What Kinds of Movies do you Enjoy Watching? What Kinds of Music do you Enjoy Listening To?

If you consider yourself a Christian and the following describes you, I want to share a word of caution with you: you enjoy watching movies which glorify fornication, adultery & lust; movies which contain nudity, profanity/cursing and blasphemy; movies which glorify perverted, wicked behavior; You enjoy listening to music in which the artist sings about and glorifies those same kinds of things. You watch those types of movies and listen to that type of music and have no conviction from the Spirit of God telling you loud and clear, "You have no business watching and listening to that filth!” You continue to entertain yourself with those things and there is no renunciation of them, no turning from them.

If that describes you, I will not say to you that you "may” not be truly saved or born again. Rather, I will say in love that you most certainly are not saved. I will say in love that you are in danger of dying in your sins and ending up in hell. Why am I so certain of that? Because I read in my Bible that when the Spirit of God truly comes to a soul He will convict that soul of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8); I read in my Bible that if anyone is in Christ he/she is a new creation in whom the old has passed and the new has come (2Cor.5:17).

The Spirit of God convicts the truly born again believer of sin to such a degree that it makes him/her uncomfortable to indulge in any known sin. True believers no longer find pleasure in those kinds of things in which they once found pleasure when they followed after the course of this world (Eph. 2:2). Rather, those kinds of things grieve those that are truly converted because they know that those things grieve God; they understand that those kinds of sins are what nailed Jesus to the cross. And as God hates those kinds of sins they too have a hatred for those things which they once loved. And there is a continual turning away from those kinds of sins in the life of every truly converted person.

So if you say you are a Christian yet you do not experience the conviction of the Spirit of God regarding those kinds of sins and you do not have a hatred for those kinds of sins, and you do not continually turn away from those kinds of sins, make no mistake about it, you have been deceived. I hope and pray that this may serve as a wake-up call to anyone who may need it and reads this.

It's amazing how much energy and discussion is dedicated to these issues. I suppose that if Christians were to stop watching all movies and stop listening to all music, then we won't have to worry incessantly about these decisions.

And if we were to all dress in burkas, covering our bodies from head to toe, then there would be no outward cause for lusting.

But none of these can make a person more holy, or less holy. You can have all these rules, but the heart remains just as depraved, wicked, and unloving. Your actions would still be heavily tainted by sin - until you encounter the love and grace of Jesus Christ, who gives you a new heart and makes you a new creation.

And as you lay hold of the reality of being a new creation in Christ, sin loses its power - because you are no longer under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

I've done the "rules" thing in the past - that's the strategy which is usually advocated from my church experience. It got me nowhere in Christian living - I was still hopelessly mired in sinful desires.

But since understanding the gospel reality that holiness is not attained by human striving, but by receiving from Jesus - truth be told, you can place an R-rated magazine before me and I would not lust after it. Being free from the power of sin - that's true freedom.

BTW I found Disney's "Frozen" to be a very thought-provoking movie. Unintentionally an excellent depiction of the gospel, better than many sermons.

Spoilers ahead...

Elsa (one of the protagonists) grows up under rules-based, legalistic living - but that never addresses the root cause of her 'condition' / 'nature'. Eventually, she breaks down and swerves to 'antinomianism' - her "Let It Go" moment.

That doesn't bring her true happiness or fulfillment either, nor does she succeed in taming her 'nature' - until she experiences her sister's sacrificial love.

"Only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart" - Sounds cheesy but hey, it's Disney.

Overall, I found the movie to be a great illustration of how we can swing from antinomianism to legalism and back again. But the grace of Jesus brings us out of that legalism-antinomianism spectrum altogether - it's really a transcendent experience.

The main fault of the movie is that it ought to have penned a new set of lyrics to the "Let It Go" melody when Elsa finally achieves her resolution at the end. The "Let It Go" song was sung during her 'antinomian' phase - great melody with very unhealthy lyrics, and for that reason I would not recommend the cartoon to children.

"Facing the Giants" and any Kirk Cameron film are my favorite movies of all time. Casablanca or Citizen Kane? Blech.

"George Beverly Shea Sings Fanny Crosby" is my favorite album of all time.

Oracio, I have an honest question so we can have an honest discussion.

I don't really watch TV and I mostly listen to Christian or bluegrass music, but this is a subject I constantly wrestle with. There are some areas of my life: lying, cussing, jealousy, bitterness, etc that the Lord has marvelously and miraculously brought about deliverance in my life. Not that temptation doesn't strike but there is victory over the enemy when I engage in battle. There are other areas of my life in which I struggle and wrestle and fight-a lot of times not well. How do I balance this? I learned a long time ago that I should not be watching sinful movies and listening to wicked music and I stopped; but not at the moment of salvation. Do you see what I am asking. How do I balance this?

My favorite movies are generally Bond movies
with Sean Connery, most all Hitchcock movies, almost all Cary Grant movies or Jimmy Stewart movies.

