It's Only a Movie!
Paul, writing to the Romans, describes the wickedness of mankind, and finishes it off with a list of adjectives with which most of us would not label ourselves.
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
I have been thinking lately how much this applies to our culture, with its addiction to entertainment.
Paul is saying, "this list describes wicked people, and yes, even though you agree with me, you may be shocked to realize you do the same things, as well as approve of those who do them!"
Some of us are quick to point out "I don't approve of such things!" Oh, really? Recently I found myself having some free time on my hands. Not feeling very well physically, I decided to lay on the couch and watch an old Jackie Chan movie from before I was born. It was entertaining, of course, but what was the outcome of the movie? The main character is bullied by his peers, until he learns Kung-Fu, and then is able to kill the bad guys with his bare hands in revenge.
Now, my thought is, if I find this entertaining, am I not approving of such behaviour? And if I am approving of such behaviour, then I am worthy of death, being just as wicked as those who do such things.
Is revenge killing good? Is it acceptable to find it entertaining?
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for seet, and seet for bitter!" (Is. 5:20)
But, it's only a movie! It's not real! I'm just taking pleasure in fake sin, it has no real consequences otherwise."
That's not how Jesus put it:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ''You shall not murder' , and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement.
...
You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultury.' But I say to to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
It's only a movie?
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them."
I have been thinking lately how much this applies to our culture, with its addiction to entertainment.
Paul is saying, "this list describes wicked people, and yes, even though you agree with me, you may be shocked to realize you do the same things, as well as approve of those who do them!"
Some of us are quick to point out "I don't approve of such things!" Oh, really? Recently I found myself having some free time on my hands. Not feeling very well physically, I decided to lay on the couch and watch an old Jackie Chan movie from before I was born. It was entertaining, of course, but what was the outcome of the movie? The main character is bullied by his peers, until he learns Kung-Fu, and then is able to kill the bad guys with his bare hands in revenge.
Now, my thought is, if I find this entertaining, am I not approving of such behaviour? And if I am approving of such behaviour, then I am worthy of death, being just as wicked as those who do such things.
Is revenge killing good? Is it acceptable to find it entertaining?
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for seet, and seet for bitter!" (Is. 5:20)
But, it's only a movie! It's not real! I'm just taking pleasure in fake sin, it has no real consequences otherwise."
That's not how Jesus put it:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ''You shall not murder' , and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement.
...
You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultury.' But I say to to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
It's only a movie?