Movie Mania

Last night we made a mistake, an error in judgment. We went to see a movie with a friend that turned out to be so very bad. The previews looked funny & didn't show anything inappropriate. Man, are those editors talented! We had opportunities to turn back from it. We discovered its R-rating on the way over & should have bailed right then. Just before the movie started, I looked around at the few people walking in & thought, "We're Christians. We shouldn't be here." At a particularly disturbing portion, we most definitely should have walked out. As the movie ended (blessedly!), I said, "We should have gone to see 'Tangled'!" And when we were driving home, I was struck by the thought that watching this movie was not what I wanted to be doing if Jesus had come back right then! I honestly felt dirty & Michael apologized repeatedly (& unnecessarily) for allowing us to go see this movie. You'd think with 3 usually discerning Christians that we would have made a better decision! It's not that it wasn't a funny movie; the other people in the audience seemed to think it was. So, why did we find it crass, offensive, & wholly inappropriate? We have the Spirit in us reminding us to:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ~ Eph. 4:29

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Phil. 4:8

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. ~Eph. 5:3-4

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ~Eph. 5:15-16

I really do believe these verses (& many more) speak to our entertainment choices as well as all of life. We apply them well so often, & I wish we could go back & redo last night. It shows me that we can't ever be lax in our discernment. We want "religion that is pure & undefiled before God", which means "keep[ing] [ourselves] unstained from the world" (James 1:27). Last night we felt stained by immersing ourselves in our debase culture, if not physically, then mentally. Thanks be to God that He has provided a way for all of our stains to be cleansed through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, in our place on the cross. Because of His sacrifice for us on the cross, all of my sins are atoned for. (And, yes, because this movie defies the Scriptures' teachings, I do believe seeing it is sin.) Through Christ, I now stand before God clothed in His righteousness. I was His enemy, now I'm His beloved child. So, I am assured that my repentance is accepted & I am forgiven. God is gracious & good & can redeem even my bad movie choices.