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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Cute Movies: Huge Exposure to Sin

Well I thought I would write a blog about this in order to show another side to movies and fairy tales that we are often blind to. I made a post on my Facebook about being disappointed in Focus on the Family, for a movie review that made the statement at the end "Frozen is then, perhaps, family entertainment for the new generation" (pluggedin.com).
I was disappointed in the statement, because, in the review many things are pointed out in the movie that children should not be exposed to but more then anything to me was magic. As a fully devoted follower of Christ I understand what the Word says about magic or sorcery, among other things that many children's movies have in them: basically all of Galatians 5:20-21 "sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things LIKE these." There is generally a rival, and someone has fits of rage, and there is magic in most Children's movies. Things like these should not be entertainment for "families of a new generation". Instead anyone who is in Christ should be looking carefully at exposure to these things and not taking them lightly, instead of dismissing these things because it is the "generation we live in and the plot is good". Resist the devil....
So many people do not see this point of view, I have heard over and over again, well its a great plot and everything works out well in the end. Yes, yes indeed, many things that are not of Christ but of satan are wrapped in a pretty, cute, fun, wonderful package and hand delivered by demons to our little boys and girls. I take this personally and seriously, satan is attacking the hearts and minds of our babies. My small children are under attack and being sucked in. I also hear the "well we watched movies like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc, as children and nothing is wrong with us" this brings me to my blog tomorrow that will be called "do fairy tales set us up for divorce?"
I am really thankful many movies are focusing on different stories now, not the Prince Charming, like Frozen is, it is not about the man, it is about a relationship with a sister instead. That part is lovely!! Still I cannot allow my daughter to watch it. People often tell me that my daughter will go wild if I shelter her to much, I used to think the same way until I saw real life truth on the matter, I know several families whose children never went wild. It was how it was presented, it is not a NO YOU CAN'T, but instead families are having real life discussions on WHY, showing how to walk with Jesus and allowing children to be key decision makers. I discuss with my daughter why we don't do certain things, we go to the Word and see what it says and pray and then we decide what truly honors God. I answer questions she has by digging in the Word, and telling her the truth. If I don't have an answer I seek guidance from friends or family grounded in the Word and faith. I don't shelter her, instead I tell her the truth, I equip her with the Truth, the Word of God, and I do my best to instill in her good decision making abilities, and I teach her how to hear God. I KNOW that at school or other places she is exposed to things that I would not approve up, and I am okay with that, I know she is her own person and I have to trust that God will watch over her, (prayer is helpful with that!) and I also ensure that I listen to the little things, and don't immediately punish etc when she shares with me a bad choice. Instead we talk, we look at the Word and usually she can tell me why the choice was wrong and how she felt when she made the choice. I think she will do just fine in life and not "go wild".
 Life isn't always easy when you have to make choices to go against "normal". Films with magic or anything that is not a fruit of the Spirit should not be a normal, or entertainment for the new generation family, we should still be living with the same morals and values the Word speaks of. There should be no "well I am sure God meant XYZ, He says what He means, and we also need to listen to the Holy Spirit leading us on the inside. I would love to blend in and not take ridicule from friends or family about choices that we make as a family, but more than anything I want to honor my Lord and that comes first. I made the mistake last summer to sit and watch Madagascar 3 (I think) with our neighborhood, I wanted to be with the people and get to know others, I thought it was going to be a family friendly film and I knew as soon as I saw the title I should get up and walk away. But I didn't, I did NOT want to be that mom that leaves because I don't think a movie is good for kids, I didn't want to be embarrassed or make my family upset, so I stayed. The entire time on the inside I was ashamed, I didn't let my light shine, instead I hid, I could have offered another movie choice or said something before it started in private to the person who coordinated everything. The movie wasn't even decided on until everyone had arrived. I should have taken a stand. Not to be holier than thou, but to not allow satan a stronghold anywhere in my family. I see families fall apart around me daily, not just at work, friends families, and family families too. When we accept the pretty package that has just a "tiny little part in it that is ugly" and we justify it then we have allowed something other than God into our homes.
I measure magic or sorcery as such "anything that is supernatural that is not from God".
In our family we make choices by seeing if there is anything that should not be from Galatians 5:20-21 (and other verses) but we also make choices by seeing if it DOES have the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Along with Philippians 4:8 whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there is any virtue or praise think on these things".
If there is a tiny little part that doesn't fit those two scriptures then we say no.
I know this is not understood by everyone, but those who know the Word, it is time to stand up and pay attention, what are we putting into the hearts and minds of children or ourselves? Is what we are seeing truly pleasing to God? None of us are perfect, I fall short everyday, I stand back up and try again, daily, I struggle like anyone else, I just feel like it is time for some of us to stand up and bring light where there is darkness, its time to fight the dark and bring revival to our land. Time is short.

4 comments:

  1. I could not disagree with you more. I not only allow my 2 year old son to watch this movie but I embrace this movies message. It's not about the "magic" or the "sorcery" Sure those are components but the bottom line message is LOVE. Love drove the king to close the gates to protect his daughter from those who would condemn her--Did the masses non condemn Christ--who could by definition be considered a "sorcerer" I'm not capable of turning water to wine...how about you? Then there is the act of love from a sister--she would rather sacrifice herself to save her sibling than to go after her own selfish wants and be saved by a true loves kiss.

    I believe in God, and I hope that my son does too--but I'm also more than willing to expose him to a secular world because it DOES exist, and I believe if I shelter him that I'm doing him a disservice...and at the end of the day that would be the sin, not his being allowed to watch a cartoon.

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  2. It's okay to disagree! Thank you for your thoughts!

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  3. Hi from ICLW. I agree with you that too often there are hidden messages in tv shows and movies that are not appropriate for children (or adults). The devil isn't going to just walk in your home wearing a red suit and pitch fork...that would make it obvious. As you said, he comes dressed up in pretty clothes and saying nice things so that we don't see who he really is and what he is really trying to do.

    waitingforbabybird.com

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  4. I'm apparently the only person in the world who hasn't seen Frozen, so can't weigh in on that, but your daughter sounds like a very smart and sincere little girl.

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