Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!
Let's look at the word "AMUSEMENT."
A - as a prefix:
The prefix "a-" or "an-" in Greek often means "not" or "without."
muse(v.)
"to reflect, ponder, meditate; to be absorbed in thought, TO THINK." mid-14c., from Old French muser (12c.) "to ponder, dream, wonder; loiter, waste time."
Together:
amuse(v.)
late 15c., "to divert the attention, beguile, delude," from Old French amuser "fool, tease, hoax, entrap; make fun of."
The original English senses are obsolete; the meaning "divert from serious business, tickle the fancy of" is recorded from the 1630s, but through 18c. The primary meaning was "deceive, cheat" by first occupying the attention.
We can also conclude from the above definitions that amusement is "Not Thinking."
Do we, as believers, like to think? Do we ponder on scriptures and pray for revelation? When we hear a sermon, are we waiting to hear something that challenges our thoughts and encourages us to align them with scripture?
One could argue that some styles of preaching have an entertainment value, amusement. Which is more common to traditional African American Church. On the other hand, teaching is not as popular nor is it demaned among believers.
There is so much more I want to say on this topic, but I'm limited in this format, I'll end with this question. Does the time we spend thinking about the Holy Scriptures outweigh the time we spend being a-mused?
Proverbs 4:23: This verse states, "Keep your heart/ mind with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." This passage highlights the connection between our thoughts, our hearts, and our overall life.
Shalom
Pastor Williams