Filter
I went to see a movie tonight and realize the impact of the images that we let into our minds and subsequently into our hearts. But do not cast stones when I say that I saw "Hostel". (By the way, please do not see this movie) Do you really think about the things and images that you allow to enter your hearts and minds? As I sat there and watch this barrage of horrible images, how is this glorifying God in anyway at all?
I had a friend who saw a movie recently and had the courage to walk out on it. I on the other hand, had little or no inclination to leave this movie. But as I sit here telling you this, I wonder why didn't I leave the movie? These images are now stuck in my mind and heart.
God created our minds to be powerful tools for us to solely glorify Him. But instead I think that we allow these horrible images and sounds into our minds. Our brains are powerful, and can recall images almost immediately. So what images are you recalling and are they solely being used to glorify God.
Yes, this is a soapbox of mine. But aren't all blogs really. I think that we are very good at making excuses for the movies we watch. I am guilty of it, I love to watch movies and TV shows. It is entertainment and we enjoy a good movie here or there. But the excuses we make for these movies are sometimes just excuses. There needs to be a filter in our minds and hearts, and that filter is the Holy Spirit. Think about the movies that you own, how many of them glorify God or glorify us as a sinful person? Something to think about.
I had a friend who saw a movie recently and had the courage to walk out on it. I on the other hand, had little or no inclination to leave this movie. But as I sit here telling you this, I wonder why didn't I leave the movie? These images are now stuck in my mind and heart.
God created our minds to be powerful tools for us to solely glorify Him. But instead I think that we allow these horrible images and sounds into our minds. Our brains are powerful, and can recall images almost immediately. So what images are you recalling and are they solely being used to glorify God.
Yes, this is a soapbox of mine. But aren't all blogs really. I think that we are very good at making excuses for the movies we watch. I am guilty of it, I love to watch movies and TV shows. It is entertainment and we enjoy a good movie here or there. But the excuses we make for these movies are sometimes just excuses. There needs to be a filter in our minds and hearts, and that filter is the Holy Spirit. Think about the movies that you own, how many of them glorify God or glorify us as a sinful person? Something to think about.
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on Saturday, January 07, 2006 at 1:51 AM.
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Bill,
Good point. I have not seen the movie, but have seen the previews. I am not sure I want to see it.
On the other hand, I think that many of our Christian brothers, go too far the other way, becoming almost too puritanical. They refuse to engage anything. That is not good either.
I think the Spirit gives us discernment in understanding what is beneficial for us in our Spirits and in our missional engagement of the world and culture.
Larry,
It's hard. But I think that the middle is even too far. We must realize and know our mission and understand the world and culture. But I think sometimes in a Christian life we try and do that and it ends up corrupting us more than we ever thought it could. I hope this makes sense.
Sometimes in order to save a drowning soul, you need to dive in and get wet.
I think often we give Satan way too much credit. We doubt the power of God to keep us. I think we do that by confusing holiness as what we should not do. I don't see the issue as corruption, I see it as what is beneficial. If you don't want to think of it as beneficial, that's fine.
Both Jesus and Paul knew the culture of their day. Paul knew all about the gods of Rome and the poets of the Greeks. If he did not, he would have never been able to minister on Mars Hill. Because Paul had experienced and knew those poets, he caused the word to be stirred in the hearts of pagans. Catherine Booth said, "To win a fisherman, we must know and speak the fisherman's language." Do you know how fisherman spoke during her time?
Larry,
Thanks I appreciate those comments. You are so smart. This is an issue in which I have tossed and turned on for many eyars as a Youth Pastor. How much is too much? I believe in the power of God and the power of the Holy Sprit to keep us. But I also think that there is a definate line. It is just finding it in which I find hard.
Bill,
I think the issue is moderation. What is the moderate approach to an extreme Gospel. How does God expect us to act in an extreme world? We connect with extreme conditions not by keeping them at arms length, but diving in and having someone hold us accountable.
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