I genuinely tried to enjoy Beverly Hills Cop- AxelF on Netflix. It had tons of fan service, nods back to the originals, a great soundtrack, but I simply couldn’t put up with all the cussing / JC’s / GD’s throughout. I realize that language was a staple of the original and likely added to that 80’s feel but it simply didn’t work for who I am today.
Every time I heard another cuss or another usage of the Lord’s name in vain, I would deceive myself a little more. I’d make excuses and keep watching, all the while I could feel the Holy Spirit writhing within me, telling me repeatedly to shut the thing off. When I finally noticed that my wife wasn’t watching it with me, it clicked.
We had a brief conversation about it, I finally decided to stop watching the thing. I mentioned services like Vid Angel that’ll happily strip away anything of offense but even then that’s hardly a solution. By watching this stuff, I’m approving it. Even using a service that’d clean up what I find objectionable – that garbage still has to be seen and processed to get there.
In the end, could I picture myself sitting there watching this film with my pastor? With Jesus? Absolutely not. It’s not the first time recently I’ve re-watched something I considered a classic only to be repulsed by it. We sat down to watch the film Road House (the original) and the language, the nudity, the violence – it just didn’t work with who we are today, who I am.
The old me would absolutely be running to the theater to catch the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie. It’s something I’d been looking forward to since the first film came out. Now there is no way I could sit through it. I watched the first two Deadpool flicks and enjoyed them. I could only imagine what’d be left after being run through VidAngel… the credits maybe?
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Matthew 13:16-17
What we allow in through our eyes and ears should be run past the Holy Spirit first and foremost. He’ll likely warn us before we even click the play button, we must heed Him! What we see and hear is what we allow into our hearts. If what we see and hear is entirely sinful – what gain is there for the kingdom? How does it serve Christ?
Jesus did not mince words when it came to what our senses consume, even going to what may seem pretty extreme, but wholly accurate when measured against the eternal cost of allowing sin into our lives.
29 If your right eye causes you to [a]sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:29
I am an absolute movie buff. My love language is obscure movie references. Most days I’ll even get references to shows I have barely watched but know exactly what is being spoken about. Then I’ll stand on a street witnessing a brother in Christ sharing the gospel with a perfect stranger and wonder why I don’t have complete verses memorized like they do.
What fruit is generated for the kingdom of God when I watch a film full of sin? I can’t think of any. Sure I’ll be able to chat with others about that film, share my favorite scenes, even my favorite quotes… but what will that mean when I stand before Jesus after my final breath? Do I think He’ll care that I cried at the end of Terminator 2? I really don’t think so.
He’ll care who I shared His story with, who I shared my testimony with. He’ll want to see that I lived in a way that did not take His name or sacrifice in vain! All the worldly deception I’ve absorbed in the name of entertainment won’t matter one iota or provide a single reason for Him to welcome me to heaven by saying “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
I am absolutely a work in progress here. The Holy Spirit is constantly pruning away the dead branches from my life so I my have a greater focus on the Father and bear fruit. I don’t smoke anymore. I haven’t had a drink in nearly 6 months. I haven’t even fired up my PS5 in nearly a year. The pruning of things that do not elevate Christ will continue until my last breath.
My focus needs to be on Jesus, my wife, my family and my church. Period.
God bless.
