Are you struggling with what you read or watch, and you are thinking, “Is it a sin to read inappropriate things or watch inappropriate movies?”
This is what I will be discussing in this blog post. Let us get into it right away.
Is It a Sin to Read Inappropriate Things?
It’s a sin to read inappropriate things. Just as the word sounds, it is “inappropriate” for Christians to read “inappropriate” things.
This is an identity thing. Your identity has changed the moment you accepted the love of Jesus into your life.
You became a royal priesthood, a chosen generation. You cannot live the way you lived before.
The Spirit of God will start working in you for God’s will.
Now, I understand if this is a struggle. I want you to understand that even if it is a struggle, the Holy Spirit present in you bestows upon you power over sin.
Is It a Sin to Watch Inappropriate Movies?
I will repeat what I wrote earlier in the subheading above.
It is a sin to watch inappropriate movies. Just as the word sounds, it is “inappropriate” for Christians to watch “inappropriate” movies.
The qualification for the word inappropriate is broad. It can mean a lot of things.
But you will definitely know when you are watching something inappropriate.
What Does the Bible Say About Watching Bad Things?
The Bible might not exactly say these and these are what you should not watch and these are things you should watch.
But we can glean wisdom from the word of God. So, let us go see what the word of God says:
Proverbs 4:23. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Psalms 119:37. “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou in my way.”
Why You Should Be Careful About What You Watch?
You must be wondering why there is so much hassle about Christians watching what they consume.
Here are the reasons why you should be careful about what you watch as a Christian:
1. You need to guard your heart with all diligence
Your heart is very important. And guarding the gateways of the mind is one of the ways you can guard your heart.
The gateways of the mind are simply what you see, what you hear, what you say, etc.
What you watch actually has power over your mind, and you can become what you watch.
2. What you watch can fuel your sinful desires
The sincere truth is that if you watch movies with adult scenes, your desires can be fueled whether you notice it or not.
It is not advisable to give a chance at all. If someone is trying to stain your clothes, one thing you will do is stay away from them by all means.
So, staying away from anything that can make you be tempted to sin is a way of keeping and consecrating yourself.
Why You Should Be Careful About What You Read?
You must be wondering why there is so much hassle about Christians watching what they consume.
What you read is equally powerful as what you read, you access both with your eyes, and the mind is involved.
So, you need to be careful with what you watch.
Will God Forgive Me for Watching Bad Things?
If you have indulged in watching or reading things you should not ask God for forgiveness and receive His forgiveness.
God’s mercy is with you because of the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of cavalry for your sake. Yes, God will forgive.
God loves you, He just hates sin. But never doubt His love towards you.
Nothing else proves how much He loves than how He sent Jesus Christ to die for you.
What If You Were Already Reading Inappropriate Things or Watching Inappropriate Movies? How to Stop?
I understand if you might have been indulging in reading or watching anything as you deemed fit before you found the love of Jesus.
But now, that your identity has changed; you need to walk in the light of your new identity.
Now, let us talk about how to stop if you have already been watching or reading inappropriate things:
1. Know that you can stop
The Bible says that. “reckon yourself to be dead indeed to sin.”
Let me give a back story. By the reason of our faith in Jesus, we have been made dead to sin. This is a done deal.
But you also have to think like it, to walk in it. So, first, know and be sure that the Holy Spirit residing in you has made you dead to sin.
2. Walk in the Spirit
The Bible says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.”
The best way to explain this is by using the analogy of light and darkness. If your room is dark right now, and you switch on the light, the darkness vanishes.
So, walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the desires of the flesh cannot cohabitate just like light and darkness.
Walk in the Spirit by communing with God every day, pray, study the word of God, and share the gospel of Christ with people.
3. Be accountable to someone
Find someone in your local church that you can tell about this, and tell them to keep you accountable.
This person will check upon you from time to time to know how you are faring in your walk with God, and how things are faring with not going back to what God has saved you from.
4. Be disciplined
Yes, there will be temptations to lure you back into what you have repented from.
Trust God, and also resolve in your mind that you are not going back to it.
A Great Alternative for Christians
If you love to read novels you might like to try “beautiful surrender” by Itunu Taiwo.
And if you are a lover of movies, you might want to watch lots of Christian movies on pureflix.
Before You Go
I hope you find the answer to your question, “Is reading or watching inappropriate things a sin?”
You can send in your comments, I will be glad to receive them. God bless you.
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