Discussion about if entertainment can be a sin

fatherforgivethem said:

I can't help myself and stop thinking about it, even though I already got into a conclusion for it, I keep questioning myself "what if your conclusion is ok for you but wrong for God?"...

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What do you mean by "wrong for God"?
We have all sinned against God, and he sent his Son to die so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life.
If someone rejects this free gift, it doesn't matter what else they do or how good/pure they are; they have still rejected eternal life and are not reconciled to God. If someone is a born again Christian and has accepted Jesus, watching certain films and reading certain books may not be that healthy for them but it is not a sin that can cause God to reject them.

fatherforgivethem said:

So, the point is: can movies/books/series/games/etc with specific subjects be a sin to read/watch? Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

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It's not a sin to watch/read them - but if done often enough, they may begin to affect your thinking/morals/language/attitude.
Remember, Paul said "whatever is true .... whatever is pure, whatever is lovely - think of these things", Philippians 4:8.

fatherforgivethem said:

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

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It depends what you count as "entertainment".
I don't watch films, generally speaking - not even good or Christian ones. My husband does and I hate some of the language that's used in them.
I do watch Eastenders - which is not at all Christian with storylines of pre marital sex, abortion, gay marriage etc. But for me, it's more of a habit than entertainment; some of the storylines are rubbish, and it doesn't at all change my views on pre marital sex, abortion etc.
But for some, it may be harmful.

@fatherforgivethem, have you been Born-Again?

fatherforgivethem said:

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

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I personally do not watch horror, violent or inappropriate contentographic films and try to avoid those with language or lots of sex scenes. Dirk home and TV..

What I would urge you to consider is that the puritans, those who were highly influential in establishing Protestantism also enjoyed, music, dancing, good food and drink, they opposed the theatre because of its depiction of immorality as attractive.

It is what you are enjoying that one needs to consider, is it right, honourable, good etc.

fatherforgivethem said:

I can't help myself and stop thinking about it, even though I already got into a conclusion for it, I keep questioning myself "what if your conclusion is ok for you but wrong for God?"... maybe this is because of my frequent OCD and intrusive thoughts...?


So, the point is: can movies/books/series/games/etc with specific subjects be a sin to read/watch? Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

Let me give you an example on what I mean about "specific subjects": Lovecraft's stories.
For those who don't know, just a small resume: Lovecraft is a writer of horror fiction that lived 100 ago. Until today, his works are "important" and very influent on modern stories of any sort (books, movies, etc).
But the point is about his stories. He wrote "cosmic horror" and is around the fear of the unkown. His stories are always about old and ancient creatures that can be so powerful that some can be considered "semi-god" or even more than that. The most popular one, that you probably heard about is Cthulhu.
But after all, it's just fiction and entertainment. Even if you argue it is for sure wrong using Philippians 4:8, I don't think it is valid because it's just entertainment, just a book, right? Even then, maybe you can classify it as "excellent" because it is a good and entertaining story. What's your thoughts on this versicle about it?


This example of Lovecraft is only an example, you can also substitute for greek mithology *(and its many adaptations into entertainment), series/movies that have demons as a subject, anyway, you can use many examples on it.

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

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Would you read book about mass murderer slowly killing subjects and torturing them even tho its just fictional? Or a movie instead of a book?

Thats how some murderers started by reading such fiction and then low and behold he is in prison and gives testimony of how he killed 20 people

fatherforgivethem said:

I can't help myself and stop thinking about it, even though I already got into a conclusion for it, I keep questioning myself "what if your conclusion is ok for you but wrong for God?"... maybe this is because of my frequent OCD and intrusive thoughts...?


So, the point is: can movies/books/series/games/etc with specific subjects be a sin to read/watch? Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

Let me give you an example on what I mean about "specific subjects": Lovecraft's stories.
For those who don't know, just a small resume: Lovecraft is a writer of horror fiction that lived 100 ago. Until today, his works are "important" and very influent on modern stories of any sort (books, movies, etc).
But the point is about his stories. He wrote "cosmic horror" and is around the fear of the unkown. His stories are always about old and ancient creatures that can be so powerful that some can be considered "semi-god" or even more than that. The most popular one, that you probably heard about is Cthulhu.
But after all, it's just fiction and entertainment. Even if you argue it is for sure wrong using Philippians 4:8, I don't think it is valid because it's just entertainment, just a book, right? Even then, maybe you can classify it as "excellent" because it is a good and entertaining story. What's your thoughts on this versicle about it?


This example of Lovecraft is only an example, you can also substitute for greek mithology *(and its many adaptations into entertainment), series/movies that have demons as a subject, anyway, you can use many examples on it.

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

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I think we become what we surround ourselves with, even if you think it's not the case.

God bless

fatherforgivethem said:

Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

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Impossible.

That's like saying a pipe is unaffected by water passing through over time.

Our minds are the mode of transport through which all of our thoughts, conscious and unconscious, travel. Certain things will affect the environment through which we perceive everything, including G-d, scriptures, prayer etc.

fatherforgivethem said:

So what you mean about being "born-again", is it just accepting Jesus into my life...?

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Yes. Being baptized after surrendering to Jesus is "going public" with it.

