Your take on movies, video games, and music!

[AmberFH]

So... many people say that we should not mess with violent movies, video games, or music, because it influences us. I'm not sure if I'm blind to it or just not worried about it because I'm not in danger, but movies, video games, and music don't bother me. I play plenty of video games and listen to plenty of music. I stay away from pornographic video games and music that has extreme sexual content or extreme profanity. (I'm okay with a little profanity) They do make me uncomfortable.

But I have never felt influenced by this media. Angry songs don't make me angry, angry video games don't make me angry, and violent movies don't make me want to go out and kill someone, nor do they make me think that violence is okay. I don't feel at all that I'm in spiritual danger from these things.

The only thing that bothers me about media such as movies, video games, and music, is that I don't want to enjoy them too much. They fall into the long list of earthly pleasures that I'm worried will try to separate me from God, or keep me from putting God on top. I have a question about earthly pleasures, but that's for another thread...

What I want to know here is, do you think I'm just horribly deluded, or am I not worried because I have no reason to be? Again, I don't feel the least bit in danger by any "content" that is supposed to influence me. I think it's because I know it's all fictional. The real world is what I'm most afraid of. I'm afraid of other people, for example, because peer pressure is hard to fight. I feel more like I'm influenced heavily by other people than by some fictional thing that doesn't really exist.

Sorry for rambling... I had to explain my mindset before I could ask for your opinion. What do you think about media? Do you think I'm just blind to the truth, or that my conscience is being quiet because I'm really not in danger? My conscience is pinging me more about making sure my mind is on God, than about anything I might be watching or listening to. And also it's telling me I should stop being lazy. And there are a couple songs on my playlist I can no longer listen to, because I don't feel comfortable. I think the worst was "Rap God" by Eminem. I used to enjoy that song as recent as a month ago, but now I can't listen to it because it references satan and that makes me uncomfortable.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Greetings @AmberFH

I am guessing that by your convictions you already know the answers to the questions you raise....

Seek the Lord in prayer and ponder His word
He will lead you in the right way

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:15

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee*


*From Take my Life - Hymn - Frances Harvergal 1874

 

[Shutterbug]

So... many people say that we should not mess with violent movies, video games, or music, because it influences us. I'm not sure if I'm blind to it or just not worried about it because I'm not in danger, but movies, video games, and music don't bother me. I play plenty of video games and listen to plenty of music. I stay away from pornographic video games and music that has extreme sexual content or extreme profanity. (I'm okay with a little profanity) They do make me uncomfortable.

Good morning Amber;

You may find the rare person who goes psychotic, but that person already has social issues. I guess the answer would be, "What kind of message about Christianity do you want the world to know?". There is nothing wrong with telling the World that you are not afraid to stand your ground and mix it up. Ensure that your faith in Christ is treated similarly in that you're quite willing to engage in dialogue and retreat tactfully and not fearfully. There are two characters in the Old Testament which had similar resolve, but were quite different in nature. One, is King David. He was quite willing to resort to violence in defence if the occasion merited it. The other is Daniel, who preferred a less dramatic resolution, but was equally resolved.

To be a good soldier, one plays a balancing act of being on the defensive, but willing to go on the offensive as the situation demands as you would quickly learn from the games. It's been said to train as you will fight for you will fight as you were trained. In this case, being a soldier of the Cross is more about spiritual battles, not so much physical.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Cheers, John
Phil 4:8

 

[Travis]

There are many things that God hates, He cannot stand to be around them.

When we walk close with the Lord, we become much more aware of what bugs Him and what doesn't.

So, I guess my way of looking at is isn't so much, "Does this bother me, and if it doesn't then it's probably not too bad," but more so, "Does this bother the Lord?" And if it bothers the Lord, how could it possibly be in any way good? It's hard to answer that second question unless one is walking closely with Him.

Blessings!

Travis

 

[AmberFH]

Thanks guys. I realized last night a few hours after I posted the question that there were quite a few songs on my playlist that shouldn't be there, so I deleted them. I think the songs were the worst, but I have decided to stop watching certain series on TV as well. I think you are right, the fact that I am questioning anything means there's a reason I'm questioning it. I feel much better after weeding out my playlist.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Thanks guys. I realized last night a few hours after I posted the question that there were quite a few songs on my playlist that shouldn't be there, so I deleted them. I think the songs were the worst, but I have decided to stop watching certain series on TV as well. I think you are right, the fact that I am questioning anything means there's a reason I'm questioning it. I feel much better after weeding out my playlist.

That's so good to hear @AmberFH

The Lord will lead you in His ways if you continue to seek His will in your life through prayer and studying His word.

Blessings to you

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

Thanks guys. I realized last night a few hours after I posted the question that there were quite a few songs on my playlist that shouldn't be there, so I deleted them. I think the songs were the worst, but I have decided to stop watching certain series on TV as well. I think you are right, the fact that I am questioning anything means there's a reason I'm questioning it. I feel much better after weeding out my playlist.

Greetings Amber,
The problem comes when we allow things to enter into our beings via music movies etc that we think are "Not that bad" and it does not bother me. It is all getting planted into your thinking and mind and heart. Just as the written word of God changes how we think or act so does everything else especially that so called loving advice others tend to push your way.

Eventually all that wrong thinking ( anything that can not hang with Jesus ) will have to come out. These thoughts are worming around in you and now you are going to have to dig them up and out. There will come a time if you are truly walking with God.
So He warns us about what kind of things to say and hear so we do not have to get to the point and weed all those thought weeds back out of us. That slows your growth down big time.

Just thought I would add this to these post. Oh and I leanred this because I was one of those who could listen to anything I wanted and so forth because it did not bother me.....That was stinken thinken
God Bless
Jim