Is it wrong to read books by Stephen King ? and other issues too

[TexasBluebonnet]

I'm really trying to get serious about my relationship with God and drawing closer and everything and lately that seems to mean reevaluating all of my forms of entertainment. Now, I know that scary movies really aren't that great but what about other things? Like:

1. Stephen King
2. Buffy
3. House (the tv show)

among others. I mean, should I be watching a tv show about an angry drug using doctor? Or reading things by Stephen King no matter how good he is? Is this stuff causing me to be a weaker Christian? I want to clear away all of the clutter that's hampering my relationship with God. I need help and advice on those things. Thanks.

 

[hsilgne]

No. I do not think it is wrong. I mean there is a limit - right? I'm not sure what "house" is but I've read Kings books and I think they are great. There is nothing wrong with entertaining yourself with good fiction within boundaries of course(pornos and the like are another thing).

Now, with that said, it is really a personal thing. If you are feeling that these types of activities are hindering your relationship with God then perhaps you need to lay off for a while.

But I don't think we ought to just state "thou shalt not read horror books or watch horror films".

It's entertainment. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

[Monarchist]

Yes it is wrong, if that is all you are reading and watching. Balance it out a bit. You probably do anyway.
I love House.

 

[fanatiquefou]

Nope, I don't think any of those things are wrong. I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but I do love Buffy and House. I think that generally things like that are as dangerous as you let them be. If you find yourself becoming obsessed, then that's not normal for anyone and I'd suggest backing off a bit. But if you just enjoy Stephen King and want some fun reading, then go for it.

Of course, I'm a librarian, so I'm pretty gung-ho on books and reading in general. Again, books and ideas aren't dangerous unless you let them be.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Hi how do you feel when you watch these shows or read the books? If you feel uncomfortable, don't do it. If you don't, then pray and think about the effects they have on you...really, you know everything by its 'fruit'! It's very helpful to read and watch things that encourage you to goodness and the 'fruits of the Spirit'. If you find that these things don't have any positive, Godly influence in your life, think about the reasons you like them. If they have a negative effect, give them up. If they don't have any influence, neither positive nor negative, but are 'just fun', I think it's alright.

It's really something you'll have to figure out by yourself By the way, that's awesome that you want to get closer to God!


God bless


monica

 

[ephraimanesti]

I'm really trying to get serious about my relationship with God and drawing closer and everything and lately that seems to mean reevaluating all of my forms of entertainment. Now, I know that scary movies really aren't that great but what about other things? Like:

1. Stephen King
2. Buffy
3. House (the tv show)

among others. I mean, should I be watching a tv show about an angry drug using doctor? Or reading things by Stephen King no matter how good he is? Is this stuff causing me to be a weaker Christian? I want to clear away all of the clutter that's hampering my relationship with God. I need help and advice on those things. Thanks.

MY DEAR SISTER,

If you are indeed wanting "to clear away all the clutter" that is keeping you from a deeper relationship with God, than anything which does not further that relationship in some way becomes "clutter" to be disposed of. As Saint Paul said, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial." (I Cor 6:12)

"Fun entertainment" is used to "kill time" by people with nothing better to do. If you are seeking a fuller, deeper relationship with God, then you have MUCH BETTER things to do, and every minute is precious. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15, 16)

i think you already knew the answer or the Holy Spirit wouldn't have opened your eyes to the question.

i WISH YOU LUCK IN YOUR QUEST!

IN CHRIST'S LOVE,
ephraim

 

[soldoutdancer4]

i agree with monica. i had to stop reading this series of books that i read like a million times because my feelings when reading them were negative instead of positive.

 

[TexasBluebonnet]

Hi how do you feel when you watch these shows or read the books? If you feel uncomfortable, don't do it. If you don't, then pray and think about the effects they have on you...really, you know everything by its 'fruit'! It's very helpful to read and watch things that encourage you to goodness and the 'fruits of the Spirit'. If you find that these things don't have any positive, Godly influence in your life, think about the reasons you like them. If they have a negative effect, give them up. If they don't have any influence, neither positive nor negative, but are 'just fun', I think it's alright.

It's really something you'll have to figure out by yourself By the way, that's awesome that you want to get closer to God!


