spiritual_Life\"><\/span><a><\/a>How&nbsp;to&nbsp;Save&nbsp;a&nbsp;Balance&nbsp;Between&nbsp;Relaxation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Spiritual&nbsp;Life?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People&nbsp;are&nbsp;so&nbsp;wired&nbsp;that&nbsp;they&nbsp;can&#8217;t&nbsp;sit&nbsp;at&nbsp;home&nbsp;all&nbsp;the&nbsp;time&nbsp;and&nbsp;forget&nbsp;about&nbsp;entertainment. All that remains is to maintain a balance, which isn&#8217;t difficult if you follow a few rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything&nbsp;should&nbsp;be&nbsp;in&nbsp;moderation,&nbsp;and&nbsp;sometimes&nbsp;the&nbsp;most&nbsp;sophisticated&nbsp;entertainment can be harmless if you learn to control yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"429\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/business-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/business-4.jpg 429w, https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/business-4-300x259.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 429px) 100vw, 429px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mindful_Choice_of_Entertainment\"><\/span><a><\/a>Mindful&nbsp;Choice&nbsp;of&nbsp;Entertainment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pay attention to your preferred forms of relaxation. Not all forms of relaxation have the same impact on your mood, habits, and inner state. Quiet walks, travel, reading, or chatting with friends can help you relax without negative consequences, while casino games, excessive alcohol&nbsp;consumption,&nbsp;or&nbsp;the&nbsp;constant&nbsp;search&nbsp;for&nbsp;thrills&nbsp;can&nbsp;gradually&nbsp;lead&nbsp;to&nbsp;unhealthy&nbsp;habits. Statistics show that people are more likely to experience relaxation that involves socializing and new experiences, rather than just quick entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moderate_Relaxation\"><\/span><a><\/a>Moderate&nbsp;Relaxation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even enjoyable entertainment can become a problem if it takes up too much time. When people&nbsp;spend&nbsp;their&nbsp;evenings&nbsp;watching&nbsp;TV&nbsp;shows,&nbsp;playing&nbsp;games,&nbsp;or&nbsp;partying,&nbsp;they&nbsp;gradually feel tired and lose concentration. Psychologists note that the optimal amount of time for entertainment per day typically doesn&#8217;t exceed 1-2 hours, so it doesn&#8217;t interfere with work and personal responsibilities. However, if leisure becomes a major part of your life, it can lead to problems with discipline and self-organization. Limit your time for games and rest, giving a full day to family, work, or personal development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time_for_Spiritual_Practices\"><\/span><a><\/a>Time&nbsp;for&nbsp;Spiritual&nbsp;Practices<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a religious person, maintain balance by regularly devoting attention to your spiritual life. It&#8217;s impossible to avoid sinning, but you can purify your thoughts and intentions by attending church or an evening service. Regular prayer at home, reading religious literature, or reflecting on your values can also help. The practices will help you pause and rethink&nbsp;your&nbsp;desires.&nbsp;They&nbsp;provide&nbsp;an&nbsp;ability&nbsp;to&nbsp;restore&nbsp;inner&nbsp;peace&nbsp;after&nbsp;an&nbsp;active&nbsp;pastime&nbsp;or reviewing online casinos on the Casinos Analyzer website. Even a few minutes <a href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/\">a<\/a> day can have a positive impact on your emotional state. This creates a habit of living more mindfully and harmoniously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/\">https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New\u00a0Zealand doesn\u2019t\u00a0promote\u00a0atheism\u00a0and\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0decent\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0religious\u00a0residen. Faith assists people in finding strength when they feel that a situation is hopeless and there is no&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2382","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2382"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2391,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2382\/revisions\/2391"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/derekdemars.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}