Movie Night

From time to time, my family and I enjoy a good old fashioned movie night. Years ago we made the decision to disconnect from "commercial television" and don't even get a signal in the house anymore. If we want to watch a movie, we either buy it, borrow it or go to the local library to check it out. Movie night in our house usually consists of homemade pizza, popped corn and lots of blankets and pillows.

Now, you must understand...if my husband and I are going to gather the entire family for a time in front of the TV, the movie itself must submit to our house rules. First, there should be no foul language or cursing. Second, no sexuality/sensuality ("There must not even be a hint of sexual immorality..for these things are improper for God's holy people"). Third, any movie that is laced with gore, intense violence (for the sake of entertainment only) and horror themed- NEVER makes it into our home. And lastly, and most importantly- there has to be a theme that points us to Christ or doesn't confuse us about true theology. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than watching a "Christian" movie that is filled with more heresy and false teaching- and does more damage than a Hollywood film ever could.

One of my favorite genre's as a young adult was black and white classical movies. So, we decided to pull in some Fred Astaire's and Cary Grant's and do you know what we found? With an exception of profanity and gore, they still include sexual innuendos, sensual and immodest clothing (sure, call 'em ballet dance outfits if you like- they still look like scantily clad bikini wearers to me) and sometimes the overall theme points away from what God desires in His holy people.

Now you are all wondering- what about 'just for you- or just for your husband'. Yes, there are movies, documentaries and news stories (not appropriate for a five and seven year old) that my husband and I will watch, but the overall concept of our house rules still apply. I'm old enough to watch R rated movies by the fact that I'm over 18, but choose not to. I'm married and have children...does that now give me the right to 'appreciate' movies that are filled with cursing, sexual themes and coarse joking? If you are bought by the blood of Christ, His spirit lives within you and it should be our desire to live by the spirit- and not by the flesh.

Philippians 4:8 says this- "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."

Sister in Christ, be reminded that this scripture does apply to the movies we watch, the books we read, the magazines we delve into and the people we fall into conversation with. I am guilty of not following by my own standards many times...fooling myself to believe that a movie will be 'mostly clean' and then filling my heart with grief because little by little, I'm hardening myself to His gentle spirit.

I'm sure there are plenty of online reviewers for movies, but one of our favorites is the following: Plugged In by Focus on the Family. I don't always agree with their overall rating of the film or write up, it does give the reader the opportunity to assess each movie by category (violence, sexual content, language, etc.). I encourage you to stop by...before you check out that next movie.

Blessings,

Angelena