I like jazz guitar music. A lot. Doyle Dykes. U-Nam. George Benson.
I also like the Eagles and George Jones and Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Sr. I like "smooth music" or "yacht rock" mellow pop from the mid 1970s to 1983ish.

havok20x wrote:

Oracio, I have an honest question so we can have an honest discussion.

I don't really watch TV and I mostly listen to Christian or bluegrass music, but this is a subject I constantly wrestle with. There are some areas of my life: lying, cussing, jealousy, bitterness, etc that the Lord has marvelously and miraculously brought about deliverance in my life. Not that temptation doesn't strike but there is victory over the enemy when I engage in battle. There are other areas of my life in which I struggle and wrestle and fight-a lot of times not well. How do I balance this? I learned a long time ago that I should not be watching sinful movies and listening to wicked music and I stopped; but not at the moment of salvation. Do you see what I am asking. How do I balance this?

Brother, it sounds like the Spirit of God has been at work in your heart and life mightily in many areas. Your testimony sounds like a genuine conversion testimony to me. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think your question boils down to, "how and why is it that I have gained many victories in many areas of sin (especially many blatant sins) but I still struggle in certain other areas of sin in my heart and life? Why can’t I get the same victories in those other areas as well at times?”

Well brother, the truth is that there will always be a battle against sin in our hearts and lives as long as we are in these bodies. We will not be completely perfect or sinless this side of heaven. But if there is indeed a fight against sin going on (as opposed to a giving in to sin without a fight), and if we can see the victories that God brings us through in the process of sanctification, we have good reason to believe that He who began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).

My main concern in the OP is for those who cannot testify that there is that real battle going on against sin in their hearts and lives; those who are quick to justify their sinful behavior when warned about it; instead of having a humble and repentant heart about their sin, instead of seeking to confess and forsake their sins. Those are the kinds of professing Christians whose souls I fear for.

That being said, I do want to address this part of your post because we may have a disagreement here:

I learned a long time ago that I should not be watching sinful movies and listening to wicked music and I stopped; but not at the moment of salvation. Do you see what I am asking. How do I balance this?

And they also begin to be convicted of not-so-blatant or obvious sins such as a short temper, worry, etc., and the battle continues.

I think "The Passion of the Christ" is my favorite movie. I cried like a baby when I watched it. Powerful movie, highly recommended if you haven't watched it.

So my favorite movie is Cars. I love kid movies.

But I like reading a lot too, which is every bit as good (or better) than a movie for me, because I have a good imagination. The Leatherstocking Tales are my favorite.

My favorite music is Bluegrass. I play banjo and guitar and fiddle, so I always enjoy some good bluegrass! Also I just love getting together with people and playing. Loads of fun!

Havok-

Explain this one- I pretty much can't stand country music but I really like bluegrass.

I listen to a lot of ambient music and I recently found a band that uses banjo which to me is really cool:

http://youtu.be/nJFEWBS1JVE

Here is a quick listing of some of my favorite movies and why I shouldn't like them:

Braveheart- oops Mel is a catholic

It’s a Wonderful Life- oops people don’t become angels

Casablanca- oops Bogey smoked and drank too much

Saving Private Ryan-oops too much violence

Signs- oops Mel again

Lawrence of Arabia- oops Lawrence may have been a homosexual

It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World- oops there’s that scene with a girl in a bikini and it’s all about greed

Jaws- oops Brody gets drunk

Ben-Hur””oops the Bible doesn’t say that Jesus gave some prisoner a drink of water

Mrs. Minniver””oops they were Anglicans

The Wizard of Oz- oops there’s witchcraft

North by Northwest- oops too much flirting

The Sound of Music- oops catholics again

Star Wars- oops all that Buddhism (??)

2001: A Space Odyssey- oops the Bible doesn’t say anything about extraterrestrials or wormholes

The Lord of the Rings- oops there’s wizardry and God is not mentioned once

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly- oops all that shootin’

Thunderball””oops it’s a sin to be that cool

TMK,

I love bluegrass, but not so much country. There are some country songs that I enjoy, but most of them are lousy.

They really are entirely two different genres. In my opinion, country is what happens when folk music becomes mainstream (then is it even folk anymore???). Bluegrass is what happens when people write about real life, whether anyone else cares about it or not.

Thanks for sharing this topic Oracio. I agree when one is truly regenerated the desire for the things of this world go away. Some are instantly, for me, it was drugs, alcohol (I drank to get drunk most of the time, even though wine was served at all meals including lunch), God cleaned up my mouth, and made me more conscientious of many things like lust and what I was seeing in movies, TV, etc.

In addition to watching things that promoted lust I was especially grieved when people would take Gods name in vain. Raised as a Catholic, that was one sin that was really driven home in our house and I do believe it went beyond a do and a don't.

Anyway I do like many of the films mentioned and will add a few more favorites. I like old films like:

The Ten Commandments
The Robe
King of Kings
Ben Hur (already mentioned by Todd)
Little Women (The first two versions, not fond of #3)
The Yearling
To Kill A Mockingbird
Miracle on 34th St.
All Scrooge aka A Christmas Carol Movies

The list goes on and would be to long to mention all, but they are pretty much old which my wife makes fun of me about.