God bless


monica

Well, actually I feel fine. I mean they don't make me feel uncomfortable. Well with one exception. I'm just kind of concerned that his writing is too gory and there's the thing that kinda bothers me, it's the use of God's name in not nice ways. I mean, I overlook those passages. I don't read them even in my head, but I don't like that he does that. Personally, I think books should come with ratings like the movies do to warn of what's inside. I guess that's why I was asking. I don't know, what do you think?

MY DEAR SISTER,

If you are indeed wanting "to clear away all the clutter" that is keeping you from a deeper relationship with God, than anything which does not further that relationship in some way becomes "clutter" to be disposed of. As Saint Paul said, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial." (I Cor 6:12)

"Fun entertainment" is used to "kill time" by people with nothing better to do. If you are seeking a fuller, deeper relationship with God, then you have MUCH BETTER things to do, and every minute is precious. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15, 16)

i think you already knew the answer or the Holy Spirit wouldn't have opened your eyes to the question.

i WISH YOU LUCK IN YOUR QUEST!

IN CHRIST'S LOVE,
ephraim

Thank you Ephraim. You always give good, clear advice. I really appreciate your thoughts in this. I think that you're probably right. I'm trying to be more aware of what I'm doing in my "free" time that might be too distracting. I guess I just keep thinking that if I were remove everything that while not really bad, didn't help with my spiritual life, I'd be better off. Thanks for the help.

i agree with monica. i had to stop reading this series of books that i read like a million times because my feelings when reading them were negative instead of positive.

Yeah. I had to do that too with certain music. So I know what you're talking about. I guess this is something I'll have to pray about. Thanks for the post.

 

[Elijah2]

Much of Stephen King's work deals with the occult, but it also give a religious sense of good and evil, light and darkness, and at times acknowledges the existence of God, which is no different to any other religion or false religion.

It becomes obvious that King doesn't consider himself a Christian, and believes in God, nor in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now to read his books is only opening yourself up to seduction, deception, and doubt. Now, all three are of the enemy, and not of His Kingdom.

I would advise that you keep away from his books, because you will get wrong ideas who are in our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that you are a Child of God, a believer of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Stephen King is a non-believer.

If you begin to read books that have only half truths, then you will be half a Christian.

But, Stepehn King's books have no truth, but fantasy, and doctrine that can only caused you many doubts later on in your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please don't think I am a fuddy-duddy, but if you can't listen to wisdom and advice then you will suffer whatever consequences for your gullibility and complacency.

The enemy roams around like a roaring lion ready to devour anyone who is prepared to take their Armour off. You take your Armour off, then look out, because those darts will slide under your Breastplate of Righteousness.

 

[Robinsegg]

All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial.

We are also to look to things that are pure, good, of good report, etc. and think on them.

Is it necessarily wrong to consume worldly entertainment? I don't think so. But you do need to be mindful of how (if it does) it might effect your thought patterns and behaviors.

Rachel

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Well, actually I feel fine. I mean they don't make me feel uncomfortable. Well with one exception. I'm just kind of concerned that his writing is too gory and there's the thing that kinda bothers me, it's the use of God's name in not nice ways. I mean, I overlook those passages. I don't read them even in my head, but I don't like that he does that. Personally, I think books should come with ratings like the movies do to warn of what's inside. I guess that's why I was asking. I don't know, what do you think?

Hi This is something that bothers me too sometimes, in movies. The problem with both the violence and the use of God's name is that even if you don't like it, it sort of pollutes your mind. God is trying to renew our minds to help us live godly lives, and these things do the opposite. Maybe if you just avoid those parts in the books, then it's alright... however, I should add that it's always good to avoid temptation.

"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 praiseworthy—think about such things." (Phil. 4:8)

God bless.

monica

 

[jive4005]

Perhaps not "wrong", probably not beneficial.

Only you know if it's wrong for you.
God does say that whatever you think, you're gonna be! (I'm paraphrasing... did you notice?). Be careful what you put into your brain (think, read, music, movies, books, advice, gossip, etc). For me, if it isn't light, funny or feeding my spirit... I give it a pass.

God bless
His,
Rev J

Ps:You must not get your excitment from and should not feed any of your evil desires (fear, loathing, hate, evil, belittlement, suspition, etc.)

 

[mrscplus]

At the christian bookstore I used to work at, we had a sign on the wall..."What goes into the mind, comes out in the life".

