Tonight our pastor preached a very powerful sermon on blasphemy. Webster's defines blasphemy as this:
1: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God; the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
The scripture he referenced was Ephesians chapter 5 with special emphasis on verse 4, which reads, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." He played a video which was incredibly thought provoking and I will add the link at the bottom of this post. But what struck home with me is how complacent and almost "immune" we've become to Hollywood, through films and television, using the Lord's name in vain. I'm guilty of watching movies (renting, cause we rarely, if ever, go to the movie theatre) that contain foul language and when I hear them use the Lord's name in vain, I might shutter and say "I hate that" but do I turn the movie off? No. And if I don't take a stand against things like this, am I a friend of the world or a foe? The Bible says in James 4:4 (paraphrasing)to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God.
I want you to watch the video clip on this web site and then leave me your thoughts. You can also add the link to your sidebar.
16 sweet friends had to say...:
Ouch!!!! This one hurt!! I think I've just been taking out to the woodshed by my Heavenly Father.
Thanks for posting this even though I'm still hurtin' a little!
~Cheryl
St. Louis
Great post and pure truth that needs to be said. It's like the story of the frog in the hot water. We let ourselves be lured into things gradually. We cannot walk with one foot in the world and one foot in the Lord.
Susan
Great post. I rarely go to movies but it is nearly impossible to find ones without profanity or something. I can't remember what movie it was but it was clear they used one foul word just so they could increase the rating. Other than that one word - it was a good family film. I don't know when the body of Christ will stand up and actually use their true authority. It doesn't take a protest, it doesn't take an holier-than-though stand. It takes self-discipline to just not spend $ on those films or their garb promoting the movies. I think it would be hard but it is almost worthless if the body doesn't unite. 100,000 people making a stand to make these changes is great but it takes ALL! This is one of those issues key to the WHOLE BODY functioning together. That is the ONLY answer! The arm can't make the stand alone, neither can the foot. We must come together or it is worthless! Can the body do it? It is possible through Christ but will the body do it?? We shall see.
Yep, I have to say ouch too. I was surprised at all the G & PG movies on that list of unacceptable movies. I wonder what is in those that they didn't make the grade.
We are definitely desensitized to this type of thing & it has happened gradually. I can think back to when I was younger, growing up & what wasn't acceptable then...is today. So many things in society that we just "overlook". The Lord must be so sad at how we Christians act sometimes. And yes, it will take all of us to make a difference. We don't go to all that many movies either, but don't always choose wisely.
Great thought-provoking post, Tracey!
Rhoda
What a great post! I so agree about the desensitization that is happening today, and you presented some wonderful food for thought today.
Andrea
I agree with Rhoda - we have become desensitized to so many things - things that weren't acceptable years ago are common-place now. We don't go to movies, but Dom watches a lot on TV. I can overlook some things (I guess I shouldn't), but movies where the F word is used every other word - I'll walk out of the room. I'll cringe if someone I know uses God's name in vain, but I overlook it in movies or TV - hypocritical I know. I'll have to work on that.
Ouch over here too. I'm normally pretty careful about what I watch on TV or Movies, or even the music I listen to,..but when I read the part about,.." but rather thanksgiving",..I fail so miserably in that area. I so often forget that our sole purpose is to worship our God, and find myself instead trying to fit that worship and thanksgiving in around everything else. A very powerful post, Tracey...Thank you!
Tracey
Great post! This is something I've been thinking alot about lately and actually have been working on a post about this very thing. I think I'll go now and finish it up so I can mention your great post and the video. We must do something about this issue.
Hugs!
KD
Hey
Forgot to ask. Did you get my e-mail? I'm still puzzled over what happened to the first one I sent??
Hugs!
Kat
Good for you, standing up for truth and clean language. I've just posted over on Kat's about this subject. Wonder if I can get that video clip on my blog? I'm going to look into it. When we stand up for what we believe, there's always at least one more person who grows. Thanks for sharing.
Great post Tracey!
In just the last year I've gotten to where I do take things like the language on a move (or how much sexual content) before I will watch it. Hubby and I don't watch most anything that is R rated.
And there are some tv shows that I know that I could really get sucked into but refuse to watch because of content.
Also, I tagged you.....please come and see and join the fun!
In HIM _
Mindy
Tracey, this is powerful. Why is it we who profess to be Christians need to be reminded of this? It is shame on us all. Thanks for the powerful reminder of what should be a 'no-brainer' for us all. Christians MUST be the example.
I agree wholeheartedly and must admit that this post made me go back and review the movies in my Netflix queue. None of them were rated 'R,' which I was glad to see (because I didn't even CHECK the ratings when I put them there), but still, Hollywood, in my opinion, is out of control. I am like Kat in that I watch VERY little TV...mostly only news shows or true story shows...because there just isn't anything on worth watching in my opinion. Curiously, I did have Borat rented from Netflix a week or so ago and had only gotten it because it was supposed to be funny. I went and looked at the rating today and wasn't surprised to see that it was rated 'R.' I had only watched half of it, if that, and took it out of my VCR to send back. There were parts I thought were inappropriate and I guess I just got tired of hearing and seeing it. I didn't really think about it being my conscience at the time, but I guess it might have been! Who knew?? I need to be aware of what I watch and what I take in, but my conviction is that I need to be equally aware of what comes out of my mouth as well!
Great post and so very true. I rarely go to the movies and watch very little TV other than the news and it is bad enough. I am amazed at how times have changed just in the last 10 years. Words that used to be forbidden on TV are now considered norm.
Thanks for sharing.
I was shocked from the web site to see the list of movies that contain blasphemy, and some are rated PG-13 (and some that I've rented) and when I saw the list, I honestly couldn't remember thinking they were bad!
It is true, we are desensitized!
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