Welcome to the fourth and final installment of our “Is it a sin” series. We’ve been looking at behaviors like smoking, drinking, and gambling that have been identified as sinful in many churches for many decades and we’re asking if the Bible says they’re sinful. Today, we’re talking about watching R rated movies. You may be wondering why we’re even having this conversation. You might argue that we have freedom in Christ so of course we can watch R rated movies. As long as we don’t act out what we see in them, what’s the harm in watching? Or you might be on the other side and say, “of course it’s a sin to watch an R rated movie.
Garbage In – Garbage Out
The Bible describes our eyes as a lamp that gives light to the body. When our eyes are healthy our body is filled with light. The world, and the powers behind it, are actively working to conform your thinking to align with theirs. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Matthew 6:22, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 5:1-16
Ephesians 5:1-16 “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17″
- Everything you do – that includes our entertainment choices, a good question to ask is would you keep watching the movie if Jesus came and sat down beside you?
- Why – because we are his dearly loved children. He is a perfect father. He wants the best for us and knows what is best for us.
- Obscene stories, foolish talk, course jokes – Are the movies I’m watching full of these, even if they’re not R rated, if this describes the movies I’m watching, that’s sinful.
- Take no part –
- Shameful to even talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret
Power of Media influences us
Romans 12:2 Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
The world is working to conform us to its image. I’ll bet most of us don’t realize how much the way we think is actually impacted by media and entertainment. There is an agenda.
Matthew 6:22 Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
Commands in OT to the nation of Israel to tell the next generation about God’s deeds.
Lust
Any movie containing nudity, sex scenes, or even large amounts of sexual innuendo is sinful for us to watch. Jesus told us that if we’ve looked upon a woman lustfully, we’ve already committed adultery in our heart.
Matthew 5:27-29“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’[j] 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye[k]—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
- Soft porn is almost always the gateway to full on adult movies.
Vengeance is the Lord’s
Supporting shows that promote unbiblical themes can cause us to begin to think unbiblically. Many shows today have a theme of revenge or vengeance. God’s Word calls us to forgive. It is God’s responsibility to make right the wrongs. We’re called to be peacemakers
Foul language
Much like our eyes are the lamp of our body, our ears filter what’s going into our minds. If we listen to large amounts of foul and coarse language, it won’t be long before we’re speaking the same way.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Money Talks
If believers would draw a stronger line in the sand about the type of movies and shows they’d watch, you’d eventually see a shift in the kinds of movies and shows produced. The entertainment industry is driven by profit and your money speaks volumes.
- It’s not just “what” we watch, but “how much” we watch that we should consider.
- Are we too busy entertaining ourselves to be on mission?