Now here is a film called The Perfect Stranger, there are also sequels and a TV series that was aired on Christian Television. It's about Jesus coming to various individuals in the modern day. He will come posing as a drifter to come and speak to someone specific who is having some issues in life. As he gets to know them in conversation he begins telling them about themselves, very, very touching and will drive you to tears.

Here is the best link so you can see all about the movies and the TV series. I have them all in my library and use all my Christian films to share with friends and family. We will watch them together and then discuss after, midst the tears.

You will read this in the link below, but the part in the Perfect Stranger when this woman is out to dinner with Jesus she is in unbelief and believes he is crazy but as time progresses and he keeps sharing things in her personal life that no one could possibly know she begins to soften.

At the end of their dinner you can see in her countenance Jesus has touched her, her eyes really captivates the moment when she realizes it TRULY is Jesus (tears) when the waiter puts down the check, she grabs it to pay and when he reaches across the table to take the check the sleeves of his suit rolls up past his wrist to reveal the scars in his wrists. I am telling you now, have the tissues ready.

God used this movie to help prepare and soften my brothers heart two months before He took him home.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Perfect_Stranger_%28film%29

Some more Christian films:
The Race Card
Johnny
Jesus of Nazareth
The Woodcarver
The Last Ounce of Courage
The Encounter

Music for me is pretty much praise & worship. I drive a lot being in Business Development and travel between Michigan & Mississippi. I really enjoy the quite time the most.

Tim mentioned Doyle Dykes, Doyle is an amazingly gifted guitarist and I had the privilege of seeing him several times at one of my old churches I used to attend back in the 90's. His daughter who came and played with him was equally talented.

What really makes these individuals stand out above and beyond the blessed gifts that God gives them is their testimony and how God saved them, changed them, and gave them NEW desires. I also believe that they are being faithful stewards of these gifts in giving all glory and honor to Jesus.

In light of this topic about movies and music I believe these very things have happened to each of us to varying extents.

One of my elder mentors in the faith used to say this,
"When I got saved, I now hate the things I once loved, and love the things I once hated"

His point is, there must be a change from the inside (spirit)outward (flesh, actions, behavior, speech). Unfortunately many try to clean up the outward first. It does not work, I tried it for 9 years.

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Havoc,

I did want to mention and encourage you in the area you mentioned about balancing your struggles. As I mentioned in my earlier post in this thread when I got saved God took many things away immediately other things took time.

I was going to mention this in another thread but chose not to, but I believe the Lord wants it said. I will use myself as the example.

When I was lost, I was plagued with sin, sex, drugs, drunkennous, etc.. When I say I was plagued means I enjoyed my sin, I did not feel guilty or concerned at the very least.

The struggle came for me when I heard the truth. I heard the Gospel at the age of 17. It was then that my sin was no longer enjoyable, the Gospel was like a wet blanket that doused the flames of my sin.

I did not commit my life to Christ until I was 27. However that whole time sin had now become a struggle, even before I got saved. After salvation there were areas of my life that while I was still struggling I did not get the victory over right away.

A huge factor for me was being filled with the Holy Spirit 9 years after I was saved and that helped me in so many ways.

One major area in my life was/is my temper. God has been so patient with me for 27 years now and as Oracio stated earlier, God will complete the work He has begun in us. It's an absolute promise.

As long as there is still a struggle and a striving with whatever area you are battling I just want to say that is a VERY good thing.

I know what it is like to struggle with sin and when I slip, fail, fall I am truly miserable, UNTIL.

For me, even after being saved for 27+ years when I fall short in an area I am so hard on myself and I find it hard to go back to the Lord and simply confess, repent, and put my sin under the blood of Jesus at the cross and just move on.

The reason I say it is hard is because I should know better and I do not want to take the grace of God for granted. But guess what I am doing?

When I don't go to God immediately I am buying into the lies of the enemy and I am under a weight of condemnation and as much as I know the enemies tactics and HATE being condemned I allow myself to linger in the guilt.

You know what that is? Pride, plain and simple. My wife knows me like a book, just like my mother knew me. When I am down on myself my wife starts right away with the questions until she gets me in submission and I tell her what is going on.

Now I said I am using myself as the example and while these things are true for me they may not apply nor am I implying that is the same in your case.

I used to be a part of a group that believed we are supposed to attain perfection in this life and that is just not the case. The only perfection we will ever know on this side of glory is the IMPUTED perfection/righteousness of Jesus Christ and that is the Perfection I now trust in.

If any one could ever attain a state of perfection on their own in this life, Jesus died in vain, we would not need Him.

The other side of this coin is that all our sin, past, present, future are imputed to Him. The perfection/righteousness I trust in is His, and the sin He bears on my behalf is mine.

I have seen God take people right down to the 11:59 hour and complete the work before many, many eyes, an undeniable work He promised to complete.

I have learned a long time ago to not cast stones at Gods workmanship.

Are you familiar with 1John 3:1-10? This speaks of those who commit sin as a usual practice, meaning they abide, continue in, and camp out at sins door with no struggle or conviction whatsoever.

