By Jerry Elder
You drive by the local cinema, and you look at the movies that are showing. Some look interesting, others, well, not so much. We look at the titles and actors, and somehow we skip right over the rating. Or maybe you go to the local DVD machine and rent your one-dollar movie without checking to see if it is appropriate to view. It is the movies, and as Christians we need to consider a few things before we go and or view movies in our home.

  1. Content––know what the movie is about. Too often we rely on previews to tell us the plot and message of the story only to be led astray by hidden meanings and subject matter that a Christian should not be viewing. Take the time to read reviews and go online to read the content of movies that you are about to watch. Doing this will make your viewing far more enjoyable.
  2. Ratings––there is a rating system for a reason, and in today’s movies you cannot go by a rating system all of the time. The guidelines of a G, PG, PG-13, or R-rated movie are spelled out in detail; however, many times producers try to stretch the limits. Don’t base a movie just off the rating system. Know what is in a movie. Know if there is language, nudity, violence, and any other material that a Christian should not view. Maybe we should understand that if Hollywood, with very loose morals, sets a standard, then we should stay away from that viewing all together.
  3. Options––there is really only one option when you go to the theater, and that is to say yes or no to the movie you want to view. You have all the control to walk in or not. You make the final decision. For home viewing, there is a Clear Play DVD player that takes out content and language that is not suitable for viewing. This is an option only, and while this may provide a way to view a movie, you still have to answer the question: Would God want me to watch this movie? Again, you make the final decision.
  4. What to Do: 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 set our minds on things that are noble and pure (Philippians 4:8). If—and this is a big if—we can watch a movie or DVD that contains questionable content and still be in agreement with these commands from the Bible, then it’s hard to see a wrong in this. The danger lies in how what we are watching affects our hearts and souls as well as 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), and we must do whatever we can to avoid that happening again. Often that means not watching that type of movie or scene again. Also, it can be a stumbling block to someone who is struggling with a habit or behavior that is coming between God and him (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 a holy example of what God has done in our lives (1 Peter 2:11-12).

So go and see a movie or watch one in your home. Just make sure you would be willing to have the Lord sitting there with you!