Purity

Purity

30th July 2009 by Roscoe Holland

I was on holidays last week (and it was good) and watching a DVD that I owned when my seven year old daughter walked in and asked if she could watch it with me. My first thought was, "yeah, let's do something together". Then my mind raced quickly through the scenes and my actual response was, "no sweetie, this movie is not suitable for you."

It was that phrase, "this movie is not suitable for you" hit me like a sledge hammer. You see, the movie I was watching was Van Helsing. Now, some of you might also think this is a cool movie, or might think movies of this genre are pretty entertaining. That's what they're designed for - or so Hollywood believes. But you see, I was convicted right there and then by my conscience - or was it the Holy Spirit?

Why is this movie - full of vampires and curses and cultict practices - okay for me and not my daughter?

Well, some of you might say, "because she's seven, she can't filter what is real and what is fictional", and you'd be correct. Others of you might say, "that sort of violence is not good for a kid to watch". Again I agree. But I thought of an old song (as you do when you start to get into your middle age like I am). The song says:

Oh be careful little eyes what you see... for the Father up above is looking down in love... so be careful little eyes what you see.

Yes, that is a corny, simplistic song, but I also started thinking about scriptures that I have been trying to make myself memorize. Scriptures like:

"Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody". Romans 12:17

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is". Ephesians 5:15-17

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." Romans 14:19,21

I felt that God was saying to me that although I find some entertainment in this and other movies of it's kind, there are other people in my family and in my church who could really struggle with this. I mean, this movie is portraying death, evil, violence, cultic practice - and I've watched it. I could also hear my grandmother telling me off as a teenager - "Garbage in; garbage out." And I know she's right.

Is my mind and soul remaining pure by the things I am filling it with?

If we were all honest, a lot of us really got excited about the Harry Potter novels, and now the Twilight series. We've all watched episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. And we've probably seen other movies like the Underworld trilogy, Gabriel and Blade (not sure how the ratings went on those ones).

And I ask myself again right now - is it right for me, a follower of Jesus, who wants to live a pure life, to fill my mind and memories full of these images and expose others I care about to them?

I also remember a man we call our co-founder [William Booth] and something he wrote about keeping pure and following Jesus. He said; "You did not receive the gift of purity by feelings or by knowledge or by works; no, nor by desire nor by prayer. You believed and you were saved. To keep your heart clean you must resist temptation. And you will have temptation, it will come from different sources, but especially from the devil. He will try to draw you aside to old habits. You must pray. You must read and study your Bible. Watch as well as pray, be ever on your guard. The devil prowls like a lion, wanting to devour it's prey. And keep on fighting for souls." From the Generals letter "How to Keep Pure" 1902

Again I go back to scripture:

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is you life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And above over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish [caution] one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:1-17

Whoops- that was a long scripture verse, but it makes so much sense to me when read in context and completely. For me, I don't know if i can watch Van Helsing or Gabriel ever again and do it for God's honour instead of pure entertainment value. I don't know if I can read Harry Potter or Twilight and sing songs of thanks to God.

You might be able to, but please - don't do it and confuse someone who is new to their faith and relationship in God and make them fall.

Use Godly wisdom and discretion, please.

Ciao for now... Roscoe

Post Script:

I also am reminded that Jesus himself showed amazing grace to the woman caught in adultary and also the man who was born lame; he said to them both - "Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more". He was saying change the way you used to live and live a pure life now.

Comments

Amy

July 31, 2009 at 9:10pm

wow this is fantastic. what you've said has totally made me think, and im sure will make others think as well! purity goes well beyond just the physical - but also the mind and Spirit too and what you've said is crucial for purity in all these areas! xo

Reply
Roscoe Holland

August 04, 2009 at 12:46pm

It's funny how sometimes you just accept something until the Holy Spirit pricks our conscience and we ponder...

Keep asking the questions and listening to God for direction :)

Reply