In context of all of 1John it is obvious we will struggle with sin until we see Him face to face, THEN and only then will we be like Him. So Christians will commit acts of sin, not as a usual practice, but when our defenses are down and when we do, we should feel miserable. The Holy Spirit who dwells with and in us will be grieved and I can assure you when He is grieved, you also will grieve, another good thing btw.

So as long as there is a struggling, striving, and grieving with or when we sin, do not hesitate to apply 1John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13 for forgiveness, cleansing, and mercy.

Not because we are faithful but because HE is faithful.

I will be remembering you in my prayers.

Thanks, David.

Hmmm,....
I'd have to say "oh brother where art thou" is high on my list and pretty much all the Cohen brothers films along with Bruce Lee movies and the king fu genre in general as well as Star Trek/ sci fi movies- also I like to make a distinction between movies and films with the latter being of greater substance much like one finds contrast in differing qualities of literature.
Having said that I've really learned to enjoy cartoon movies with all these kids the Lord has blessed me with. There is a series of animated biblical stories narrated by Charlton Heston that I found very enjoyable and actually learned allot from them;) I liked the Passion pretty good but took issue with parts of it as well as most "Christian" movies.... find myself being a lil more critical of them.

I really enjoy music and have diverse tastes,... old Hymns and contemporary praise music and reggae, 60's Latin Jazz, Cuban, flamenco guitar, as well as orchestra and classical choir (esp Russian double choir) rap, rock, dub step, and believe it or not there are a few country songs that are enjoyable for me tho not too many;)
My fav Christian artist has been Josh Garrells for a few years now, his lyrics, sound quality and composition are very considerate and he just fits where I'm at in my walk.
Unfortunately I find that some if not most "Christian artists" are basically copying the worlds music and putting Jesus in it and sometimes then almost ambiguously so as to be more marketable, I don't find very many of these artists work really able to touch me and tend towards what I find that does.... guess everyone does that to some extent;)

Fletcher wrote:

"Unfortunately I find that some if not most "Christian artists" are basically copying the worlds music and putting Jesus in it and sometimes then almost ambiguously so as to be more marketable, I don't find very many of these artists work really able to touch me and tend towards what I find that does...."

I agree 100%, which is why I don't listen to the "pop" Christian stations.

Feeling led to share a few quotes here as food for thought. Especially to encourage young people who The Lord is calling or will call to be fully consecrated unto Him in these last days.

"Entertainment is an area today where we are so influenced in subtle ways by a culture that is contrary to God’s ways. It’s more subtle because we laugh at entertainment; we’re amused by entertainment. It’s fun, so we don’t think of how dangerous some of what we’re being exposed to might be in its philosophy, in its behavior, in what it’s promoting as a worldview."

- Nancy Leigh deMoss

"Leonard Ravenhill once said that modern Christianity has accepted a counterfeit version of joy and peace by looking to Hollywood and professional sports to bring us delight. We look to movies and television and football games to bring us the pleasure that our King desires to give. And by leaning on worldly entertainment for rest and refreshment, we find only a temporary fix; not lasting happiness or true fulfillment...

Yes, there are a few movies that can actually edify our spirits and lead us closer to Christ. But very few fall into that category. And the bottom line is that the area of worldly entertainment, for most young Christians, has an unhealthy strangle-hold upon us.

..one of the ways that you can tell something is an "idol” or "other lover” in your life is that you are unwilling to let it go; you can’t picture living without it. Most of us, if we were honest, would have to admit that we are unbelievably attached to the world’s entertainment. Life would seem empty and bleak if we didn’t own a T.V. Weekends would be boring and depressing if we didn’t frequent the local theater to catch the latest Hollywood flick...

And despite the fact that it is currently hip for pastors to show clips from the latest blockbusters as part of their Sunday sermons, the reality is that movies (or T.V. shows) that actually bring glory to God and lead us closer to Christ are the rare exception, not the rule. When we sit in front of sights, images and messages that are the opposite of God’s Kingdom, we allow our minds to be subtly manipulated by the voices of darkness, whether we realize it or not....

One young woman I talked to, after seeing a handful of movies that portrayed affairs as beautiful and right (rather than selfish and sinful) became convinced that it was okay for people to leave their marriage partner for someone else if they found their "soul mate”.

I can’t help but wonder why we..are so willing to submit our minds and emotions to an industry that openly mocks the purity and righteousness of our Heavenly Prince. Most of us are far more influenced by pop-culture than we are by the Word of God. We can quote our favorite lines from 100 different chick flicks, but the only Scripture we know is John 3:16.

And we wonder why Christ feels distant.

But it’s not just movies and T.V. that has us in its controlling vice. It’s an overall pre-occupation with pop-culture. Music artists, professional athletes, and movie stars claim far more of our applause and attention than Jesus Christ does.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols are the closing words that sum up the entire book of first John. (1 John 5:21 KJV) Idols are not just golden statues that people bow down to in ornate temples. An idol is anything that claims our attention and affection above Christ. Most of us verbally declare that Jesus Christ is more important to us than our fetish for music or movies. But what does our life say? Where do we spend the best hours of our day? What do we turn to for enjoyment and comfort?

