5 Reasons NOT to Watch “50 Shades of Grey”

Women, if you’re serious about your pursuit of God you should think twice about seeing “50 Shades of Grey.” Here are five reasons to sit out.

Reason # 1: It’s Soft Porn for Women

There is a reason that even the Hollywood types are talking about this movie. It’s because the sex scenes are more explicit and erotic than anything that’s ever been in the mainstream media. Movies like these are creating a new epidemic. Studies on sex addiction are finding that more and more women are becoming sex addicts. The number being reported is up to 40% of women are now admitting to struggling with this addiction. It’s starting in adolescence with the increasing amount of book series and movies written for young adults about love and sex. This movie is another example of a movie that will awaken and confuse women about what love and sex should be about.  Don’t be fooled, it’s not an innocent way to spend your time, and the people who produce these sorts of books and films have agendas: to earn money off of you at any expense.

Reason #2: It’s Soft Porn for Your Husband

According to statistics in the Christian church, over 40% of couples say that pornography is the leading issue in their marriage. Another statistic says that five out of ten men are struggling with some level of porn addiction. Pornography is destroying marriages everyday. Seeing Fifty Shades your husband is like endorsing and encouraging his porn use. Don’t think that seeing the movie (even together) somehow takes away from the lasting impact that those images can have in his mind. If you don’t want your husband watching porn, don’t take him to this movie.

[External Resource: Men and the Power of the Visual]

Reason #3: It Distorts What Sex Was Meant to Be

This movie doesn’t represent how God wants us to view sex. Lust shouldn’t be the driving force behind our sex lives. The catalyst for sex should be the intimate, private connection with your spouse. It should be based on love and commitment, not lust and the forbidden.

Reason #4: It Distorts Your View of Your Husband

Many women will watch this movie and come away questioning their own marriage. They will compare their sex life to that portrayed in this movie. They will look at their husband and think he should be a better lover. Whatever the thought, there is no value to comparing your sex life in your marriage to this unhealthy portrayal of sex that is selfish and reckless.

Reason #5: God Calls Us to a Different Standard

If we are followers of Jesus, we are called to be different from the world.

Colossians 3:1-10 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Women, let’s not try to fit in with the world. Let’s stand up for what God cares about. If we truly believe in what Jesus did on our behalf – flogged, beaten, nails driven into his hands and feet, thorns piercing his brow, hung to suffocate and die on a cross – surely our response to that should be profound. Our lives and our choices should reflect a heart that wants to honor God above all else.