Post by lovelace on Aug 27, 2007 10:38:54 GMT -5
"Should a Christian go to movies? Is watching a movie a sin?"
Answer: 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, 2 Timothy 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.
Answer: 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, 2 Timothy 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.