Tauler wrote,
"A pure heart is one to which all that is not of God is strange and jarring."

Pop-culture floods our minds and senses with things that are not of God. But for most of us, the glamorized sin that surrounds us is not strange and jarring. It’s normal and accepted. In fact, we go out of our way to enjoy and participate in it. We even spend a huge amount of our time and money on it. And we allow it to capture our mind, emotion, and attention. Christ makes it clear that we cannot love both Him and the things that charm and ravish this world. We cannot be dazzled by the images of pop-culture and captivated by the King of all kings:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
(I John 2:15-16 NKJV)

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.
(James 4:4)

...Does God stand up and cheer over American Idol? Does He smile with delight over the new Twilight movie? Does He get excited about the latest Cold Play album?
Or does He grieve over our distracted, wandering, divided hearts?"

- Leslie Ludy

Follow the lamb ,,Leslie ,,,,,,just want to say I love your husbands preaching,,,,,not many preachers like him out their ,,,,that's if I'm not mistaken you ,for Eric ludys wife .......

Hi Julius,

Holiness is SEPARATION from sin, Satan and the world.

It is God who defines holiness (not the other way around!), and that's characterized by the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Joy is very much part of holiness - Jesus was joyful, something which isn't always captured well in visual depictions of Him. Surely Jesus must have smiled a lot, being fully secure in His relationship with His Father.

Greetings

I have been praying about responding to this thread...it is a difficult topic I think for many. I have in my life watched rated R movies, some in which I wish I could scrub from my mind forever... but then there have been others that GOD has used to speak to me and draw me closer to HIMSELF. One such movie is The Matrix(first one only) This movie has been spoken of much and I realize for some it is not a good choice, but for me GOD opened my eyes to see many things about myself at a time in my life when I was struggling. The line that still really has a profound effect on me is when the Trinty character says to Neo, "Because you have been down there, Neo. You know that road. You know exactly where it ends. And I know that's not where you want to be." In that moment GOD showed me I had been walking down a road that was only leading me further into the world and away from HIM. I saw so clearly that I had traveled that road so often in my life but I truly did not want to be there any longer...it was a small seed that GOD used in my life to really help me turn from some of the attitudes in my heart and help me repent of much self living.

Having said that I will also say I don't watch The Matrix over and over again. I don't feel I need to, I have gleaned from it what the LORD had for me in that moment and am happy to move forward in HIM and prayerfully keep on moving forward. There are other movies that GOD has used in my life as well. Not all are so strongly rated, in fact I have made choices not to watch movies with such strong ratings now in my life.

It is interesting though, I have discovered that some movies with very mild ratings can be more of a stumbling block to some, then others. I know of many woman who struggle greatly in their marriages and relationships because of the movie "Pride and Prejudiced" and it has no language, no inappropriate themes, or violence. This movie is actually one of my favorites but it paints an unrealistic picture of who our husbands can and are to be. For many "Mr. Darcy" is the ideal mate, with a little help from Elizabeth he becomes the perfect future husband. Sadly many women get so caught up in the character and they take that expectation into real life wanting their own spouses to be just like "Mr. Darcy". This expectation of our mate being perfectly wonderful and meeting our every desire is a dangerous one. It can be a tool from the enemy to destroy a marriage. As I said I love the movie and will admit to having watched it at least once a year but would never recommend those who do not have their foundation rooted in JESUS to watch it. Mr. Darcy is not real and only JESUS can be our all and all.

I think we need to be very careful in what we say, and how we say it. It is vital that we share the things the LORD places on our hearts with one another. It is vital that we encourage one another to flee from sin, but when we speak it must be only by HIS leading and from a heart filled with HIS love. Making pronouncements about one another might only serve to do more harm then good. I have learned and am still seeking to learn what it means to care for others. I want to learn to ask questions and listen. I also want to share in such a way that might cause another to reflect on the things GOD has for them not crush them under my own opinions...

God bless
Maryjane

MaryJane,

As I said I love the movie and will admit to having watched it at least once a year but would never recommend those who do not have their foundation rooted in JESUS to watch it. Mr. Darcy is not real and only JESUS can be our all and all.

The interesting thing about storytelling is that we all bring our own personal perspectives to it - how we interpret the story, and what we take away from it.

Here's a story similar to your "Matrix" anecdote:

Many years ago, I watched a live theatrical production of Disney's "The Lion King". It's similar to the cartoon, which you would know has received legitimate criticism for having witchcraft elements.

At that time, I was going through an immensely difficult time spiritually. I was familiar with the cartoon, but this time the plot resonated with me. It reminded me of God's great love, and I cried at what was supposed to be a happy musical.

Even reflecting on "The Lion King" today, I think it is an excellent coming-of-age story - there are stirring themes which humans can relate to, and I especially appreciate the emphasis on knowing our identity. I bring my Christian perspective to it; of course, non-Christians would have a different spin on the story's themes.

