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At the start of the weekend it seems appropriate to broach the subject of movies. Our Plugged In team receives thousands of emails each year, asking a variety of entertainment-related questions. I’d like to share one which we received recently:pluggedinlogo.jpg

In your movie ratings you include a section labeled “profanity.”  I have a particular problem when the Name of Jesus is used as a cuss word….My question is this: Is it a sin to watch a movie where Jesus Name is used this way? Or is it proper to keep in mind that evil characters are just being true to their character? It’s easy to justify because I’m not using His Name in that manner, yet at the same time I wonder if I am dishonoring Him by continuing to watch a movie that does so.

Here’s how Bob Waliszewski, the director of our Plugged In ministry here at Focus, responded.

He wrote:

Great question! For me, hearing Jesus’ Name abused as a profanity is like fingernails down a chalkboard! But does that mean that if I willingly go to a movie with full knowledge the dialogue utilizes a misuse of our Savior’s Name that I’m sinning? pluggedinparentingV2.jpg

 

I know without a shadow of a doubt that speaking Jesus’ Name as if it were a profanity is wrong. But the person who sent this email recognizes that as well. Her point is, “Hey, it’s not me using it. I’m just watching it. Is it sinful?”

 

I’ll be honest, I struggle over whether or not it’s a sin to watch a movie that abuses our Savior’s Name in this fashion. However, applying the WWJD? principle to the question (something I highly promote when I speak publicly on media discernment), it seems likely that if Jesus were walking the planet physically today with his 12 disciples, and if Peter or John asked the question, He would advise against it.

 

Now that may seem a bit wishy-washy to those who want a definite yes or no. I wish I could find the answer in the Bible--you know II Hezekiah 3:16, the one that reads, “Thou shalt not watch a movie or listen to a song or play a video game that misuses my Name as if it were a swear word.” But it’s simply not there.

 

Still God hasn’t been silent on the issue. Let me remind you that when the Creator of the Universe narrowed down all life’s rules to a list of 10, He etched on a stone tablet (twice), “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” [Exodus 20:7)

 

I find it incredibly frustrating, even sickening, that Hollywood’s writers and actors seem to care so little about this third Commandment. But equally troubling is that many Christians today ignore—or have forgotten—how important God’s Name is!

 

Is it a big deal? Now, that’s a question I can comfortably answer. I’ve already mentioned the 10 Commandments. Now, let’s go back in time to Moses day and imagine asking this Jewish leader whether or not it really matters. Let’s assume we catch up with Moses shortly after he returns from his 40 day stay on Mount Sinai. It’s hard to imagine Moses responding to our inquiry with: “Well, misuses of God’s Name are rampant these days so just get used to hearing ‘em. With regards to the 10 Commandments, I think Yahweh was pretty serious about nine of them. But this one about His Name, not so much.”

 

Bob concluded:birdbook.jpg

 

I’m currently reading a book about a woman from England who explored much of Colorado by herself on horseback in 1873. Referencing one particular Colorado frontier town and about America in general during that time, Isabella Bird remarks, “Americans are given over to the most atrocious swearing, and the blasphemous use of our Savior’s name is peculiarly revolting.” [A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains, Isabella Bird, pg. 188]

 

More than one hundred years later, I agree completely with Ms. Bird: the blasphemous use of our Savior’s name is peculiarly revolting. As such, when it comes to film, I believe simply saying no (or watching on a ClearPlay machine that edits out objectionable content) seems to be the most Christ-honoring approach overall.

 

**

 

Thanks for your thoughtful and God honoring perspective, Bob. How we choose to spend our time and what we choose to invest our precious time in is a reflection of how we view the creator of the universe. And though it’s true the Bible is silent on the specifics of movie choices, it’s helpful to know that the Lord’s Word is clear on just how important it is to honor and respect His name.

I welcome your thoughts.

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Comments (10)
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Jan 20, 2012 9:29 PM Guest Tammie  says:
You are so right as much as I knew this already its the confirmation that I needed to insure these views will not be in my movies.
Jan 22, 2012 11:35 AM Guest Marie  says:
What a misleading approach to this issue.  I often cringe when I hear Christians deeming something a "sin."  We were born into sin and continue in sin until we realise that Christ's gift of salvation frees us from eternal damnation.  While the Ten Commandments are relevant in the sense that many of these principles are reiterated in New Testament teachings, it is SO important to realise that the penalty for disobedience is no longer death as in the times of Moses- Christ paid the penalty.  So to single out particualr laws the Jews were commanded to live by, even the Ten Commandments, as appropriate for guidance in a time of Grace is erroneous.  If this were the case, well, I hope you didn't have bacon for breakfast this morning or talk back to your parents recently.  I think it's important as Christians to understand this difference because many become tempted to appoint themselves as judges of other Christians.  One particular instance comes to mind where an individual at church proceded to take the movie watching debate to a whole new level and declare that simply owning a TV was a "sin."  Legalism is a slippery slope and has no place in God's grace.  Our behavior should be constrained (if needed) by personal convictions based on a personal relationship with Christ. Simply trying to avoid something because we fear it may be a "sin" is really a sad way to live. We should live a life honoring to Christ, pleasing to him and one that reveals His love to others.
Jan 22, 2012 5:06 PM Guest Kay  says:

