Is it a sin to watch TV and go to the movies? Where does it say that? What about rated G and PG movies, as well as Christian movies?
This is a difficult question to answer because the scriptures do not mention TV or movies. Therefore we look for principles that are taught in the Word that will help us in making decisions like this.
This is what the movie rating systems are based on:
Rated G: General Audiences – all ages admitted.
Rated PG: Parental Guidance Suggested – some material may not be suitable for children.
Rated PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned – some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Rated R: Restricted – under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
When I read this, I am reminded that this system is not governed by Christian principles, but by what the world determines. If the world cautions parents against letting their child watch a particular movie, then believers should have an even stricter standard. Some things that will cause a movie to be rated PG-13 or R, are strong language, morality, nudity or partial nudity. Is that something we should watch?
What do you want to fill your mind with? What do you want to fill your child’s mind with? Would you allow your children to watch a movie (or a TV show) that has language in it that you would not allow your children to use? Would you allow your children to see a movie that glorifies violence when you are trying to teach your child not to be violent? Can you justify watching a violent movie to your children when you are teaching them that violence is wrong?
There is also the danger of exposing your children to different religions, making them to be acceptable and valid. Two Disney movies (and there may be others) are “MULAN” and “ALADDIN”, which according to reviews, include Islamic thought. According to the reviews, “Disney’s Aladdin visibly integrates aspects of the Islamic faith. The film most notably does so in its direct and repeated mentions of Allah by a multitude of characters.” In considering watching movies or TV, let’s consider a couple of scriptures:
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1 John 2:16-17, “For ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
These verses point out the evil that is in the world. Have you ever heard the term GIGO? That means Garbage In, Garbage Out. What we take in determines what comes out of us. I caution you not to fill your days with things of the world. I cannot dictate to you what you should do concerning watching movies. Consider the verses above and ask the Lord for His guidance so that you might do His will.
What about ‘Christian movies’? They are a huge danger also. So many times, Hollywood gets hold of a Bible story, twists it around and makes a movie out it. Much is added to the Bible accounts to make a more interesting story that people enjoy watching. People get confused, thinking that what the movie shows is in agreement with what the Bible says. We cannot assume that what we see in the ‘Christian movie’ is all scriptural. This is why I think there is a danger in watching so-called Christian movies.
I will end this meditation with one more verse for you to consider. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” (303.2)