I certainly do not endorse the witchcraft elements. I can like certain parts of a movie without endorsing *everything* about it.

Sister Maryjane,

I can certainly appreciate your kind and very considerate words and from an experiential perspective find them very wise indeed:)
I had forgotten bout the matrix when I initially responded but yes I too was affected by that movie and the Lord has been able to use it and the images of it to reveal His word to me. One that sticks out for me as I write this is when neo was killed by the agents and trinity told him he couldn't be dead because the oracle told her the man she loved was "the one" and he was "resurrected" by the power of love and at that point he (neo) stood up and for the first time saw "the matrix" and was no longer a victim of it but now stood in authority over it. The image was revisited in my mind while reading in Hebrews where the Lord says "and the worlds are framed by His word". For me this was a powerful revelation and really gave me a confidence towards Him that I had not previously known:)

Brother Yuehan wrote:

I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Titus - "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure."

I have thought of this passage several times since this thread became heated,... Thanks for sharing:)

I appreciate your thoughts MJ.

Films can open our eyes to many things. I live a pretty sheltered life (thank goodness) but there are millions of people who struggle to survive daily. There are soldiers who fought in wars and experienced the hell of it. It damages them. Films can educate us about life, or about history.

Sometimes life is not rated G. Sometimes life is violent.

I think it is possible to watch a violent war movie, or police movie, without it infecting our spirit.

Overtly sexual movies are obviously a different matter.

I just happened to watch Pride and Prejudice the other night- I had read the book previously but sort of forgot the plot. I think your point about it is well taken. I know of several women who name this as their favorite movie and watch it repeatedly. Why is that? I think you answered why. (My favorite love story is "somewhere in time.").

My point is that a movie is not necessarily "bad" because it may have raw language (people in real life use raw language) or violence (there is violence in real life).

I think the better argument regarding movies is that it supports an ungodly industry- but even this industry produces worthwhile films. I have been watching the 31 days of Oscars on TCM- those movies are awesome for a reason. Last night was "on the waterfront" and Karl Malden as the priest gave a speech that was an excellent and convicting sermon. Great movie.

Followthelamb,

Valid observations among those quotes which you had shared. We must guard our hearts and minds, and entertainment can often be a substitute for genuine joy in God.

Flipping it around - people try to derive joy from entertainment because they don't know how to draw genuine happiness from God.

So I believe it would be more effective to deal with this "root", rather than focusing on "what not to watch" or the epidemic of entertainment addiction.

The more we are happy in God, the more able we would be in helping others to experience the joy in the Lord. As I alluded to earlier, Jesus' human existence was filled with joy - joy being a fruit of holiness.

Interestingly, the latest Times Square Church newsletter is on "How To Live Happy", with great practical advice at the end of the sermon.

"2Co 7:1 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."

I think the assumptions that the great majority of Christians make is that this verse means that external things automatically taint us. The verse, however, says to clean ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. It's an internal issue; an internal cleansing.

Quite apart from movies, music, etc, many people confront vile things on a daily basis- in their job for example. Teachers, policemen, social workers, etc see and hear all sorts of vile things daily. Soldiers may see extreme violence.

I believe it is possible for a person to not allow this to corrupt their flesh and spirit. I believe that I can watch a movie like the Matrix, or Braveheart and not allow it to taint my flesh or spirit. Like I said previously, I think it is important for a Christian to read classic literature, watch good films, etc.

Personally I feel folks that come in here and say they don't watch tv, or own a tv should just keep that to themselves. The way I see someone doing that, is their puffing themselves up, or trying to create some condemnation in others, because trust me, no one not going to change their mind just because you don't own or watch a tv. Some things should be keep along the lines of fasting, they should be keep between you and the Lord.

by MrBillPro
Personally I feel folks that come in here and say they don't watch tv, or own a tv should just keep that to themselves. The way I see someone doing that, is their puffing themselves up, or trying to create some condemnation in others, because trust me, no one not going to change their mind just because you don't own or watch a tv. Some things should be keep along the lines of fasting, they should be keep between you and the Lord.

Well if David Wilkerson condemned it, it must be wrong. :-) Sorry Brother Dave, lets just agree to disagree. So I'm guessing the internet is worse than tv, so please you folks that don't like tv, unplug your internet. How does David Wilkerson get his message to the world? just runs up on top of the mountain and hollers? or maybe by other means besides tv or internet?

Brother Jeff wrote;
"Many people wrongly confuse "positional" holiness/righteousness, with "practical" holiness/righteousness. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places & He is our righteousness position ally. But our practical day to day righteousness/holiness is up to us. This is why "your head is already clean, so you need not take a bath" but we spiritually need to "wash our own & even serve each other by washing each other's feet," because we "pick up dirt" as we walk through this world."

An honest question:
How do we make our "positional" reality our "practical" reality?

Brother Jeff,
Thank you for responding:)
I can certainly appreciate your answer, and would like to inquire further if you would be patient with me a lil longer...

How does one actually "do" the things you listed?

JFW...how does one actually "do" the things you listed?

