What a Month Without Movies Taught Me

It's easy for me to get wrapped up in movies. I'm that person that could pretty much love any movie the first time. I get caught up in the emotions and characters. I love dramatic scenes and amazing endings. Once I start a series, I want to see the whole thing. I tend to overlook flaws in logic (because I really don't mind them in most shows) and minor bad content.

So while making my new years resolutions I decided that for one month, I would put aside all movies (including YouTube). I've done this multiple times before over the years, and I've always enjoyed it. Since I only average about two movies per week when I'm really into them, I didn't think it would be that bad. I didn't even think about evaluating my movie choice while I was away from them.

Let me tell you, when you completely step away from something, you start seeing it in a different light.

On January 7'th I was home alone and reading through Philippians. I stumbled on Philippians 4:8 again.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. -NLT-

Now I've read this verse a lot in my life. So I decided to play a little game with it that my mom taught me. I would see if the movies I loved could stand up to the test. I tried Star Trek first because I've watched hand picked episodes. It stood up to the honorable test. ... yup. that was about it. 

Then I got to thinking, you know, Star Trek is about the most worldly show I watch, so I decided to try something more neutral: Bionic Woman, the old 70's TV show. Its a pretty light, fun show with no objectionable content in the first season.  So... it stood up to pure and honorable. But when I thought about it there was nothing really good in that show ether. 

So tried one last one The Encounter. Its a Christian movie that has really blessed me. It past every single test. But I got cought up on the worthy of praise thing. What is worthy of praise, exactly? I decided to look it up in my concordance. 

Out of all the mentions of praise in the Bible, only a handful of them have to do with anything other then God. 

So it would stand to reason that since God is pretty much the only thing mentioned as worthy of praise that only movies that bring us closer to God are worthy of praise.

So all month long I've been thinking about that. I'll be honest, I don't like the idea of giving up all my non Christian movies. But here are some things I've realized now that I'm almost done.

1. I used my free time better. I got a lot more reading done this month, and I really got to thinking about how often I waste my time on movies and YouTube when I have work to do.

2. Most of the movies I am excited to get back to are Christian ones. Somehow a lot of the movies I was really itching for at the beginning of the month seem shallow.

3. It's been easier to push away fear. I've always had a bit of trouble with the unknowns of walking in the dark by myself. But without movies (good or bad) ringing in my ears, telling me what might be hiding out there, it's been easier to reason with myself how ridiculous I'm being.

4. Its hard to let go. In reading Philippians 4:8 I realize there are no exceptions. Period. God call's us to an incredibly high standard so that our life's will be a better quality. But letting go of the things I've loved and still love is hard.

I'm not promising that from now on I will never watch another show that isn't Christian. I have had some secular movies that have blessed be immensely. But what I am going to try to do is think before I sit down to watch something. God gave me the gift of free choice, and I want to use it wisely.

So what are your thoughts on this, do you agree, or disagree? I'd love to talk with you in the comment section below.