I am going to address this question because sometime ago a reader of this blog emailed me our question: Is it ever appropriate for Christians to view sexual sins in film?
It might be unpopular and sounds old fashion but my answer then and now is no. It is not appropriate for Christians to view sexual sins in film for the purpose of entertainment.
The brother who emailed me also shared how there are Christians who think that things such as nudity or other sexual themes are okay in film. If I recall correctly, this brother mentioned that these Christians think it is permitable in certain context and depending on what kind of film it is.
I think we must remember Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 5:3:
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
As saints, “there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality” to use the words of the NIV translation of Ephesians 5:3. First off, the person in the screen is not your spouse so they are sharing things that should only be private between a husband and wife. Second, if there are more than two individuals in a film involved with a sexual moment rememebr that these individuals are very likely not married and hence are engaged with lusts and acting upon it (with various degree) with someone else that is not their spouse. We ought not condone and approve the sins of others.
Sometimes I think Christians can end up compromising by thinking the following:
- “But everyone else is watching it!”
- “I like the story!”
- “I can handle it.”
- “I’m watching it for the philosophy and worldview discussion.”
We must remember that the Bible is more concern that we flee from sexual immorality:
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
I don’t know if one can muster a verse that would say it’s okay to be visually entertained sexually of someone that is not your spouse let alone God blessing the excuses given above.
I also realize we live in a day and age that is very sexual in many of our entertainment. I do not want to be legalistic but I hope the following are helpful pastoral advice to navigate through this issue practically with the consideration that we apply it with the motivation of pleasing Jesus who has died for our sins:
- Cultivate in your heart a holy hatred of sin. This involves a deeper love of God and the things of God. When you can’t say no to a film even though it is sexual, you might have an issue of a functional god (an idol) in your life. Meditate on the Gospel so as to change your affection and motivation in resisting sin. If you don’t hate sin, all the advice that follow will only lead you to “manage” your sins rather than mortify it.
- Resolve in your mind that there’s already going to be films you will never watch. You don’t need to experience every film. I find it helpful to think about how short our time of life is, and our responsibilities (spiritual and otherwise). People always get in trouble when they stop forgetting that the are finite with a finite amount of time and abilities, etc. I also find it helpful to think that not watching some movies for the sake of Christ is nothing compared to the big picture of things such as what Jesus has done to save me, etc.
- Research as much as possible about a film before you see it. If, as the result of your research you discover that your conscience is uncomfortable or you know that you will definitely be tempted when you watch the film, then it is wise not to see the film.
- I also realize that no amount of preparation before hand to avoid a bad movie can prevent surprises when one watches a film. As cheesy as it might sound, during those awkward moments practice the art of fast-forwarding and skipping inappropriate scene.
- Make it a habit not to watch films alone. When those shocking moments in a film occur I usually cover my eye as my wife fast-forward it. We also typically reverse role when it comes to violent scenes. Watching film with others also allow conversations afterwards and fellowship if one discuss the film from a Christian worldview, etc. With a group one must also realize that one of the party’s conscience will be more weaker than the other and rather than be upset that this will limit how much movies you can watch, realize this is an opportunity to practice love by not watching a certain film to stumble someone; also realize that sometimes the other person who doesn’t want to watch might actually be right when we want to brush some of the things aside.
- Spend more time with spiritual matters than watching films. Use the following as a diagnostic question concerning your spiritual life: “Am I in the Word and prayer more than I am being entertained by some kind of video media?” You want to focus on things that matter. Be very conscious that video media can easily dull one’s senses to reading, prayers and critical thinking.
I’m not a movie guy but I am a movie guy. To some I’m not a movie guy because I watch the least amount of movies among the people I know from church, work, family and friends. It has also been years since I watched something in theaters. Nor do I own a TV at home. Yet to some I am a movie guy. I am not a dinosaur and I do watch films on DVD. What films I do watch with others I enjoy talking about it intensely afterwards. I would say I enjoy it–but I enjoy film primarily because I want to enjoy God and see things God’s way, even as I watch a movie.
A very good response brother. My wife and I were watching a movie a few days ago and in the middle were two quite explicit (by our standards) sex scenes. We looked away and fast-forwarded but as a man who was a slave to pornography in the past, even a little bit can be a temptation to want to see more.