I don't think anyone on earth could possibly do all the things he listed.

Brother Jeff,

I'm tracking with you, this is great!

But if you're willing I'd like to go a lil further?

So what is the means by which one does the things you listed, like you know, "how"?

I think a great question for Brother Jeff is, do you adhere to all your preaching here?

Brother Jeff wrote;
"Again, if I have to explain "how" you don't set your eyes, ears, heart, etc. upon the things of this world through TV/Internet "Entertainment", I'm not sure if you're trying to set me up for something or what? It's pretty self-explanatory, I think, isn't it?"

Again thank you for your attention to my question, but you framed the question in the reverse and then didn't answer it,... I didn't ask how you don't, I asked how you do? having said this the answer would be the same...
Brother Jeff I apologize if my verbiage misrepresented my intention as I have no desire to "set you up for something" in the negative.

And no it's certainly not self explainatory (imo),...

So again if you would be so kind,....
How does one do the things you listed?
It's a simple and honest question-
Edit to clarify;
How does one make their "positional" reality in Christ Eph 2:6 their "practical" reality in daily life?
Ok so you yourself said people "get it confused" so it's not so clear right?
Also you gave a great list of examples of doings that would constitute a practical application,... But what I am asking is how does one do the things on the list as well as other things applicable to holiness?
No it's not a trick question-

Brother Fletcher, I'm not answering for Jeff, but I do feel your question to him is sincere. Here is what I do, I set my eyes on Christ, and I also accept the Grace he has manifested in the salvation of sinners. I can't possibly live the life of all that Brother Jeff listed in his post. I am sorry my question to Jeff seemed harsh, but I do feel that if he could elaborate a little on how he personally is able to live his daily life according to the scriptures he listed, which from what I gathered in my common sense mind from his post he does. Example, if you're learning to parachute, and you're in a class on how to parachute out of a plane, even though the class has a manual to go by, personally I would like to ask some personal questions to the teacher, where the manual does not have these answers, just to see some of his/her personal techniques they use to possibly help myself.

What we all at times forget, we are all at a different place in our walk,and in a different place in our understanding of the scriptures, so please don't stereotype. I had a pastor years ago that told me to always carry my sword in my car or anywhere I go, just in case I heard someone say this is in the Bible, and be prepared to look it up and explain what the spirit is saying to you what this scripture means. We all come here and post scripture all the time, which is great, but we can also find the same scripture in the Bible, but for us that have a hard time understanding some scriptures, we try to get our understanding here, and if no ones is willing to explain, how they are able to walk in line with scripture, coming here is in vain.

I know and respect that there is some mighty men and women of God here, and very knowledgeable in the word, but there is also folks like me that have been in the word for 50 years and still lack understanding. If I come here and say the word says you reap what you sow, and brother Fletcher ask me Bill can you explain or just elaborate a little on this. I would tell him you eventually have to face up to the consequences of your actions, as I have personally witnessed in my walk, to let him know I have personally reap bad and good from my sowing throughout life. I think we all get caught up in using scriptures to win our debates here, but I also feel if your going to use scripture, please be ready to do some explaining, because all of us don't understand them as well as you might.

So I guess there's no member of SI that watches TV besides Bill and I. Sounds fishy to me.

Maybe we will be Blessed one day Lisa, if God ever uses the TV to get a message out.

@Lysa

No I watch TV and movies but I usually don't get into this subject because some Christians are very condemning or self righteous. People are always making these little value judgments of someone not being quite Saved...at least not like them. So I stay away from it. Besides I already had my experience of legalism, what it is and what it's not. I know there's the conviction of the Holy Spirit but many times I just end up losing interest. It just bothers me when some Christians start this stuff with R rated movies and TV but those same Christians are listening to shock jocks on Talk Radio and watching Fox News or whatever all day long including different "news” websites on the internet. Now just who's being defiled again?

Jasmine, "I personally believe" that there are some things it's ok just to keep between us and God. I sure at times like these is why Romans 8:1 exists.

@MrBillPro

I do to...I agree. It just seems like with some Christians they act like they have to "approve” every little thing in your life. It's very invasive but then I think about the transparency we are supposed to have with one another. Maybe it has to do with the lack of real relationship or trying to get there. I don't know...

Wow! Brother J. 99% of what you wrote was how you felt about tv, and that's fine! I don't have a problem if you never turn your tv on, that's your right. Maybe you're still not grasping the whole idea, it's the comdemnation your post is singing, that you're not realizing, again this is why some things should be kept between us and God. When we keep some of our personal choices in life, especially the ones that are so debatable and may create condemnation in others, it keeps peace within the church. If a Christian is out robbing banks to help others, well we need to speak up and let them know this is wrong period. Believe it or not "been there done that" some Christians get caught up in self they think everyone should be walking the walk they do, it's ok to get close to the deep end, as long as we don't jump off.

J. I don't think me giving you ideas on edifying programs would be good, that might take this discussion to a whole new level. :-) If everyone in your fellowship has a tv, I would ask them, they will be the ones you have to be around, not me, right?

