I’m sure that there isn’t a Christian who has not been asked a variant of that question at least once during his/her walk with God. Perhaps you have been been questioned by God or a Christian friend? It’s a question that I’ve heard before --- many times over. And it is usually is in connection with the films that I watch.

My first response in the past has been something like, “What’s it to you? It’s my life.” But I couldn’t really say that without people kind of worrying about me.

For a while I thought that my friends were just passing judgment on me and my tastes. But I have since come to realize that they ask me the question, not out of spite or judgment, but out of love and concern.

In the past I have been tempted to answer the question with Matthew 7:3, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” But saying this would not prove much because in the end we are all human and human nature is nothing less than flawed.

The old adage you are what you eat is true. You eat crap you’ll look like crap. And that does include what you take in visually, mentally and emotionally. So I should say before too long that I am not trying to give an excuse as to why I watch the films that I watch but instead I will try to explain why I watch them.

If I can remember a film that I have watched, then I will admit that I watched it. I don’t care if morally it was a good film or a bad one. I feel that when something is in the past, then that is where it should remain. That does not mean that because I am a stronger Christian that I will go back to watch a film that I thought was crap four years ago because that does not prove much. I doubt God will illuminate any dark treasure that I missed before in the film now that I know more of God.

Ever since I began to grow more in God, He has time and time again used films to further illustrate Biblical points to me, whether the point is about love, forgiveness, redemption or human nature. Sometimes the message of a non-Christian’s favorite movie will help me illustrate some of the foundations of my faith.

Some watch a film like American Beauty and feel slimed and I can understand why. Yet for me I saw things that made me appreciate life more and I would gladly share my feelings with anyone who asks me to. And maybe if the person were willing I’d even ask that person to watch the film afterwards and see if he or she can understand my point of view.

Recently I was talking with a friend about why I didn’t go to church on a recent Sunday morning. I said I didn’t feel like it and so I watched Magnolia instead. He said something like I must have felt disgusted with it (the language is tough). I said I don’t feel disgusted when watching it. I feel uplifted, sad and happy. I connected with the story on a personal level. I discovered what true forgiveness means to God. It’s not about holding grudges for past wrong doings but is about saying that was the past and I am going to love you for what you have become and not hold anything against you. It’s simple yet true and a film helped me understand Jesus’ principle because it showed me how it really does work in life.

I know there are many people who will not understand my views of secular film. Some will only see the sex, the foul language and the violence and know that a film is not for them. I totally respect their choices because God has required something from them and it is good that they follow His will for them.

Perhaps when watching a film that you don’t know if God would want you to watch you should ask yourself: What is my intention while watching this?

If your intentions and motives are not pure then you should not watch something. It is as simple as that. If you watch a film to get turned on by the material whether it is violence, sex or cars then you should not watch it. If it does not help you in your walk with God then stay away from it. I know this because I have been in that place before and it just isn’t healthy. But for me when I watch a film I first want to be entertained from a pure spectator standpoint (i.e. a good story, acting, direction, artwork) but then I want to have taken something from a film. I have to ask “Was it good for me?”

I wish that the answer was yes all the time but the honest truth is for that every movie that I really like there are at least five that, although entertaining, did not teach me anything that will help me understand more of the Father. I know it is not always healthy to wade through the sewage to find the good water but I’ve never been bothered by it. I’m a film fanatic. It also puts me in a position to aid other Christians in making choices that will match their film tastes.

I know that there are always going to be people who do not see the same beauty as me in different films. And sometimes I wish they would but I can understand why they don’t. God’s Will for one man is not the same for the next one. And that’s totally cool!

Yet in all of this I am not making an excuse to watch morally wrong things in film. Swearing, nudity and other immoral material are still wrong in God’s eyes. If God tells you that a film will trip you up then follow His will. Don’t compromise His standards for you. The consequences are not worth it. I’ve had to be re-taught this a few times in my spiritual life. If you have a feeling about a film that is a bit hesitant then don’t let someone drag you to it. I have done my best recently to avoid crap films --- the ones that do nothing for me (as some of my friends can tell you). I know it’s out in the world and that doesn’t mean I need to see it everyday. But I do screw up and see something like The Cell, which just made me feel disgusted about film in general. Yet God is a God of forgiveness.

We do live in grace but I warn you not to abuse it. I totally understand why my friends sometimes worry about my film tastes and it is good to be loved by people who care about what I do with my life. I pray that you to have at least one person in your life that cares that way about you too. Remember to press into God always though. Whether you love film or hate it we serve the same Lord. Share what you know. If music is your preference then use it. If books are your preference use them. There are many ways to illustrate God’s message. Utilize them.

So in closing I leave you with something to think about: 1 John 5:4&5 - “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. And who is the one who overcomes, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

You can respond to Dan at: HAL9000@uniserve.com