Should a Christian go to movies? Is watching a movie a sin?

Beware! The communication media of the day form the mind and character. Immoral and violent TV, radio, movies and literature wreck morals.

It is a wonderfully blessed thing to be able to say, "I have found an object which perfectly satisfies my heart — I have found Christ." It is this which gives true elevation above the world. It renders us thoroughly independent of the resources to which the unconverted heart ever betakes itself. It gives settled rest. It imparts a calmness and quietness to the spirit which the world cannot comprehend. The poor votary of the world may think the life of the true Christian a very slow, dull, stupid affair indeed. He may marvel how such an one can manage to get on without what he calls amusement, recreation, and pleasure; no theatres — no balls or parties — no concerts — no cards or billiards — no hunts or races — no club or news-room — no cricket or croquet parties.

To deprive the unconverted man of such things would almost drive him to despair or lunacy. But the Christian does not want such things, would not have them. They would be a perfect weariness to him. We speak, of course, of the true Christian, of one who is not merely a Christian in name but in reality. Alas! alas! many profess to be Christians, and take very high ground in their profession, who are, nevertheless to be found mixed up in all the vain and frivolous pursuits of the men of this world. They may be seen at the communion table on the Lord's Day and at a theatre or a concert on Monday. They may be found assaying to take part in some one or other of the many branches of Christian work on Sunday, and, during the week, you may see them in the ball-room, at the race-course, or some such scene of folly and vanity.

It is very evident that such persons know nothing of Christ as an object for the heart. Indeed, it is very questionable how any one with a single spark of divine life in the soul can find pleasure in the wretched pursuits of a godless world. The true and earnest Christian turns away from such things — turns away instinctively. And this, not merely because of the positive wrong and evil of them — though most surely he feels them to be wrong and evil — but because he has no taste for them, and because he has found something infinitely superior, something which perfectly satisfies all the desires of the new nature. Could we imagine an angel from heaven taking pleasure at a ball, a theatre, or a racecourse? The bare thought is supremely ridiculous. All such scenes are perfectly foreign to a heavenly being.

And what is a Christian? He is a heavenly man; he is a partaker of the divine nature. He is dead to the world — dead to sin — alive to God. He has not a single link with the world. He belongs to heaven. He is no more of the world than Christ his Lord. Could Christ take part in the amusements, gaieties, and follies of the world? The very idea were blasphemy. Well, then, what of the Christian? Is he to be found where his Lord could not be? Can he consistently take part in things which he knows in his heart are contrary to Christ? Can he go into places, and scenes, and circumstances in which he must admit his Saviour and Lord can take no part? Can he go and have fellowship with a world which hates the One to whom he professes to owe everything?

There are, however, many games and amusements of an entirely innocent character which we may freely enjoy without joining with the world. I am not too old to heartily enter into and thoroughly enjoy recreation with young people. Our homes should be bright, happy and attractive.

We can make no rule about entertainment. The buoyancy of youth demands a certain amount of liberty which, if kept under godly limits and controlled by godly principles, is all right. For my own part, I have no desire to visit exhibitions and other shows, not on the ground that these amusements are sinful, but simply because I am satisfied without them. Christ and His interests are enough. Besides, souls are perishing and eternity is nearing, and I have neither time nor inclination to mingle with the world in admiring its toys and sharing in its pleasures.

It is a mistake of course to suppose that the renewed mind must never occupy itself with any other book than the Bible. Ignorance is not a virtue nor does scripture call it “bliss.” The renewed mind will not be content with idleness, and even reading for instruction will take on a new interest as we look at all subjects against the background of our knowledge of God's word and will. As for reading for recreation, one would only say, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Rom. 14:5) But whatever we read, or indeed listen to or look at, let us not forget that the great enemy is on the watch to find an opportunity to break down our loyalty to Christ. Satan will try to educate us along a path that leads to doubt and unbelief; and will turn a means of recreation into one of desecration if he can. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (John 5:21)

Alas! the notice boards outside many places of Christian worship tell a different tale. What mean these placards announcing “entertainments,” “amateur theatricals,” or “concerts”—not very sacred either—or that one giving details of “a great political demonstration”? Some fifteen or twenty years ago things had gone so far that a godly minister felt himself constrained to publish a booklet on this very thing, entitled The Devil’s Mission of Amusement, and that mission has continued unabated to the present hour.

Oh! beloved friend, why do you go on with these things? Are they sanctioned by the Word of God? Were such things adopted by our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles, even as a means of attracting the crowds? No. Do they win the people? Are sinners saved? Do they, repentant and forgiven, go rejoicing away? No. Are believers refreshed? Do you know of any who have made spiritual progress under the influence of an entertainment? Do Christians really get helped by them? No. But possibly you do know of young Christians who have by these very things taken the first step on a sad and declining pathway.

Questions about music, painting, dress-making &c. - how far one could carry them on with Christ? If a thing is a snare to ME, I must give it up entirely. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Different things are snares to different people. If I can go on simply with God with my calling, all well. If I cannot, I must give it up. It is an individual thing with God. I cannot judge what may be a snare to you. If it is a snare, let it go.

Our natural tendency is to get pleasures for self. Innocent they may be but they take the heart from God; they are spoiled by sin. People ask the harm of these things. The question is, What use are you making of them, and where is your heart? The moment there is a turning from the cross (death to everything) our Lord says, "Get thee behind me."

Character is formed, to a great extent, by what we read and hear and see. The artificial culture of the day destroys depth and force of character. Today's entertainment and light literature are forming a superficial race of men and women. The present is a rare opportunity for individual character to shine and leave its mark. Indiscriminate reading, listening and viewing to while away free time are ruinous to the mind. Thoughts pour in and run out, at best leaving no lasting impression — what a waste of time and of mind!

What do we see? There are so many things we can see today – too many things I would say. We must admit this and bow before God because of that, and humble ourselves, because we see too many things to the detriment of the eyes of our hearts. Consequently we do not find the time to see Jesus. This is a very real problem today. We think we have to see all kinds of things, but really we do not have to. Our judgment is marred and deteriorating, we cannot distinguish between good and evil any more, because these images criss-cross our minds, and we are drawn away from the Lord Jesus. The Hebrews did not have these problems, but we do. It would be a lie to say that we do not like these images, and not only the young ones. Children, what a danger it is to be all the time occupied with these big and little screens. Young people, it is the same for you and the older ones.