I agree that as uncool as it may seem, it is vital for us in our Christian walk to be tactical in dealing with sexual matters. Situations may arise when we have no choice but to stand against it, but we shouldn’t seek it out or tolerate it on our own.
Amen Dan, amen.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thank you for sharing this post on your blog Vincent! I hope you are having a blessed day!
My pleasure SJ! I am and likewise!
Very well explained. It is one of many ways that we can seperate ourselves from the lost world… taking a stand against some of these common sinful practices of the lost. Lord bless you and thanks for the encouragements to live holy lives for His glory.
Thank you Rob. I hope it’s practical enough for God’s people as well =)
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
Thank you for sharing my post on your blog!
Reblogged this on Christian Heritage News.
Angela I appreciated that you reblogged this post!
I appreciate you sharing Biblical wisdom with your readers. 🙂
Reblogged this on Truth2Freedom's Blog.
Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for posting this lesson and message – much needed in our day!
You’re welcome!
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Thank you for translating this post!
Thank you for posting this article.
I think I may have been that brother who emailed you Slimjim.
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My main argument against viewing nudity and sexual content in movies is the sin of the producers and actors. Not whether I am induced to sin or not.
Here’s the litmus test. Is there ANYthing in which these producers or actors sinned in creating this film? The parts that you’re closing your eyes though or having your wife cover them or fast forwarding? Are they nude? Are they handling each other sexually? Is it sin that they’re doing that? Being filmed in a room full of strangers so others strangers LIKE you can watch, even if YOU don’t because your eyes are covered?
Would your wife be ok if YOU were that man with that woman as long as other men’s wives covered their husbands eyes too? What if it were your wife with that man? Daughter? Or son for that matter? Would they be sinning any less if people fast forwarded or covered their eyes? Why is it ok for other men and women as long as you hide your eyes and fast forward?
And if it’s not ok, then why are you promoting and financing their sin? (Unless you’re stealing the movies or TV shows?) Is this loving your neighbor as yourself? Paying them to sin and heighten their judgement before God?
This is today’s even otherwise conservative American church. It’s all about me me me. What about them? If you were to bump into one of these actors somewhere, could you tell them they need Jesus after you ask for their autograph and talk about how great their movie was, but assure them that you closed your eyes through “those” scenes? Should they take you seriously?
Listen friends, if it would be sin for you, it’s sin for them and therefore sin for you to participate in any way, on any level. “I closed my eyes” ain’t cuttin it with God. Unless you think Jesus or Paul would watch, but close their eyes too?
Hollywood really DOES have this kind of power. Doesn’t it?
(btw Slimjim, you really didn’t see Frame’s pathetic justification for this? IMDB.com will tell you everything you ever need to know about a movie before seeing it. For over 15 years now. Frame didn’t know that?)
Great article SLIMJIM! Reminds me of a message that I heard from Wayne Wilson at an Undivided Conference (http://undividedconference.org/audio_2014/) and our church (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=817141711421).
Well reasoned, encouraging, biblical and convicting…Thanks for the labor of Love
Much Grace and Peace to you brother
I’ll have to listen to this! Are both messages the same but in different venues?
Oh, I see the second Wilson sermon is new.
My partner says I may have went a little rough here. This is a festering burden on my heart for a while now. Absolutely nothing in the history of the world, since the Baals, has been more spectacularly successful at corrupting and crippling the people of God than that blasphemous morally decomposing filth factory in Hollywood. It just about always finds a way to win. On some level. Which is still not to say it’s always wrong to watch a movie.
Wow thanks for letting me know they are two separate messages. Hollywood is going from bad to worst and I am sadden how some Christians don’t mind it’s worldly values assaulting viewers
Somewhat…you know how preachers never mimic an exact sermon even though they’ve preached it before. They, by God’s grace, look for ways to improve their sermon…
I agree with Tiribulus. That’s a book you definitely want to get!
Grace and Peace to you brothers!
Drop by again sometime Godcentered08 =)
Wayne Wilson’s book is really good too though out of print now. I got it on ebay. I have a conference call prayer meeting in a few hours with a young man I met in the discussion on Trevin Wax’s blog that Wilson references in this sermon.
Thanks for the Amazon link!
Oops, almost forgot
http://www.amazon.com/Worldly-Amusements-Restoring-Lordship-Entertainment/dp/1579212131/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/183-8835956-2400915
He needs to do an updated version and get it back into print. Best treatment ever from a guy who was in the business behind the scenes.
