On Television and Movies

Lately I have become more sensitive to violence, bad language, immodest clothing, and sexual implications that are pretty rampant on most programs and in most current movies. We like to think that what we watch for entertainment doesn't affect us--we are adults; we can deal with it. Satan would have us believe this lie. At the best, he uses these ways to rob us of our time that could be better spent, and at the worst, he uses this method to feed our carnality and set us up to fall into other related sins.

Really, whether we can deal with it or not is beside the point. Most (not all) Hollywood productions I have seen are blatantly contrary to Philipians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praise worthy--think about such things." You can't watch a show or a movie depicting ungodliness and fulfill this command.

Daniel fled temptation at personal cost that resulted in jail time. We invite it into our living rooms. It is not "fleeing temptation" to watch scenes depicting actions Christians should not engage it. It is not "fleeing temptation" to expose yourself to a Victoria Secret commercial. It is not "fleeing temptation" to allow ungodliness to enter your mind through these mediums.

Paul has more to say in Ephesians 5; I will paraphrase and quote. First he tells us to be followers of God remembering the great sacrifice Christ made for us. Then he lists sins that "should not be named among" Christians--fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, or jesting. He adds that "no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." Then he lays it on the line for those of us living in the twenty-first century with access to Hollywood entertainment, "Be not ye therefore partakers with them" and also in verses eleven and twelve, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."

Isn't watching being "partakers with them"? To say it another way, the dollar speaks--it doesn't speak reproof when we support the industry by renting or buying products that promote a humanistic perspective, include acts of violence, or depict other sins described in these Scriptures.

Oh, but we'll watch a story that includes some, perhaps many, of these very sins if it's a new release by a big name actor. And we call it entertainment. And we say it doesn't affect us. I shouldn't even know what a strip club looks like, I've never been inside one in person; I wouldn't even think of going there. Unfortunately, most of us that watch television or movies have a pretty good idea of what the interior of a strip club might look like. However fleeting these ungodly images are, it has become my opinion that they pollute the story and make the whole presentation unpalatable. In the words of Scripture, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." In plain English, a single scene is reason enough to not watch the whole show or movie.

Why have we as Christians become conditioned to accept Hollywood fare and call it good entertainment? Why do we just fast forward through those suggestive sex scenes instead of calling it soft porn as it really is? While a good "who-done-it" is interesting, why do we accept all the blood and gore that goes with it, instead of realizing that the entertainment value is not worth the ungodliness that is included? These principles apply to any form of entertainment, but television and movies are what I've been thinking about lately.

If any of my nieces and nephew or former students read this, tell me what you think. I sound old, don't I? I must not even enjoy watching movies? I do, actually. My friends know that I enjoy movies as much as the next one. And, I'm not proud of all my choices in the past. The real question has nothing to do with my age, likes and dislikes, or past or present choices. The questions to ask are, "Is it true? Should I be more careful about what I watch for entertainment? Can I turn it off and not have to see how the story ends if I realize what I'm watching is less than upbuilding? Do I spend more time indulging in entertainment than I do in constructive occupations that help me to become more Godly in my thoughts and actions?" Ignore my thoughts and ideas as you like, but do not ignore what Scripture says:

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." Romans 12:2

Being a mom has taught me: My choices and actions and freedoms affect more than just me. They will directly affect my son and the most important choice he will ever make in his life--to choose or reject Jesus.

Blaine's newest skill: Wrinkling up his nose so everyone laughs. (I haven't actually seen this since it was new this morning at "Gongey's"--his paternal grandmother.)