I’m a story-teller, so as you can imagine, I love a tale well-told. Who doesn’t? Have you noticed that modern cinema has a powerful way of telling stories? I can’t imagine there has ever been a more engaging way to deliver a story than the way stories roll out to us in modern film. Powerful images, stunning technology, stirring music, convincing acting, and other elements combine – driven by millions of dollars of funding to create riveting, fast-moving narrative. But you must have noticed that the moral content is often as low as the budget is high.
Recently people have been raving about a movie, so I looked it up to see if it would be something that we should watch together on a family night. Here is just one part of the review on plugged-in online relating to language: “There are at least three f-words, close to 10 s-words and a handful of uses of “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h—” and “bloody.” God’s name is misused four or five times. Vulgar words sporadically stand in for the names of sexual body parts.”
Along with the godless philosophies, religious confusion, moral perversion, gratuitous depravity, nudity, and innuendo that dominate almost everything produced in Hollywood, there seems to be an intentional effort to drag the precious Name of Jesus through the sewer. It is the commandment of God not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
I want the Granville Cottage to be a special place, a slice of heaven on earth, a place where there is a special loyalty and allegiance to the name of Jesus. I want our home to be place where he feels at home and brings the benediction to every evening. He gave me life. He died for me. He gave us our home. It’s only right.
When I don’t filter my media though Philippians 4:8, I end up going to bed grieved and guilty. The sweetness of fellowship with Jesus is gone. I have grieved the Spirit and I am out of fellowship eith Christ. Sometimes I think we should always ask, before we start the DVD or click the mouse, “Can I invite the Lord Jesus to join me in what I am about to see?”
Ken Pierpont
Granville Cottage
Riverview, Michigan
March 10, 2009
Here is a thought-provoking article by Ray Comfort. What do you think?
Thank you for the link and serious thoughts. A few days ago, I came across a plaque with Philippians 4:8 on it, and I was trying to decide if I wanted to hang it above the computer desk or next to the TV!
The link was thought-provoking and convicting. I’m going to share it and start exercising discernment. I want to love the Lord and make sure He shines through me. Aside from Plugged In, do you know of any other good websites that share info about movies that are in keeping with Christ?
I’m not sure, but a quick google search should help you find some.
Thank you so much for sharing this link. Sin doesn’t always kick your door in…sometimes it sneaks in through the cracks. This was a great reminder for me to seal up some of those spaces I may have overlooked. It reminds me of that old saying, “Give Satan an inch and he’ll become your ruler.”
Great article!