Is this Pharisaical...abstaining from certain movies and music?

dont watch.... such movies defile a man. People who want to see such movies really need to check on their relationship with God. Who can know God and go watch such abominations as some movies are? how can we go from the Holy presence of God to the filthy movie house and not be bothered?

tease movies are blasphemy, and even movies labeled "Christian" . There are good movies worth watching and edifying, we need discernment.

check out www.hollywoodandgod.com

Brother, there's nothing pharisaiacal about separating yourself [i]from[/i] the filth of the world and [i]unto[/i] the joy of Almighty God. That's called "holiness," and it's the fruit of a regenerate, Spirit-filled life.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that fall away; it shall not cling to me."
Psalm 101:3

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:4

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
1 John 2:15-16

Another very impacting verse is found in Romans 1:32:
"Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

In Romans 1 Paul sets out to condemn the entire human race, describing in detail the wickedness and perversions of man. Now we get to the last verse, where Paul describes those who are not only wicked themselves, but take pleasure in (another translation says "approve of") those who do these things.
Now think about it--you may not be a murderer, or rapist, or practice fornication or homosexuality, but when you entertain yourself by watching these shameful acts on television or movies you are taking pleasure in (and in effect approving of) them--the very things for which Jesus had to die.
I would have some serious concerns about anyone who can pray, praise, and worship the Lord on sunday and another day laugh about the very things that God hates.

But...sigh...ain't that a normal characteristic of "christianity" today.

Let's continue to pray for a genuine move of God...

Hope this helped, God bless.

...Oh yea, and a very powerful, life-changing sermon that deals with this subject is [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=14249&commentView=itemComments](The Glory of God) in Moral Purity by Paul Washer[/url]. I would definately recommend it.

I fully agree,,
I finding that their is no shame in our sins?
Is there no weeping over what God hates?

It so we wouldn't even think about seeing 95% of moive we do. My heart is weak with tears of how many sister and brother love these wicked moives. I say WICKED, because sin is sin. Can we make little of Sin Because we enjoy it? Sin Is Sin? Yes a little will make its ways through the whole thing...And sin all the way around is wicked? We have been fooled to enjoy what the satan had given for the world. we are not of the world. I think it is more then time. It is our hearts, for Christ. Our sin that we have made little of. We have been made blind and a sleep. When we start to see the great wickedness of sin, how then can we enjoy seeing it? There is a thing called holiness which many say they want, but few are willing to really die for it. Is their not pride in our hearts when we want our way, more then God way? Do we love the worlds moives? We are very proud people. Who want to throw our moives away? I say are we not to hate what God hates, How then can God love what dishonors him? How can God love sin? But again who wants to be holy? Why would we want to have such evil in our homes? This about the Holy God and his Holiness
and he say Be holy for I am holy.
God said he took us out of the world, not to be part of it. Many are in sin by the moives they see weekly. Is it right to see a sister and brother seeing such things and say nothing?

I think we are to holy fighter for Holiness throwing away with out thought the things God hates. Fleeing from all evil.. are we not?
I think hardest things is taking these things of holiness and applying them to our lives?

in his love
charlene

In AD 70 when the Temple was destroyed the Pharisee's fled to Yavneh (Jamnia) and started what we know today as Rabbinic Judaism. The main component of a Pharisee is that they make a pretense that they know God and do not [i]know[/i] or [i]want[/i] Him at all. They make clean the outside of the cup- but inwardly they were full of wickedness. They had a 'form' of godliness, but they denied the power thereof. They have said that it is "not in Heaven". This means that they are conducting their religion based on the Book and it's commentaries and need no input from God.

To answer the question directly I would say that just because a person does [i]not[/i] go to movies- it does not mean they are 'holy'. They could still be a Pharisee because they are doing the outward religion- but God is not welcome in their life. They want to come off as pious- but they have told God to get lost by their conduct.

The reason Christians ought not subject themselves to these things is because we have a responsibility to protect our relationship with God from things that would grieve the Holy Spirit and drive God away (See Ezekiel 8). God will not hang around in a filthy heart no matter how much a person prays for forgiveness. We come to God by the blood of Christ- but we do not ask God to apply the blood to areas of our life that we refuse to forsake and are open abomination to Him.

Revival is when God comes. When God comes we have revival. We have to be prepared for God to arrive. We have to forsake things in our lives that drives Him far from us. Not for the sake of looking holy or boasting of our holiness- but that God would come and tabernacle inside of us. That is what makes a Christian a Christian. That is what separates us from the world. Not that we keep a bunch of rules- but that God's presence is upon us. We can keep the rules and make God unwelcome at the same time. This is a Pharisee.

I've been blessed by several of these posts. Here are some more verses that came to me,

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
2 Corinthians 7:1

"Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
Romans 12:9

How can I abhor something that I watch for entertainment's sake? How can I perfect holiness while taking pleasure in what is unholy?