Years ago my Grandma & our family was watching a movie & it had a cuss word in it & I remember Grandma quietly slipping into the kitchen & staying in there til the movie ended, but that made such an impact on me many years later. My favorite movie was Fried Green Tomatoes & in that movie the star of it says God's name in vain - God convicted me of watching that movie & I threw it away.
Jan 23, 2012 8:20 PM Guest nixphoeni  says in response to Marie:

But even when we accept that gift, we continue to sin. None of us are perfect - even Paul didn't always do the right thing when all he wanted to do was the right thing (see Romans). I don't think Bob is recommending or legislating "simply trying to avoid something" for fear of sinning; I think he's advocating that we take seriously God's name as he has literally told us to do. I would argue that the penalty for the Christian who is disobedient to God's word is a separation from the God he or she loves, and that some of the Old Testament laws are appropriate for guidance especially when they do not apply to salvation alone but to God's being and character.


Don't get me wrong: the man who relies on Christ's work for their salvation doesn't suffer eternal separation from God, no matter how many sins he commits. But we certainly don't get any closer to God when we disobey Him.
Jan 24, 2012 8:09 PM Guest Mrs. B  says in response to nixphoeni:
Thank you, Jim...and Bob.  I am saddened at Marie's response in that it displays a woeful lack of regard for the commands of God.  Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commands."  The Ten are given to us not only to show us our sin and how we can never perfectly please a Holy God, but also to lead us to Christ...and then to show us how we OUGHT to live, however imperfectly in this life, by His grace and with the help of the Holy Spirit. To disregard them as part of the "slippery slope" of legalism is to misunderstand the use of the Law that Christ gave us.  It is difficult to imagine the variety of "personal convictions" that Christians might choose to constrain their behavior that are not based on the Word of God.  Do we think when we get to heaven anyone will be using His Name in vain?  That we might give righteousness a small beginning in this life, let us honor His commands, with Grace, not judgementalism.
Jan 24, 2012 10:21 PM Guest Penniah  says in response to Marie:
If that is the case then why did God Himself say pure religion is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27)?  I think you have bought into the lie that we are not to judge.  We are to judge righteous judgment which judges everything by God's word.  It's not legalism to want to be holy as God is holy; it is not legalism to want to think on the things God says we ought.  It is merely wanting to please God.
Jan 27, 2012 6:30 AM Guest Karen  says:
I wholeheartedly agree with Bob's take on watching movies that abuse God's name. I heard a preacher say during a Sunday sermon that we will sit in church in the morning and praise God's name and then we'll go to the movies in the afternoon and watch a movie that blasphemes His name. We need to respect the name of God both inside and outside the church!
Jan 27, 2012 7:41 PM Guest Dave  says:
Is ClearPlay a sufficient doge?  To watch a movie, whether by theater or rental, we have paid for that content.  Are we then guiltless for not having heard what we supported?  Isn't part of PluggedIn's thing that we get more of the kind of movies we pay for?
Feb 1, 2012 12:17 PM Guest Doug  says in response to Marie:

Marie, the question I would have as one who has been redeemed by the death of Christ, want to sit and listen to the name of my Saviour or my God being used in vain?  This has nothing to do with Legalism and everything to do with holiness which we have been called too.

 

I remember reading these words, can't remember the author:  "The primary purspose of the cross is not simply to have us go to heaven, but to get us out of the sin business."
Feb 1, 2012 11:27 PM Guest Kathy  says:
I believe that a simple question to ask when deciding what is acceptable or not to watch is,  If God calls this abominable, detestable or sinful in His sight,  should I (we,you) be fine with calling it "harmless entertainment" ?   Sadly, I have heard a number of people I know argue (in so many words) that  "I am not doing the detestable thing myself, just laughing at it so it's not wrong...."    The fundamental question before us all is,  Just how seriously do I want to take God anyway?  It is not legalistic to want to honor God in our choices of so-called "entertainment".

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