Is it ok to watch movies?

My answer to your question--yes, I think watching movies is a great way to renew your mind, and, if you have a family, a great way to spend some family time. Yes, you have to be cautious about what you watch.

At our house we like to watch DVDs from BBC of English Classics, such as Charles Dickens, Bronte Sisters, Jane Austen, and such. My wife bought me the Hornblower Series, which I enjoy very much. We also like to watch history documentaries. My Christmas present was BBC's A History of Scotland (10-part series). And the Planet Earth series is nice if you like to watch nature documentaries.

We do not watch new releases very often.

. . .

I live in Kentucky, USA. Do you have any movies produced locally there in South Africa?

...Bob

 

This is a matter of Christian liberty. If God is on you about what you are watching, you better find something better to do.

 

Clearplay.com is what I use to watch movies. Without Clearplay, I find very few movies I would watch, since they all contain profanity and sexuality.

 

Clearplay looks very interesting; but you have to buy the DVD player AND purchase a membership?

 

I have no desire to watch movies much. I love to be up and about my fathers business most of the time. If it is not for the Lord and his glory I have no desire for it. Just the honest truth. Not to cast a snare on them that do I see nothing wrong with doing so as long as you make it not your God.:thumbs:

 

There are many on here who have reached a level of sanctification I only hope to achieve. I say that jokingly and serious, if some of the answers are truthful.

 

I'm watching Iron Man 2 right now.

If you are smart about what you watch, check stuff like www.kids-in-mind.com to see what actually is in a movie, its not a big deal. Kick back, enjoy a box of popcorn, and enjoy some movies. I'm sure we can start with a list of recommended titles...

 

Agree.

Also agree.

 

Yes, you do have to purchase both. The DVD player can be found cheaper (used) on eBay. Also check your local Christian bookstores. I found mine for half price there.

 

I don't go to the theater to see movies, not because I think it is wrong but because the theater in my town is dirty and has bad climate control. For movies I watch at home, I use this rule of thumb: If the performance were being given live, is it something I would tolerate being done in my home. If not, we don't watch the movie.

 

I watch little TV and movies for the very reasons you mentioned. When I do watch TV I like history and nature shows. The news is ok, but too much is depressing.

 

My DVD player has TV Guardian on it. Once you set up the types of words you do not want to hear, it just blanks them out. Because it works from the Closed Captioning, it may miss a word once in a while if the dialog is not typed in right. I like not having to subscribe to anything for it to work. I just turn it on and let it go.

 

Paul said he counted all things worthless except Jesus and Him crucified. The believer has to keep a single eye. Satan creeps in very quietly and subtle. I prefer spending the time in my prayer place alone with God and my bible. The more things of the world we let in, the less we deny ourselves. Yes you are meant to renew your mind and guard your heart.

 

I think the question is too general. I would have to answer that it depends on two things:

1. Do you mean all films/movies, regardless of their content? The Hiding Place, based on Corrie Ten Boom's book of the same title, is quite different from (for instance) The Exorcist, which here in the UK has an "18" rating. That is, the British Board of Film Censors say that its content makes it unsuitable for people under the age of 18. We as Christians would say (wouldn't we?) that if it is unsuitable for a 17 year old to watch (because of disgusting language, explicit sex scenes, or whatever) then it is unsuitable for anyone to watch. In other words, I don't believe that the medium of moving pictures is sinful in itself, but like all other media, it can be used in a sinful way.

2. If you decide to watch a movie when you know you should be preparing a sermon, visiting a church member in hospital, or similar, then that would be wrong.

So I say, "It all depends!"

 

I pretty much quit watching movies years ago, or at the least have limited them. Once in a while though we will watch one that one of the kids would like to see. There is seemingly always some politically correct message in it, earth worship, acceptance of h*m*sectuals, things of this nature. We are careful to look for these in the movies and then comment on it to the kids with a Biblical truth to dispell this.

We hardly ever watch a movie though. I have never been infatuated with "stars" as the world has been. To me, frankly, their lifestyles are what is taught against in 1 Thessalonians 4, (amongst other epistles with imperatives to not hang around it) so we will not allow them to influence us, as their whole thing is to win you over by acting, cause you to accept their message, and many people allow that winning them over to carry over into worshipping the person, and then dressing, behaving, and adopting the attitudes and sayings thereof. It's the same things kids do with their music "stars." I know some will say something along the lines of "well, what are we supposed to do, not have any contact with anyone, everybody has their faults..." To that I say, I choose Biblical principles over logic. I'll lean on this rather than my own understanding, it's much safer there.

I can't go to my (certain family members) without said saying "sit down and watch TV" where said will sit for hours on end. Saids life revolves around what the media says, what Oprah says, What Maury says, and what the reality shows are teaching and doing. This has effected said person to the negative, wherein the Gospel was once embraced, now said person uses "The Secrets" applications to life, because to her it is truth. I know this is to an extreme, but can we take fire into our bosom and not be burned? What do the Proverbs teach us about guarding our hearts? I don't need a proof-text when the principles are there. But maybe that's just me, so don't get twisted over it. I just get this concept from the Scriptures.

To those who go, of course it's OK, and that is fine, but balance it with Scriptural principles, or perhaps refrain and ask is this good to put into my heart and mind? To those who don't, they lay claim to biblical principles to not go, not a proof-text. To each his own, I choose to pretty much refrain from attending. I have enough trouble without inviting more into my home.

- Blessings