After getting Saved, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to help us learn how to walk in His ways [John 14:15-17 , John 14:26]. Whenever you read the Word or listen to it or hear it preached at your church, the Holy Spirit promises to remind you of it for issues like the OP.

The OCD is there to accuse you constantly and will not shut up even when given a Biblical answer.

Get treatment for the OCD, and seek out a church that has a healing ministry.

Can partaking in certain kinds of entertainment lead to sin? Of course it can.

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. -- 1 Corinthians 10

But we can always apply the Philippian Prescription to determine whether particular entertainment is edifying:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. -- Philippians 4

By saying, and repeating "whatever," Paul urges us to apply these criteria to everything placed before us.

fatherforgivethem said:

Thanks for your answer, I'll look for baptism soon.
So basically you are saying that I need to let Holy Spirit guide me if I should or not consume certain type of entertainment? Like for example this Lovecraft stories. You are not judging if it's wrong or not, you are saying that I need Holy Spirit to give me my answer, and every people will get their own individual answer, that is different for each one, right?

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Each person asking wholeheartedly will get an individual response, but that doesn't mean every answer will be different.

Some things are so out of step with the Spirit that the Spirit will say, "Not that" to everyone who asks.

fatherforgivethem said:

Yeah, sure, I agree.
But for example, people more "sensitive" the answer can be no, but the same question from "strong" people the answer can be yes, right?

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. -- Philippians 4

If there is absolutely nothing true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy about that item of entertainment (and we are talking true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy in a Christian sense of being edifying or beneficial), the answer would be "no" for everyone, if for no other reason than it's a waste of the Master's resources (your time is actually His time, whatever money you spent on that entertainment is actually His money).

A more mature Christian might be able to see something true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy in a certain entertainment that a less mature Christian doesn't see, however.

But something that is not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy in any Christian sense...would not be good entertainment for any Christian.

fatherforgivethem said:

So basically you are saying that I need to let Holy Spirit guide me if I should or not consume certain type of entertainment?

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Some things are clear in the Bible, but not everything is.

fatherforgivethem said:

You are not judging if it's wrong or not, you are saying that I need Holy Spirit to give me my answer,...

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"All things are lawful for me,
all things are lawful for me,

fatherforgivethem said:

...and every people will get their own individual answer, that is different for each one, right?

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Listening to other Godly opinions is Biblical, too.
"Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

fatherforgivethem said:

But for example, people more "sensitive" the answer can be no, but the same question from "strong" people the answer can be yes, right?

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Ultimate right & wrong will be the same for everyone when we get to 1 John 3:2, but God does not always correct people in the same order.

You might be okay with something, now, and find that you have developed a distaste for it, later.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

fatherforgivethem said:

I can't help myself and stop thinking about it, even though I already got into a conclusion for it, I keep questioning myself "what if your conclusion is ok for you but wrong for God?"... maybe this is because of my frequent OCD and intrusive thoughts...?


So, the point is: can movies/books/series/games/etc with specific subjects be a sin to read/watch? Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

Let me give you an example on what I mean about "specific subjects": Lovecraft's stories.
For those who don't know, just a small resume: Lovecraft is a writer of horror fiction that lived 100 ago. Until today, his works are "important" and very influent on modern stories of any sort (books, movies, etc).
But the point is about his stories. He wrote "cosmic horror" and is around the fear of the unkown. His stories are always about old and ancient creatures that can be so powerful that some can be considered "semi-god" or even more than that. The most popular one, that you probably heard about is Cthulhu.
But after all, it's just fiction and entertainment. Even if you argue it is for sure wrong using Philippians 4:8, I don't think it is valid because it's just entertainment, just a book, right? Even then, maybe you can classify it as "excellent" because it is a good and entertaining story. What's your thoughts on this versicle about it?


This example of Lovecraft is only an example, you can also substitute for greek mithology *(and its many adaptations into entertainment), series/movies that have demons as a subject, anyway, you can use many examples on it.

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

Click to expand...

There's no rule or commandment from God about such things. This is an area of life that is a matter of personal conscience.

When it comes to matters of conscience, something that is okay for you may not be okay for someone else; and likewise something that may not be okay for you is okay for someone else. It's about our freedom of conscience.

If something offends your conscience, then don't--just as long as you can remember that you cannot judge the conscience of another on matters of personal freedom.

There are movies I don't want to watch, for a variety of reasons. Same with music, video games, comic books, television shows, etc. But it's an entirely personal choice, and it's not up to me to tell others they can't enjoy those things if their conscience is not bothered by them.

When we begin to tell others what they can or cannot eat, drink, wear, watch, listen to, etc we are engaging in empty moralism--morality without righteousness. Moralism can be a cudgel to wield against others, or it can be the cudgel that is wielded against us. But whether one becomes prideful or despairs, the result is still the same: The failure to faithfully preach the word, both Law and Gospel, resulting in religiosity without religion. Religious abuse, toxic religion, the very things our Lord Jesus condemned among many of the scribes and Pharisees of His time.

