
The Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter… All of your friends are talking about the latest movies and books. You don’t want to feel left out so you read the books and hit up the theater. You’re not sure if they’re the best things to read and watch… but everyone is doing! It must be okay, right?
As young Christian women, how do we evaluate whether certain books and movies are honoring to Christ?
What about popular movies like Harry Potter, Twilight and now The Hunger Games? Is there a way to determine if these books and movies are something we should devote our time to?
God cares a lot about the things that we watch and read. Why? Because the things we choose to put into our mind will affect and influence us – whether we like it or not. That’s why God says, “Happy are those who don’t listen to the wicked, who don’t go where sinners go, who don’t do what evil people do. They love the Lord’s teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night“ (Psalm 1:2 NCV). Do you love the teachings of Christ? Are you excited about reading the Bible and memorizing verses? If not, chances are your entertainment choices are off balance.
Let’s get practical here.
Here is a practical and easy way to determine whether or not a movie or book is a good, Christ honoring choice. Here is a list of questions you can use as a filter to sift your movie and book selections through. Before hitting up the theater, ask yourself these questions:
Is it true?
Is it noble?
Is it pure?
Is it right?
Is it lovely?
Is it admirable?
Is it excellent?
Is it praiseworthy?
This is a list taken from Phillipians 4:8. It’s a great way to determine if the latest fad is something we should participate in or avoid. A great resource to read movie reviews on is www.pluggedin.com. We highly recommend reading the reviews before you go see any movie. The Hunger Games is a huge fad right now. Does it pass the Phillipians 4:8 test? Go through each question and see if that movie is something God would want us to think on and watch.
You don’t have to give in!
Don’t give in to the latest fad just because it’s the popular thing to do. Stand strong and protect what is true and honorable. Is it worth going against God’s Word for a little entertainment? No way. We can do this girls! Let’s choose to follow God’s Word above the latest fad.
Photo Credit: Freedigitalphotos.net – Winnond