Cap Stewart has some good stuff too, though he and I disagree on what to do about it.
http://www.capstewart.com/2014/12/the-top-ten-posts-of-2014.html
Slimjim says: “Wow thanks for letting me know they are two separate messages.”
🙂 I can’t tell if you’re being a bit snarky or not. 🙂 I had some email conversation with Pastor Wilson a while back. Actually I met him at that same upheaval at Trevin Wax’s place that I was talking about before that he mentions in the first sermon. I didn’t know myself he’d been invited somewhere to do a new one.
Slimjim says: “Hollywood is going from bad to worst”
Indeed. The levels of brain splattering, disemboweling violence, overt in God’s face blasphemous language and unleashed pornographic debauchery now not simply tolerated, but CELEBRATED as “art” and cultural commentary, would have put the assembly at Westminster on their faces in horrified weeping.
Slimjim says: “I am saddened how some Christians don’t mind it’s worldly values assaulting viewers”
Actually it’s most of the visible church now. Research in these areas has been practically a part time job for me the last couple years. Of course it is morally and hence spiritually corrosive to the consumer, but I am genuinely grieved how it is almost NEVER considered that we are paying people to damn themselves to whom we are commanded to portray Christ and be to them salt and light.
Look brother, I know you’re not a libertine on this. It’s just that I wanna beat my head on my keyboard when I see people talking about how THEY don’t look as if it’s then a work of righteousness to consume media that contains that sinful self destructive behavior on the part of the producers and especially the so called performers. Because THEY don’t look.
In historical generations of reformed orthodoxy NObody would have gone NEAR this kind of thing. Spurgeon was right when decrying the theater in HIS day when he said that our puritan forefathers would have gladly died at the stake rather than tolerate the “worldly amusements of a century ago. Can you even imagine what he would say to the spiritually castrated flesh festival that IS the western church today?
Brother,
I’m not being snarky when I said thanks for telling me the two messages are not the same.
I think you made an excellent argument that is sound in this comment and your first comment concerning this point: “we are paying people to damn themselves to whom we are commanded to portray Christ and be to them salt and light.” A very powerful point I might say.
Well bless your heart brother!! You made my night. Seriously. I get a 99% derisive, scornful eye rolling write off practically everywhere I go with this message. It feels good to once a in a while rub shoulders with one of the Lord’s” 7000″ 😉
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Worldly-Amusements-by-Wayne-Wilson-RARE-TITLE-MISPRINT-/330957625049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0e9c96d9
[…] week’s post, “Is it ever appropriate for Christians to view sexual sins in film?” generated a lot of discussion on our page and other […]
[…] the unbeliever? My answer to that would be no. In an earlier post, “Is it ever appropriate for Christians to view sexual sins in film?” I argued that Christians shouldn’t compromise their sanctification in the area […]
[…] Is it ever appropriate for Christians to view sexual sins in film? […]
Jim,
I think this is an important topic and you handled it well without coming across as overly preachy or legalistic which is off-putting to an awful lot of people.
I used to be someone who was very quick to justify immorality on TV and in movies but, the closer I got to God, the more my opinion changed. Cultivating a healthy hatred of sin is the key here and God will help people with that if they are willing to let Him.
I actually get so uncomfortable now watching things I didn’t used to give a second thought to, I have gotten rid of cable.
The problem for most people, I think, is that they don’t want to give up something they love which is a valid point.
But giving up TV and movies isn’t bad when you think about what you can replace them with. Fishing, walking, reading, golf, hobbies, cleaning up the house, relationships, cooking….really, there are a million more productive things people can do than sit around consuming sin if we are only willing to.
Plus, passing on much of the entertainment Christians consume saves money that can be used for tithing or something more useful. My TV service was $130 a month which can pay for a good bit of family fun.
Now if I could only muster up the courage to get rid of my smart phone…
James
To clarify, I didn’t mean something more useful than tithing, I meant more useful than TV and movies.
When I reread that, it didn’t sound the way I wanted it to.
Reading your comment it made me think about how I use to listen to secular songs on the radio…when I finally stopped and filled that time with sermons and lectures I discovered when I have the radio on for a little bit just how ungodly the lyric are! I couldn’t believe some of the things I use to listen to!
What passes for entertainment these days is awful. Not all of it, of course, but enough of it.