Can Christians do this?

Guy Incognito

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For me, this falls under the "all things are lawful but not all build up" umbrella.

Will partaking in this (or anything else we'd ask this question for) put you in a position where it causes you or someone else you're doing this with to sin or stumble? Will it lead you away from the Lord? Is it something you know or feel will negatively impact your walk?

If the answer to any of the above is yes, then don't do it.

For myself, with a couple exceptions, nudity in film/media is something that can lead me stumbling and sinning, so I stay the heck away from most things with it featured - but that's not the case for everyone.

Hope this was helpful.
 
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Anna Therese

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Part of being a Christian is figuring this stuff out for yourself, what God is calling you to do, and living by that.

God has revealed that there are specific sins that will place a believer outside the state of grace. Such sins, in fact, with exclude a believer from Heaven:

Gal. 5:19-21- “Now the works of the flesh are evident: fornication, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
 
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Kit Sigmon

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So, here is an but of an uncommon question.

I know Christians are not supposed to delight in evil. But imagine, in something fictional like a movie, or a book, someone did something I found humorous, though the action itself was be morally wrong. Could I laugh? Would it be permissible? Would taking amusement in something like that, even if it was only in a made up story, be harmful to the soul?

What do you guys think?

Many sinful things have become "acceptable" to many and it be done by way
of comedy/humor...'cause what you laugh at, you are in a sense approving/
giving it permission to be in your presence and the more you keep watching
such TV shows, movies, read such books or whatever, you give approval to it
and one become "compromised" by the very thing(s) the Bible say be sinful.










 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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I know Christians are not supposed to delight in evil. But imagine, in something fictional like a movie, or a book, someone did something I found humorous, though the action itself was be morally wrong. Could I laugh? Would it be permissible? Would taking amusement in something like that, even if it was only in a made up story, be harmful to the soul?

"The things of the world" from the Bible: "desires of the flesh"
"desires of the eyes" and the "pride of life"
Whoever loves (desires) the things of the world cannot be God's friend.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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... ... ...
Gal. 5:19-21- “Now the works of the flesh are evident: fornication, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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"The things of the world" from the Bible: "desires of the flesh"
"desires of the eyes" and the "pride of life"
Whoever loves (desires) the things of the world cannot be God's friend.
You can cast the first stone at any of those people if you have never sinned in any way yourself. That is, if you have never had to use 1 John 1:9 at any time in your Christian life.
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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God has revealed that there are specific sins that will place a believer outside the state of grace. Such sins, in fact, with exclude a believer from Heaven:

Gal. 5:19-21- “Now the works of the flesh are evident: fornication, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The truth is that any unconfessed sin will block a person from having fellowship with God until they use 1 John 1:9 to be forgiven and cleansed. Even a little bit of jealousy, envy, or criticism will do it as effectively as anything in the list of the works of the flesh.
All you have to do is to get angry, impatient, and kick the cat, and you are in trouble until you confess it to God.
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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I wonder how many church members have had this attitude:
"I go to church every Sunday, pray my prayers every day, live a totally moral life, kind to children and animals, give generously in the offering, think clean thoughts, totally faithful to my wife, and always honest in my dealings. I thank God that I am not like these homosexuals, prostitutes, gamblers, criminals, and members of my church who are in obvious sinful practices".

Then a prostitute comes up to the altar at the end of the service, kneels down and prays, "Lord forgive me, a sinner."

Who do you think will be acceptable to God?
 
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ColoRaydo

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I have mixed thoughts on this.

Fictional morally questionable behavior is just that, fictional.

The question of course is, How does one take it? If it is being glamorized or promoted as good and normal, take recreational drug use for example, I usually stop reading or watching it because I simply lose interest in following the character. If it’s just part of a story, it doesn’t bother me.

I also believe in “garbage in, garbage out.” I used to listen to Howard Stern on the radio. There were times that I was laughing so hard I almost crashed my car. But as my walk with Christ developed and as my daughters began to grow into young women, I felt convicted that by listening to something that completely disrespected God’s plan for sexuality and females in particular, I was condoning such material. I stopped listening. Besides, the humor is just sophomoric.
 
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NothingIsImpossible

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This is a subject where people will point fingers at you while having three point back at them. Its easy for us to say "How can you do such a thing! You call yourself a christian!" while we have wood plank in our eyes on other subjects. Not that we can't give correction of course.

Me? I enjoy games, tv shows and movies. Some of which I know God wouldn't watch/play hands down. However I know they aren't affecting my walk so I still watch/play them. Doesn't mean I don't have limits though. I try to avoid nudity or things that seem to have endless swearing in them. More so because I know those things used to influence me.

Another thing if I won't watch something that depicts christians as stupid or immoral people. Or if there is to much "worldly" stuff in it I won't watch. I started watching Orville last year and enjoyed it but felt ALOT of pushing agendas on it. I struggled at to whether or not I would watch it anymore.

Season 2 came out last week and the first episode was with two alien males who were a couple. The one was making excuses about being at work while he was actually in a simulator having sex with another mal of his species. When he got to his "spouses" room after the spouse wanted sex but he refused. I stop watching and was like "Ugh, to much agenda!". I'm not watching it anymore.
 
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SamanthaAnastasia

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So, here is an but of an uncommon question.

I know Christians are not supposed to delight in evil. But imagine, in something fictional like a movie, or a book, someone did something I found humorous, though the action itself was be morally wrong. Could I laugh? Would it be permissible? Would taking amusement in something like that, even if it was only in a made up story, be harmful to the soul?

What do you guys think?
I’ve often think if this dilemma, too.
 
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SamanthaAnastasia

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I think that TV is worse than books when it comes to graphic displays of violence or sex.
That being said, personally I like to watch historical tv/movies and children’s animated movies.
When it comes to sex or violence, I just look away (my husband watches these things and he’s also a nonbeliever).
With books, I don’t see much graphic sex or violence.
I’ve had this dilemma when it comes to playing video games. Therefore, I just like to play abstract strategy or survival games.
Hope that helps
 
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