Question about entertainment

[Mr_E]

Is it wrong for us to watch movies that are full of violence and evil, such as "The Ring," or even a movie like "Lord of the Ring." I am also wondering the same about video games. Games today are very graphic and realistic. I have been told that imagining yourself carrying out the act of committing a sin is as bad as actually committing one. If you are going around killing people in games, wouldn't that be the same as imagining you were doing it? It also seems wrong to get enjoyment out of watching violent things happen to people in movies or games. Does anybody know of any verses that would apply to this?

 

[DawnTillery]

There is a verse that may help you
Mark 7:15- There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. Matthew 15:18 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. I dont know your age, but I do watch what my children are watching on tv, because violence is not a good item for them to watch.
As an adult, I can understand that there may be violence and chose to ignore that part of the movie or understand its just a movie and its not real.
I do really think its the things that you see that will defile you, but the things you allow to come out of you.
I look at it this way for my children 1 bad violent act can take away the 100 good/honest acts they just seen, thats all it takes.
For adults we are more realistic about movies, where kids cant be.

I do not go out searching for violence in movies to watch, id rather not watch them.

 

[AvgJoe]

For a Christian, the question is not so much "is watching this movie a sin?" but "is this something that Jesus would want me to do?" The Bible tells us that many things are permitted, but not all things are beneficial or constructive (1 Corinthians 10:23). It also says that whatever we say or do (or watch) should be done to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are to put our mind on things that are noble and pure (Philippians4:8). If - and this is a big if - we can watch a movie or TV program that contains questionable content AND still be in agreement with these commands from the Bible, I do not see a wrong in this.

The danger lies in (1) how what we are watching affects our heart and (2) how it affects others. For ourselves, if the scene we see brings a feeling of lust, anger, or hatred, then we have sinned (Matthew 5:22,28). For others, it can be a stumbling block to someone that is struggling with a habit or behavior that is coming between them and God (1 Corinthians 10:25-33, Romans 14:13). As members of the body of Christ we are to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14) and an holy example of what God has done in our life (1 Peter 2:11,12).

So how do we know for sure what is beneficial? When we become a follower of Christ we are given His Holy Spirit to live in us (Acts 2:38, 2Timothy 1:14). Jesus tells us that this Spirit will guide us in the truth (John 16:13). One way God's Spirit guides us is by our conscience (Romans 1:12, 9:1). If your conscience is telling you that what you are watching is wrong, it probably is.

 

[Radagast]

Great post by AvgJoe!

It seems to me that "The Lord of the Rings" can indeed be watched to the glory of God (it is a Christian-influenced film).

Some other movies seem to have no benefit though...

-- Radagast

 

[Sketcher]

There is a verse that may help you
Mark 7:15- There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. Matthew 15:18 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

You're on the right track by looking to the Bible, but you didn't choose the right verses. Those are actually in the context of food and not wahing your hands before you eat. Jesus is basically saying that bacteria won't make you more or less sinful. He is talking about what goes into your body. The question here is what ought to go into your mind.

What we need to watch out of is what the song, TV show, or movie says to us and promotes inside of us. For example, sexually explicit material will definitely cause us to lust, and lust is a sin, so we avoid that. If God is trying to teach you one thing and your favorite show is pulling you the other way, He'll let you know that. For example, He's trying to teach me to be less selfish right now. And what do I have to do? Give up my favorite video game because in that game, you have to be selfish to survive. I'm not going to say that video games, or even this game in particular is wrong. In fact, this is a game that many parents would rightly find suitable for their children since you won't find any profanity, gore, or language. But in this chapter of my life, it is a sin for me.

Some verses I think are applicable:

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" - 1 Cor 15:33
This verse was written to those whose faith was being influenced by those who were false teachers. He said to separate from what was influencing their minds, those being the false teachers. And a false teaching can be in a book or movie as well as a person. So if there is anything false pulling you, or influencing you and you sense it is from what you watch, listen to, or read, separate!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " - Hebrews 12:1
Not everything that slows you down spiritually is black-and-white sin, such as the video game I mentioned earlier. If it pulls you away from God's leading, pitch it.

"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." - Phillipians 4:8
Christians have misused this verse - True, we do need to police what we take in, but they fail to remember that this verse is as much an encouragement as it is a command. Paul wasn't talking like an angry dad here, he was very joyful when he wrote this book. So we should listen to this verse, but not take it to a legalistic extreme. Because I have found if I look for trouble, trouble will consume my mind. I'll be so busy looking for things that might be wrong, I'll see something wrong in something that is quite possibly innocent. The point is to dwell on good, clean stuff. Laugh. Remember good times and stories. Dwell on wholesome truths. Don't focus on the negative so much that it defeats the purpose of the verse. If it's raunchy, do away with it and let that be that.

So the short answer is, it really depends on how the entertainment affects you. If all you can dwell on when you've wached "Lord of the Rings" is Saruman's magic, then don't watch it. If you dwell on the lessons of good and evil, and what good can be learned from it, watch away. (BTW, the wizards in LOTR are more symbolic of lesser angels, and their "magic" is more like their inherent power. Not the real sorcery that depends on Satan and demons for its power. But if it still gets to you or tempts you, do not watch it.)

 

[superfly]

good post!

i agree with you. whenever you watch a movie, or play a game, or something, ask yourself that question that was a rage a while back, but everyone is now forgetting... "what would Jesus do?"

another thing you have to do is to ask yourself if you are glorifying God while you're doing what you're doing. do you think God is getting any glory from your behaviour?

personally, i don't watch movies with sex, nudity or bad language in them. that's just not what Jesus would do, and it certainly isn't glorifying God when i sit in the theatre. violence i will handle to a certain extent, but usually i don't watch movies rated higher than about 13 for violence, that's plenty violent for me.

some verses to help guide you:

Romans 15:5-7:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
emphasis is mine

Colossians 3:1-8:
Rules for Holy Living
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

 

[Mr_E]

I just wanted to thank you guys for what you wrote. It was very helpful!