WHAT IS WRONG WITH GOING TO MOVIE HOUSES

May 21, 2005

by Andres C. Guevara Jr. 

Introduction: Some believes even mislead religious leader that going to movie houses is not wrong. Therefore, they never grow in their Christian life. Consequently, they are slaves and unaware of the deceiving, and destructing power against their testimony in Christ. The lack of knowledge on our Lord Jesus Christ reveals how nearer they are in the world. Here are some points why it is wrong to go to movie houses:

I- THE PLACE DESCRIBED

A. Dark Place

It was place where young teenagers make their hidden immoral acts from the God-given authority of the parents secretly. It was a place where some folks wants to release their long lustful intense to their partners. They might openly confuse some children or destruct other audience who unintentionally see vividly this bad public example. In the book of Ephesians Paul warns us when he said "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"--Ephesians 5:11

B. Destructive Place

It could be a place where some illegal, destructive and dangerous drugs users might penetrate freely. Among them are the marijuana, some kind of syrup, and shabu. Some drug users take it at the comfort room. A person who never smoke and even hate nicotine, surprisingly find out their garments smell cigarette. The Apostle said, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance (every form) of evil- I Thessalonians 5:21-22

C. Deceiving Place

More spectators even some Christians watch and wholeheartedly believe and enjoy some unbiblical, ungodly stories where their emotions and mental focus were carried away by the false narrative and world of fantasies. Thus, mostly it does not contribute truth for the spiritual benefits of a child of God instead they were deceived by its standard and philosophy. Again, Paul warns in Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after the Christ.

II- THE PURPOSE DESIRED

A. Pleasure Time

Families spend precious moments together by going inside movie houses just to watch comedy, historical, cultural or drama film that features Filipino lifestyle. Their motives are right but their means are not, the film has no malicious, no dirty lines of dialogue let us say, but the place still not the right place. The place does not change on its description no matter what kind of film will be shown. When it comes to the matter of pleasures, each godly Christian family should take the Word as its final authority. In Revelations 4:11 gives us the purpose for family pleasures and leisure times, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. In our relaxation moments the believer' s priority is God' s pleasure and not ours.

B. Personal Taste

People want to go and watch movies at the cinema house instead at home through CD film because they personally enjoy going out and feel more exciting and enjoyable together with their friends than staying at home and watching their favorites at the TV or computer screen. Whether it is on the movie houses or TV screen the film still the same, the Christ-less principle and worldly philosophy still being registered in the mind of the spectators. Going in the movie houses is a matter of personal choice. The Apostle Paul says "Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Then he continued, "what I shall chose I wot not."--Philippians 1:20, 22.

C. Promote Thrill of Celebration

Occasionally and traditionally as expected people celebrate their birthdays by going into the movie houses whether with their family or friends. Part of birthday celebration is to watch movie with unscriptural script and the celebrants become more nearer to the world. We must guard our mind against worldly things that would be injected on it. The Bible says, "be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"--Romans 12:2. We must also guard our eyes as the Bible says, I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."--Psalm 101:3

III- THE PROCEDURE DEFENSE

A. Redeemed the time.

Do not waste your time but rather use it wisely because the days are evil. We must understand the will of the Lord and not absorbed the ways of the world"--Ephesians 5:15-17. Wasting your time is idleness. Idleness was one of the sins mentioned that led Sodom into destruction."--Ezekiel 16:49.

B. Read the Bible regularly.

The Holy Scriptures can sanctify us- John 17:17. Sanctification is the will of God in the lives of the believers- I Thessalonians 4:3-7. The more you love the Word the more you become conqueror of the world.

C. Recognize the presence of the Lord.

Ask Jesus Christ permission if He will be with you on the place. Seek for His approval before you go to a certain questionable place. Does Jesus Christ enjoy the film and agree with the worldly philosophies of the script writers? Does Jesus enjoy the place where others do the wicked hidden practices? Does it glorify God? - I Corinthians 6:19-20. The Apostle Paul prayed that we might walk worthy of the Lord' s sacrifice and that we must bring full satisfaction on the Lord - Colossians 1:10.

D. Revere God's Holy Name.

Whatsoever we do, do it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--Colossians 3:17. Wherever, whenever and whatsoever you do it must be in reverence of His Holy Name. Absolutely, we can never bless His Name for that unscriptural world's philosophies and corrupt evil doing of some audience. Let us bless His Holy Name--Psalms 103:1-2, 20-22.

E. Ready for Christ's coming.

Are you prepared for the Lord' s imminent appearance? Jesus is sure coming for you and for me as He promised for all Christians. Paul prayed that believer' s whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ--I Thessalonians 5:23. How? Therefore, glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God' s--I Corinthians 6:19-20. The Bible says: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.--II Corinthians 5:10. There is an emphasis on Purity and holiness. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints--I Thessalonians 3:13.