As I was watching a TV talk show this past week, I heard them going on and on about a movie that was going to be produced in the coming year. It was going to be a screen adaptation the book, Fifty Shades of Grey. Wow, a movie that has all these people so enamored was due a little investigation as to why they were so excited. So, I got out my handy iPad and found out was this book was all about:
First, it was a New York Times, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble best seller.Second, it was a romance novel.
Third, it was fan fiction based on the Twilight series
Fourth, lots of "moms" we're reading it
Fifth, it is considered pornographic.
It was that last statement that got my mental gears going. Is that just a preacher's opinion, or is that what the news media and society is saying? Are mommies really reading this? What could possibly be so scintillating that is on so many ladies' summer reading list?
After a few quick clicks, I found out that is about a newly graduated, young, virginal college student who submits herself to the BDSM desires of a multi-billionaire. Well, enough what I found here's how the papers describe it:
Mr Grey, a 27-year-old billionaire, seduces young graduate, Anastasia Steele. He has a penchant for bondage and soon envelops her in a world of kinky sex, S&M and XXX-rated bedroom 'contract' games that make for solid post-watershed reading only (Daily Mail, UK edition)Obviously, even by a worldly standard, not for the faint of heart.
As Christians (that means we are "little Christs"), we are called to move from conforming to what's popular to being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Yet, I have overheard believers in Jesus talking about reading this book. While I don't believe modern, steamy romance novels have a place in a Christian's library, Fifty Shades of Grey certainly has no place in our libraries, Kindles, or minds. This is nothing but mental pornography targeted at women who are bored with their current relationships. They are simply titillating their imaginations with pornographic, explicit images that should have no place in their minds.
It is my belief that many of the newest steamy romance novels are nothing more than women's pornography. These novels approach the woman's imagination in the same way a pornographic magazine tantalizes a man's eyes. Both are equally wrong. But, is it really wrong to have a little dreamy fantasy life about other men or women? You know, to spice up your marriage? Well, I have an opinion, but I don't think I care about my opinion, so I'd like to hear what Jesus has to say:
You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.' But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt. (Matthew 5:27-28, MSG)Jesus is explaining to us that mental adultery = adultery. Now, realize this, Jesus wasn't trying to ruin our fun, He is actually making life worth enjoyable. He understood what it is that frees us and what it is that puts us in bondage: it is what our minds and our hearts think about. King David's sin of adultery began much sooner than the first time he crawled under the covers with Uriah's wife (See 2 Samuel 11 for the whole story). It is no different for us, and Jesus knows that. Our hearts must be protected because out of it flows the source of life (Proverbs 4:23). It is truly a battle for our hearts and minds and believers in Christ should not participate or even speak about the deeds of darkness done in secret. Here's a verse that can really help you make decisions as to what you should watch, read, or speak about:
Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12, HCSB)If we shouldn't mention these acts, surely we shouldn't read or watch or listen to such things. Don't you think?
So, how do we judge what to put into our minds? As followers of Christ, is there are way we can determine what we should be feeding on mentally in order to remain pure? It's actually quite simple. The world that we live in has changed little from the first century. Mankind has always degenerated to the lowest common denominator. So, the Spirit of God gave us this litmus test:
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8, HCSB)So, how do you test on this exam? Are you making an "A"? Or is it something far less? It is time we all examine our lives and see where we can change what we are placing into our heart, our minds, and our very lives. Christ-followers, let's be the men and women we know we can be in Jesus. Let's let His purity reign. Put down Fifty Shades of Grey as well as other morally reprehensible reading material, and pick up the pure white character of Christ found in His Word, the Bible.
Come on Christians, we're better than this.
Pastor Trey Rhodes
www.MyOceansideChurch.com
MyOceansideChurch.podbean.com
OCAnnounce.info.com
One of my co-workers said her book club decided to read the book. She said it was terrible but she had to read the other two books to see what happened! If I were in a book club that decided to do a book like this, I'd find myself another book club. I'm appalled that a movie is being made.
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen. Thank you, Codie for your strong stand in our dark world.
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