I don't watch many horror movies personally, but for me that's just because they aren't really my cup of tea. I don't derive entertainment from them. The exception to this is when horror flicks are really bad, or really campy. A good-bad horror movie is extremely entertaining. But I am also a fan of schlock, and Mystery Science Theater 3000 one of my favorite shows of all time. I love a good bad movie.

But just because I don't care for horror movies doesn't mean you can't enjoy them.

-CryptoLutheran

fatherforgivethem said:

I'm pretty new to all of it so I don't know exactly what you mean because I believed in God and Jesus but I didn't follow everything correctly, basically I was not dedicated, I just started correctly following Jesus and going to church like 5 months ago or so. I'm still reading the Bible and I'm not finished yet.
So... when I was a baby I was baptized on catholic church, but today I'm not catholic, I frequent a baptist church and every sunday there is a moment where the pastor says "if you want to give your life and accept Jesus as your saviour, come here in front of everyone", then he prays together with all church for us, and I already did that. They also baptize, where you are immerse in water by the pastor, but I haven't done that yet, but I want to. I need to talk to him. So what you mean about being "born-again", is it just accepting Jesus into my life or baptizing in church?

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The topic of your thread isn't baptism. But I do want to give you a heads up that depending on the tradition/denomination, there will be differences of opinion on the subject of baptism.

From the historic Christian perspective--the perspective of Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc--the ordinary means by which we are born again from God is through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Thus when you received Baptism as an infant you were born again, you received the new birth from God as pure unmerited grace.

Baptism isn't about us making a choice for God, Baptism is about God making His choice of us. In Baptism God publically makes known that you belong to Him. In Baptism you were born anew, received the Holy Spirit, your sins were washed clean by the blood of the once and perfect Lamb who was crucified for you, you were crucified with Christ, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up together with Christ to new life--life in and with Him. By your Baptism you can freely confess and hold true that you are forgiven, Christ died for you, God saves you by His grace, through the faith He has given you.

Baptism isn't done for God's benefit. Baptism is for your benefit. Jesus did not instruct His Church to baptize because getting wet somehow wins God over--God comes down and meets you in your Baptism to take hold of you, unite Jesus Christ and all that He did to you. You are baptized, that makes you a child of God, an heir of God, a joint-heir with Christ. Jesus is your Lord, Jesus is your Savior, Jesus is your Comfort and your Peace. You can take hold of that, in faith, not on account of anything you have done; but because of what Jesus has done for you.

Your Baptist church, however, will not accept your baptism because the Baptist tradition does not recognize the baptism of infants as valid; and as such would expect you to receive their version of Baptism.

I would say do not get re-"baptized", there is no reason to do so. You have already been baptized, you have already received the new birth from above, by the power, grace, and marvelous working of God in your life by His pure and unmerited mercy--as pure and unconditional gift completely and utterly apart from all of your works. He saves you by His grace, as St. Paul says we are saved by grace alone, through the faith which God gives us as a free gift; not by our own efforts--our will, our strength, our power, the things we say, think, feel, or do--so that none may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore do not put your faith in human works which fail, but rather put your faith in the God who says to you that you belong to Him, and did so in your baptism when you were still a tiny helpless baby.

You belong to Christ, that is your peace and comfort and hope. Cling to Him, He is yours and you are His.

-CryptoLutheran

fatherforgivethem said:

I can't help myself and stop thinking about it, even though I already got into a conclusion for it, I keep questioning myself "what if your conclusion is ok for you but wrong for God?"... maybe this is because of my frequent OCD and intrusive thoughts...?


So, the point is: can movies/books/series/games/etc with specific subjects be a sin to read/watch? Even if you KNOW for SURE that it is totally fictional, you don't let yourself or anything in your life get affected negatively by it and know the truth and follow Jesus, God and Bible, can it still be a sin to watch/read for just entertainment?

Let me give you an example on what I mean about "specific subjects": Lovecraft's stories.
For those who don't know, just a small resume: Lovecraft is a writer of horror fiction that lived 100 ago. Until today, his works are "important" and very influent on modern stories of any sort (books, movies, etc).
But the point is about his stories. He wrote "cosmic horror" and is around the fear of the unkown. His stories are always about old and ancient creatures that can be so powerful that some can be considered "semi-god" or even more than that. The most popular one, that you probably heard about is Cthulhu.
But after all, it's just fiction and entertainment. Even if you argue it is for sure wrong using Philippians 4:8, I don't think it is valid because it's just entertainment, just a book, right? Even then, maybe you can classify it as "excellent" because it is a good and entertaining story. What's your thoughts on this versicle about it?


This example of Lovecraft is only an example, you can also substitute for greek mithology *(and its many adaptations into entertainment), series/movies that have demons as a subject, anyway, you can use many examples on it.

What is your overall look and thoughts about this kind of entertainment?

Click to expand...

Hi,

It depends, if it brothers you don't do it. Since you have OCD you'll have to know when your thoughts go wild and you just can't let things go. I enjoy horror and even Lovecraft though I haven't read a lot from him though his influence can be felt in everything from horror (of course ) to even Marvel and the DCEU I hear. What I am trying to get into Christian Horror and I even have an idea for a story myself. Getting back to your OP as long as you understand it is not real I say personally it's okay