The longer I am away from secular horror, and I was a huge fan - the more at peace I am when I finish a book.
I read a secual book recently, and kept looking for the biblical life lesson, and was disappointed when I didn't find it.

I have no problem with reading non-faith based books, but I am careful about topics, and the nature of the book.

when I read the Davinci code, I was in reseach mode, so that I could have informed conversation, it was not entertainment.

We need to guard what is feeding our thoughts. If the warning bells go off that perhaps this is not what I should be doing, stop.

 

[fanatiquefou]

I read a secual book recently, and kept looking for the biblical life lesson, and was disappointed when I didn't find it.

I far prefer books that don't try to hit me over the head with a blatantly obvious "biblical life lesson", myself.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

At the christian bookstore I used to work at, we had a sign on the wall..."What goes into the mind, comes out in the life".

wow I go to a Christian bookstore that has this sign on the wall! Maybe we're talking about the same bookstore? Because that would be an interesting coincidence!

 

[Geshorse]

I'm really trying to get serious about my relationship with God and drawing closer and everything and lately that seems to mean reevaluating all of my forms of entertainment. Now, I know that scary movies really aren't that great but what about other things? Like:

1. Stephen King
2. Buffy
3. House (the tv show)

among others. I mean, should I be watching a tv show about an angry drug using doctor? Or reading things by Stephen King no matter how good he is? Is this stuff causing me to be a weaker Christian? I want to clear away all of the clutter that's hampering my relationship with God. I need help and advice on those things. Thanks.

Let me start this off with an old saying: When in doubt, don't.

I'm going through the same thing: I really want to see POTC (the first one), but I feel like I shouldn't for various reasons (curses and such). So, I myself am debating on this.

The best thing to do is pray, for as long as you need to until you feel that God has given you an answer. You'll know when you get the answer.

Another idea is to check Christian sites that rate movies and such, like Plugged In.

Then, of course, obey! Although I really want to see Pirates, I've promised myself that if God says no, it's no. (That's why at the same time I'm praying to God that He will approve! Lol!!!)

PM me anytime.

-Grace

 

[TexasBluebonnet]

Let me start this off with an old saying: When in doubt, don't.

I'm going through the same thing: I really want to see POTC (the first one), but I feel like I shouldn't for various reasons (curses and such). So, I myself am debating on this.

The best thing to do is pray, for as long as you need to until you feel that God has given you an answer. You'll know when you get the answer.

Another idea is to check Christian sites that rate movies and such, like Plugged In.

Then, of course, obey! Although I really want to see Pirates, I've promised myself that if God says no, it's no. (That's why at the same time I'm praying to God that He will approve! Lol!!!)

PM me anytime.

-Grace

Hi Grace. I love that name by the way. I agree that at times it's hard to know what to do. Like for instance, there are some who say Harry Potter is bad, and then I hear that it's okay and I wonder if I'm being a fuddy duddy or something. It's really confusing. But you're right. The best way to know is to pray. And of course after to do what's right. It's one thing to pray but you have to obey when you get an answer; especially when it's one you didn't want to hear, lol. Pray and obey. I'm not sure that gets any easier. We want what we want and at times it's hard to do what's right. I've actually seen POTC. I know what you mean about it. The movie contents are...well kinda dark at times. Nothing really overt, but yeah there is that whole curse thing so you're probably better off waiting to hear from God about it. It's good that you're doing that. Most people wouldn't. Thanks for the website too. I didn't know about it, and so I'll definitely have to check it out. Thanks.

~Isobel

 

[Geshorse]

No problemo.

Thank-YOU!

 

[micbmac]

I think that it is wrong for the simple fact that just about if not everything he writes about is evil and goes against God. Just my opinion. Not only that but a lot of his endings are bad and I love happy endings. I know this because as a teenager i was intrigued by all the horror novels and movies out there. Now, as an adult I realize how they remove you from God and fill your mind w/what I consider trash.

 

[fanatiquefou]

I think that it is wrong for the simple fact that just about if not everything he writes about is evil and goes against God. Just my opinion. Not only that but a lot of his endings are bad and I love happy endings. I know this because as a teenager i was intrigued by all the horror novels and movies out there. Now, as an adult I realize how they remove you from God and fill your mind w/what I consider trash.

But are you saying it's wrong for you, or are you saying it's wrong for everyone?