The detail that most appalls me is that movies are not simply fictional fantasy; hundreds of actors and directors, stage crew, etc. really do sin to make that blasphemous scene. They really are cursing on that sound stage. They really are undressing and fornicating, and taking pleasure in depicting brutality. And God really hates it as much now as when they made the movie. He hates it while believers and false converts watch such disgusting garbage. I am ashamed of myself, for what my eyes have seen since I met Christ.

I am very blessed and encouraged to see that everybody that has posted on this topic has been of one mind and one spirit that such movies are not of God. WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH DARKNESS?

I must go one step further as well to point out this scripture.

2ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

If you put this scripture in the context in which it was written, it is talking about false doctrines not dirty jokes. But I believe such ungodly humor easily falls under the category of profane as well.

So with this I must conclude, it is wrong not to shun them for their actions if they call themselves Christians. The bible says to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness.

Consider what happened in this story in Judges Chapters 19 & 20.

So with this I must conclude, it is wrong not to shun them for their actions if they call themselves Christians. The bible says to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness.

One of the things I have found is the need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as I try to navigate in ministry. Sometimes we are looking at what a person watches or listens to and feel the need to confront that problem, when in reality it is symptomatic of a much larger issue.

It has been my experience that certain things vex me and I abstain from them. Other things are more of a temptation and I have to guard myself against them. When I am walking close to God and am in perpetual personal revival all of these things work themselves out. The Holy Spirit is at work bringing my life in toe.

However, no amount of 'do's' and 'don'ts' will make a person spiritual if they don't want God. It will only make a religious person that finds fulfillment in their exaltedness over others. They will be gratified not by the presence of God in their life- but by how they regard themselves as better than others.

Robertw,

You have lots of wisdom in what you said. I can tell that you have been with the lord for a while by what you said. This revelation of spiritual superiority came to me after 3 years of walking with the lord. And i got it the hard way, because I did regard myself better than others spiritually. A swift lesson on pride comes before a fall quickly did away with that sin! :)

Thank you for bringing balance to my post.

God bless!

Here is a sermon which is titled...

Living for Self or Living for Christ

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/3742.mp3

This sermon is taken from Charity Christian Fellowship of Ephrata Pa. Two of the speaker for the upcoming Revival Conference come from this church.

In Christ
Jeff

Dear reformer!

Can I read the article? :-)

God bless you!
Jonathan

Dear sister Lisa,

Why would telling other people that you won't see a movie be pharisaical? Or do you literary mean 'everyone'? In that case I can imagine.

Thanks! :)
Jonathan

welcome back Krispy :-)

The word says Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

and this verse is to me a great warning to not go "back" and enjoy the world or sin

2Pe 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

and this one is also scary

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

so how is it with you? do you love the world? worldly movies? worldly company ? you better check on things with your relationship with Jesus.

when people call other for legalist or pharisee, many times it may be accurate, many times it just to justify ones "friendship" with the world.

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

so how is it with you? do you love the world? worldly movies? worldly company ? you better check on things with your relationship with Jesus.

The essence of all compromise... just a little bit of Egypt.

No, their is a five dollar cover charge? renewed every month!! :-P

You have to pay for that stuff too?! nvm :-)

When I posted that it was wrong not to shun the "Christians" that watched these movies. RobertW was very correct in saying that you should be sensitive to the spirit and also be careful not to become proud in your own spirituality.

I have thought about this a little over the last couple days. This scripture came to my mind.

Ezekial 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Eze 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

Now before I start catching stones accusing me of spiritual pride and arrogance. Or accusations of harshness. Please stop to consider the point. If you love a person, will you not warn them? If you can preach the warning using actions and not words thats great. But, one way or another, preach the message.

You know, we are called to be the light of the world. And the bible says "whatsoever doth make manifest is light." If you think minding your own business and letting people figure it out for themselves is being light and love, you are wrong. And their blood is on your hands. Especially if they consider themselves part of the fellowship of Christ.

Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather * * reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

What's worse is that they do this shame openly and there are some who would say I am proud or judgmental for speaking out against it.

What's worse is that they do this shame openly and there are some who would say I am proud or judgmental for speaking out against it.

I think the problem is that the folk cannot [i]relate[/i] to what you are saying. When people are truly born again of the Spirit they see life completely different. I mean, it is like daylight and dark. Some things are foolishness because they are spiritually discerned.

If what a person is watching on TV or at the movies is of the spirit of antichrist and it agrees with their spirit- the problem is self evident. You need to keep casting the net, I think. Keep preaching the true Gospel. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in their life and bring them to genuine repentance and faith. Once a person is truely born again- their spirit changes. Where once they agreed with the course of this world- the new creation will NOT agree with it. To preach to them about the sinfulness of modern media is of little benefit in my opinion. They need to be born again and then they will SEE for themselves and won't need to be preached to and micromanaged all the time.