J. Sounds like my kind of congregation.

I am coming in very late on this discussion and not to keep this thread dragging on but I just thought I would throw in my two cents. I believe in personal convictions. There are things I may not partake in that another believe does and things I do partake in that other don't. I do not watch rated R movies. However, I have watched several PG-13 movies that some may consider just as bad and some of them probably should have been rated R. I have a conviction about rated R movies. If a rated R movies comes on regular tv I will watch it because it's usually edited. The main reason I avoid rated R movies is nudity. I have struggled with pornography in the past and also the hurt it causes my wife gives me this conviction. I don't look down on others for seeing rated R movies. I do think it's a little ridiculous when people go see a rated R movie and come out saying " I had no idea it would be that bad" lol but anyways. I have mentioned on threads like this before that if we are going to be so strict in one area then you must be that strict in all areas. Otherwise it could be seen as hypocritical. All things are permissible but not beneficial. We must set off the weights and sins that so easily entangle us. Weights being things that aren't necessarily sinful but hinder us. It will look different for each person. One of my favorite shows is modern family. I can hear the gasps! There is a homosexual couple on that show!!! They don't show affection like other programs and believe it or not it has helped me see some of the hurts and struggles homosexuals encounter even from well meaning believers. Hopefully I didn't just open this thread for 100 more posts but all of that to say let's slow down the declaring people unsaved because they partake in something we disagree with. Much love!

When it comes to tv we do not watch any "modern" series. We might watch something on history channel if it's interesting but we mostly watch the Andy Griffith show and leave it to beaver. Can't go wrong with those shows.

We really like the series Agatha Christie's Poirot which is very well done.

I would probably like Downton Abbey, but I don't want to start watching 5 seasons in.

Oh yeah- I love Gilligans Island but my wife won't let me watch it in her presence.

I like all the car/truck rebuild shows, gas monkey garage, diesel brothers, etc. and also a lot of shows on H2 "History 2". As for as sports, I like NASCAR no favorite driver but I do like to catch some of the races. I like Big Bang Theory, Blacklist, Mike and Molly, Two Broke Girls, etc. I just watched Woodlawn this past week, I thought it was awesome, and of course War Room a few weeks ago. The reason I don't mind if you watch tv or not is, because I like to try and live like Rom 12:18 say's "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Wow! watched the movie Spotlight last night, of course I don't know the extent of the truth in that movie. It's hard to believe this could happen, I guess I underestimated the power of the Catholic church.

Yeah Bill-

That part where the children were singing "silent night" in the choir was like getting socked in the gut. Think of the words to that song, then think of what was happening to some of those children and their peers. Ominous.

Why God would allow such things to happen to children is something I cannot explain without sounding like an idiot.

Jeffmar, you mentioned Shai Linne. I LOVE him. Oh, man.

Yes ---- I like hip hop. I'm six weeks away from being 49, white, male, southerner, husband, dad, all that --- and I like hip hop music. I just do. The depth of good lyrics is as close to real poetry as you'll find. And, I generally just like the beats.

But, I don't like non-Christian artists' work. I have never listened to or been a fan of any secular hip hop since, oh, the late 1980's (you know, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Kurtis Blow, Sugar Hill Gang, etc.). I only listen to the likes of Shai Linne, Lecrae, Tedashii, etc. I have a Shai Linne station on my Pandora account. Occasionally, I work to it in the background (when I'm not listening to Fusion Jazz Guitar).

I discovered a worship band called Aradhna last year that uses traditional Indian instrument (eg sitar).

Their video on YouTube for the song "Mukteeshwar" is pretty powerful.

Todd, and this kind of stuff never goes away all the way through their life. I saw in the movie where they were interviewing a man that was married now and had a kid, this interview tore me up, these folks will have a broken spirit all their lives. You can't un-ring a bell it's done, and no amount of money can make a person forget whats happened to them. Taking advantage of these kids period was terrible, but taking advantage of them while they were down and out, it about the lowest any individual on earth could go in my world. I wonder if this stuff is still going on, my guess is probably yes!

Yes bill- 1 in 10 children are sexually abused by age 18. Almost always by someone they and their family knows and trusts. That is a tragic percentage. So it certainly is not confined to the RC church.

Todd, I understand the RC Church don't have any patent on this, but I will say when a church is involved, it's the lowest of the lows. How can this go so far and no one say anything for so long? Personally if this happened to my child it would be worth dying for, if you catch what I'm saying.

I catch you 100%

Even Jesus would have (has) fire in His eyes over this issue. He'll be using more than a whip made of cords.

I'd be terrified to be a RC clergyman.

I dont tend to watch movies, I just to read books and listen to sermons and I only listen to praise and worship music

Yep me to I hated rap till I listened to Timothy brindels ,humility so far Christ,,and shai linns, music ,,,very powerful ,,make ya cry ,that's how much bible is those rap songs ,,,,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UWeyY8bVw3s......

Try this for gospel music ,there's more bible there in four minutes ,then most songs

you want see that on the Gaither hour!

No but I love the gaithers as well