A response to my Magic Mike Facebook post

In my initial post I was not throwing stones, or placing judgment. I was however asking a question with hopes that those reading would stop and think. So often we are controlled by our emotions, what is popular or even our hormones that we don’t give obedience to God a second thought. (Or a first thought for that matter)

I will say that I was astounded by the responses coming to the defense of this movie, or our freedom in Christ to see this movie. I kept quiet most of the day while working on my paper, but each response had a very deep impact on me personally as I watched you all debate with one another. I do not apologize for my original comment because it was an explanation of the burden placed on my heart from the Lord. However, I will be removing it due to the misleading comments which followed, many advocating for the watching of the movie.

As for the comments which were directed at my character, I have no desire to defend those. If you consider me judgmental or prude, that is your decision.

It is also your decision whether you see this movie, or not. I cannot make the choice for you, nor would I if given the opportunity. This is the joy of free will. In addition, I did not call this sin. I referred to it as unholy, and I maintain my position on the matter.

This was not intended for anyone who does not profess to be a believer of Christ, to walk in accordance with His Truth or live by the Word of God. This comment was for believers who have committed their lives to holiness and for married women in particular who took vows of Holy Matrimony.

When a husband and wife take vows before God, and others they have entered into a Holy Covenant. Marriage is intended to make us holy, more like Christ each day. For some, the release of this movie (and the 50 Shades of Gray series) is an opportunity to practice self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. It is a chance to walk in the way of God and not in the ways of the world.

Our husbands (and future husbands for those who are single) deserve our respect. We cannot un-see any of the images on that screen, and the words from the pages will forever fill our minds. We are called, as believers, to fill our minds with things that are true, noble and God-honoring. (Philippians 4:8)

Many women are devastated by the effects pornography has on their marriages as their husbands peer at women on a computer screen for lust and pleasure. Pornography is destroying Christian marriages and women are left feeling insecure and unloved. The only difference here is the size of the screen and the fact that hundreds of other women are crowding in to see it alongside you. It is disrespectful to your husbands (current or future).

I must ask, why would anyone want to see a man other than their husband in this way? Is there not potential for it to damage the respect we are to show our husbands and leave him to wrestle with insecurities if he does not look like these gentlemen? Furthermore, one comment expressed that women leaving the theater were potentially going home to “jump their husbands”, which is so incredibly disrespectful. Your husband alone should be the object of your desire, not the object upon which you act out your sexual arousal. Psalm 101:3 provides an accurate picture of how we should approach such movies: “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.” (NLT)

So, what is the point? Why subject your mind to the images on a screen which are clearly unholy, all in the name of entertainment? Why do you want to see this? What makes watching this movie justifiable to so many? Have those who watched it (or plan on watching it) dismissed its ungodliness? Have they somehow convinced themselves that it is okay?

I will say that the blood of Christ covers our sin, and for those who live under grace, we are free from the burden of sin – yet we still sin. In the sixth chapter of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul writes, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” And what was his response? “Certainly not!”  Although we are not brought into salvation through our works, nor kept there because of them, our actions impact our relationship with God, and bring about earthly consequences.

I take this idea of holiness as a calling for all believers from 1 Peter chapter 1. Peter is writing to a group of believers who are experiencing extreme persecution.

Peter writes: “¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “ You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

¹⁷ If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13-19)

            There is no way to know what this persecution was like for them, but we do know people were being executed just for being a Christian. Such is not the case today. If we take a stand against seeing a movie, or reading a set of books for the sake of holiness, it is very unlikely we will die. We may lose friends, or be less popular but the truth is – not one of those people asking me to participate in these things shed their blood for me. They didn’t give up their son so that I might be free. Only God did that, and what he is asking of me, and of all those who claim His name is to “Be Holy”.

As far as marriage is concerned, it is a holy institution, for those who are in Christ. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled for fornicator and adulterers God will judge.” The Greek word used here for undefiled is ἀμίαντος (amiantos), meaning unpolluted, unstained, unsoiled, undefiled by sin, chaste, and of the worship of God. This word is used 3 times in the New Testament, all to describe the behavior of the Believer.

Once these images have become ingrained in our minds we have no control over when they will resurface. We cannot be sure that in the midst of worship in church or with our spouse that they will not come to mind, defiling the experience.

The truth is, the Enemy seeks to devour (1 Peter 5:7) those who follow Christ, and he doesn’t need any more help.