Should a Christian watch scary movies/horror movies?

The Moral and Spiritual Problem with Horror Movies

Should a Christian watch scary movies? We're going to answer that question. You can also discover more on GotQuestions .org. Movies are a powerful medium, and they have a profound impact on culture. And the sad truth is that many movies these days are either completely antithetical to Christian values, or at the very least, are at odds with God's divine standard of holiness.

As for most horror movies, their entertainment value often lies in their ability to titillate our youthful desire to be scared witless. The gruesome means by which movie makers attempt to shock our consciences usually involves an abundance of carnage and bloodshed.

The problem is, however, that it takes more and more to shock seared consciences these days, which means we're more desensitized to hardcore gore and evil. All things considered, true Christians would likely find it difficult to enjoy the majority of today's horror movies.

Demonic Themes, Spiritual Warfare, and Christian Discernment

Let's consider the horror movies that delve into the supernatural realm with a particular focus on demonic activity. Scripture makes it clear that our earthly struggle is against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the realms.

Christians are keenly aware of the evil reality of demons and how every moment of their very real existence is spent trying to steal, kill, and destroy. As such, is this really just entertainment? As we mature in our Christian walk, sin and evil should both bother us more and more all the time.

We are to be beacons of light in an ever-darkening world, striving to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. Scripture tells us to be moral and pure, abhorring what is evil, and to have our minds focused on things which are noble and pure, lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

This should guide us daily in everything we do, including the movies we watch and choose to see. How can it be possible to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ when we are at a horror movie laden with murder and mayhem, and essentially being entertained by the very sins that Jesus died for?

When Horror Movies Might Serve a Christian Purpose

Now, notwithstanding the above, it should be noted that there are some Christian movie makers who actually produce horror movies. Realizing that evil is a very real part of our existence on earth, they feel it is not only possible, but responsible to make a horror movie that accurately depicts the reality of the dark forces of evil with which Christians constantly struggle.

Certainly, if such a movie could help the audience appreciate the depth of our worldly struggle between good and evil, then such a movie could indeed be congruent with a Christian paradigm. Better yet, how beneficial would it be if such a movie could even point to our need for a Savior?

Watching Movies in Light of Christ's Presence

In deciding what movies to watch, perhaps it would be wise to heed the words of the Apostle Paul, do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? As Christians, we of course know that the Spirit of Christ resides in our heart.

He is with us wherever we go. What if, when we went to the movies, for example, we saw Jesus Christ sitting beside us watching the movie that we took into? That answers the question, should a Christian watch scary movies?

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