Am I a hypocrite?

[MissH84]

This feels very "I need to take out the plank from my own eye before I can remove the sawdust in someone else's eye".

I know someone who calls himself a Christian but he watches po*n because he says it's just entertainment and that he doesn't watch it for lustful reasons.
I don't understand how a Christian can think it's ok and not a big deal to watch that stuff. I have watched it in the past and there's been times when I fell into temptation and watched it again but I felt guilt and shame afterwards and it's been a long time since the last time.

Now, this is where I might be a hypocrite: I watch TV shows with supernatural content (demons, witchcraft etc). My favourites are Buffy, The Vampire Diaries and Charmed (I'm specifically mentioning the supernatural ones).
It feels like watching those is more just entertainment but watching po*n is sinful.

I rarely watch those shows but sometimes I do.
What are your takes on this?

 

[Unqualified]

I suppose we all have something and can’t condemn others. There is a huge porn problem in the church. People are addicted and can’t get free. There’s no excuse and I don’t know what Jesus will do. If you have a problem don’t hang out with that guy at his house. Many of them feel alone and rejected, they need a solid friend that doesn’t look at it. But I’d you are tempted…. You can’t judge but you don’t have to approve of it. It is the same you stop your sin if you can even attempt to help another with there’s. Do they have sex scenes on the super natural shows? All TV is a transfusion from the devil.

Lust is a weak point in people nowadays. It’s everywhere. But you can’t judge live a holy life. Just don’t go there. Prayer works against addictions. I hear they have rehab now for porn addictions. But I agree it’s not good. The world the flesh and the devil draw you in. But resist and the devil will flee. Don’t sit in the seat of the scornful. Don’t have bad companions for the will corrupt bad manners. But those who are spiritual restore such a one, being mindful of yourself. But never open the door to that flesh. The devil has blinded your buddy. Stay free of that sin, or drugs, or alcohol or pot. These will weaken yo to debauchery. Which we are seeing more of. Beep!

 

[NBB]

Porn destroys your communion with God, and if he thinks its ok, thats worse, watching Buffy or something i don't think is a big deal.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

This feels very "I need to take out the plank from my own eye before I can remove the sawdust in someone else's eye".

I know someone who calls himself a Christian but he watches po*n because he says it's just entertainment and that he doesn't watch it for lustful reasons.
I don't understand how a Christian can think it's ok and not a big deal to watch that stuff. I have watched it in the past and there's been times when I fell into temptation and watched it again but I felt guilt and shame afterwards and it's been a long time since the last time.

Now, this is where I might be a hypocrite: I watch TV shows with supernatural content (demons, witchcraft etc). My favourites are Buffy, The Vampire Diaries and Charmed (I'm specifically mentioning the supernatural ones).
It feels like watching those is more just entertainment but watching po*n is sinful.

I rarely watch those shows but sometimes I do.
What are your takes on this?

Others have commented on the other Christian's challenge ... To go back to your question - yes, it's good to remove any timber bits out of your own eye first. IMHO as a believer you have to stay away from any TV/movie content where the supernatural/witchcraft/spirits play an major role or are even 'celebrated'. The Bible is clear you have to stay away from that - it contaminates and troubles your spiritual life.

Maybe the only exception are stories where clearly evil is overcome by good (e.g. The Rite or The Lord of the Rings). Why are some people drawn towards Horror / Thrillers with a supernatural bent? It may signal an underlying need for the spiritual or addiction to adrenaline to silence other emotions. Exorcism is real, it's not a joke or entertainment.

When occasionally I stumble into content that makes me think twice I can quickly tell if the vibe promotes evil or good.

 

[NBB]

I believe movies and games, can have a dark world with bad things happening, if the overall message is positive. Is like the real world anyway, bad things happen.

 

[Unqualified]

We are supposed to judge ourselves whether any evil thing dwells in us. Because we know but sometimes we like our sin. But don’t stop growing because you want to watch a program. Sometimes we tend to dwell in our flesh and satisfy it and include spiritual things like the Lord. It’s not for nothing He says don’t be ruled by the flesh. Deny yourself for the sake of your witness and watch a better program or get a hobby or read, or go to small group. Be encouraged by these suggestions not taken away from.

 

[NBB]

I think watching movies and games, unless there is too much ugly stuff, or corn, is not bad, is a case, of having a strong or weak conscience, is not a sin i believe if you are firm in your beliefs. I enjoy a lot of music that is not christian, good music can inspire me to think things of Jesus or about life too.

Corn is very ugly stuff though, i was free 4 years ago totally of that, and i lived with fear. I don't want to go back to that.

 

[AMOG]

I think Paul gives us a good perspective on questions like this when he says (and I paraphrase) "If it separates you from God, it is a sin to you".

But don't judge others for things that don't hinder their relationship with God. It's not any of our place to do that. Take care of your relationship with God, love everybody else.

 

[bèlla]

The longer we remain in sin without repentance the more desensitized we become. If he believes it’s okay the prick will get smaller until he no longer hears. At that point the Lord will allow satan to have his way for a time until he brings us to our senses. Which usually involves something painful or scandalous.

This is why the bible warns us not to awaken love before its time. Once the faucet is on it’s hard to shut it off and your body is assailed. Pray for the Lord’s conviction on his behalf and deliverance from the spirit of lust and perversion. It opens you up to a lot of things that defile and affects your appetite as well.

Women are beginning to complain because men are asking for things they see on the screen. And that’s not appropriate for a wife. There are lot of ministries that help with this. But prayer is a must because it’s hard to break.

~bella

 

[Sabertooth]

Owning our own sin (with repentance) helps us to get the proper humility needed when exhorting others. Those who caught the woman in adultery were technically correct, but they were not right.

A person who is "washed" is going to be much more convicting than a hypocrite because of the Presence of the Holy Spirit in their life.

 

[peaceful-forest]

I know someone who calls himself a Christian but he watches po*n because he says it's just entertainment and that he doesn't watch it for lustful reasons.
I don't understand how a Christian can think it's ok and not a big deal to watch that stuff.

My opinion - he is lying about why he's watching this. How can it be entertaining? I've heard from others that women in these types of films are usually trafficked in. There are even quotes from producers of those types of films of why they make this stuff (they do it to be hateful against God).

Now, this is where I might be a hypocrite: I watch TV shows with supernatural content (demons, witchcraft etc). My favourites are Buffy, The Vampire Diaries and Charmed (I'm specifically mentioning the supernatural ones).
It feels like watching those is more just entertainment but watching po*n is sinful.

I don't consider you watching supernatural shows to be the same as him watching adult movies.

 

[Sabertooth]

My opinion - he is lying about why he's watching this. How can it be entertaining?

I would not say he is lying (about its immediate appeal), but he is lying about its long-term, spiritual effects; much like actually participating in illicit sexual activity.