Yes, Christians Can See "Sinners"! But Should They?

In this episode, Kevin discusses the controversial movie 'Sinners' from a Christian perspective, exploring whether Christians should engage with such content. 

Transcript

Kevin (00:05.08)
What's up family? This is Kevin here. It's been a while since I've done an episode. I'm back. Got a couple of things in the works, but this episode is one of the ones that kind of came out of nowhere and you probably can see by the marking of it. This is about the movie centers. Now I've never done a show like this. As a matter of fact, it was always my kind of belief to always kind of just stick to doctrine, stick to teaching. And I really don't ever talk specifically on the episode. I've never done an episode rather about

current events, the things that they always feel like there's a, there's so many shows that do those kinds of things that I didn't just want to be show number 1,529 of the same shows that cover the same topics and things like that. So I kinda want to be different, but this movie centers, it just, I saw a lot of stuff online about it. It reads a lot of questions just in general, and I just, and I just feel led to kind of just talk about it. So

The title episode, of course, as you probably see in the market and everything else, it says that, and this is the truth. Yes, Christian, you can see centers, but should you see centers? Now I'm going to give you my answer at the end of episode. So makes you stay tuned and give you my thoughts on about, just want to give just a brief little, again, just an overview of like what we should be thinking about when it comes to this movie and other movies of the same kind of caliber.

What is what what should be our approach? Because a lot of times we feel like as Christians that you know, we have this freedom and we can do what we want and you know what? I'm strong in the faith mean God. We good. I'm cool with the Lord. I prayed about it. I fasted and I don't feel a sense of conviction. I feel a sense of peace about this thing. Whether it's a movie or it's a show, whether it's whatever it is. And sometimes we don't always do things the right way just because we feel like

God is okay with it. And you and I should know as Christians as we grow on this wall, either for the better or for the worse, we can't go by our feelings because there are going to be times and there have been times, I'm sure, depending on how old you are, you've done things that felt right to you and you didn't feel convicted, but then you realize later on, that was a horrible decision. And then conversely, there were times when you really didn't feel like doing something you felt.

Kevin (02:29.902)
Like, I don't know if I can, I don't know if I should, but there was something in you that persevered and pushed you to do it. You did it. And after the fact, you were like, ooh, I'm so glad I did it. So we have to get out of the idea of feeling sometimes. And then also, and again, we're going to talk about a little bit more in the episode. It's the idea of trying to conform that we as Christians, the Bible says we're peculiar people. That word peculiar means that we're called

to be specifically for Christ. So we are different. So what the world does, what the world is allowed, what the world says is okay, does not mean it's okay for us. Point blank, we can't do what everything they do. I hate to quote the song because it's all over the place, but whatever I'm doing, I'm doing a show on current events. And I don't really care for the song that much, but when it comes to us,

First of the world, they not like us. We're Christians. So that means that they are not like us in the sense of they don't think the way we think. They don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't have a standard that's set above what we think. So we can't just do what they do because they're not like us. Hopefully they will be like us and receive Christ and become part of the kingdom. But until then, what they think, what they say, what the world abides by, we don't abide by.

So again, I just want to give a couple of scriptures and some thoughts on general about this movie. And it's a controversial movie. mean, just the title of alone centers, they're right there should be like, okay, hmm, should I see this or at least at the very least do some research, you know, don't get caught up in the fact that it's who's in it. And I'm going to say this too, not just because of the actor or the actresses.

Let me go there for my brothers and sisters in melanin. Don't just say I'm a seed just because black folks in it, because can we be real? Just because they're black don't mean they're Christian. Just because they're black, again, using that same over you song right now, that don't mean they're like us. So don't get caught up when we make any decisions about movies and shows and entertainment in general, things you and I embark in again.

Kevin (04:50.924)
Make sure you have some discriminating taste and look at it through the lens of scripture and obviously through the Holy Spirit and through prayer. So the first thing I want to talk about when it comes to the movie itself, and I'm going to dig into some specifics as we go, that whether you should see it or not, one problem is because we think, again, we think because we're Christians and yes, like I said in the title, you can see it. There's not a scripture that says don't see a movie.

If we want to make it contemporary, there's not a scripture that says don't hear this song or don't attend this event. Now we do have scripture to talk about that in this and I'm to go there. But as Christians, we are free. There is liberty to being a Christian. We are free. We're free from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and soon we'll be creeping the presence of sin. So excuse me. These are all things that we are free. We are free in Christ.

The one who God says free is free indeed. Those scriptures we like to use all the time. So we like to think that because I'm Christian and the Lord has saved me, I'm free. I can do what I want. Now, of course there are standards, but even then you might say to yourself, well, Kevin, I'm a Christian. I know the Lord. I've been saved for X amount of years. A movie's not going to change my mind about Jesus. So if I go see this movie,

It's strictly for entertainment and you know what? could sit in this movie theater for an hour and a half two and a half hours with however long it is my popcorn enjoy the entertainment enjoy the artistry the Cinematography and the story and all this stuff so I can enjoy that because I'm free to do it that don't mean I'm compromising My faith that doesn't mean I'm I'm selling in I'm gonna leave Jesus because I see the movie centers now, of course, that's a very extravagant

step to go. It's a big reach, but you may have that, that opinion. But let me give you this thought. Just because it's free to do, doesn't mean it doesn't cost something. Let me say it again. Just because it's free for you to do it doesn't mean it doesn't cost something. Now, what does it cost? You got to ask yourself the question and we're to go to a little bit deeper. Just because something is free for you to do.

Kevin (07:14.264)
We talked about early in just a few seconds ago in our introduction. Did you ever think that maybe it's costing you some time with the Lord? Maybe it's costing you some fellowship with other believers. Maybe it's costing you because someone can see you and have you in a specific mindset or frame of mind and you're going to see this movie and they're thinking, wait a minute, but you're minister Joe, you're minister.

Kevin, why are you going to see this movie? And you got to ask yourself the question. It just because you're allowed to do it, doesn't mean it's good for you. Think about it again. We're going to go deeper into it as we go through the episode, but just because it's something you're free to do, doesn't mean it's good. Example of this, you're free to drive a car and speed. You're free to do it, but it's not justifiable. You shouldn't speed. You're free.

to wear whatever you want outside, but it's not really good for you to dress a certain way because not only are you not covering yourself, but you're not presenting yourself in the best of light. Let me give you a scripture to start off. Very famous one, 1 Corinthians chapter three, verse 23. And it says, you say I'm allowed to do anything, but not everything is good for you. You say I'm allowed to do anything, but not everything is beneficial.

Don't be concerned of your own good, but for the good of others. So you see that? So it means, yes, I can see this movie and it doesn't, you may think it doesn't affect me, but how would it look to see someone you know that you were singing praises to the Lord in one, in one on Sunday, but then they see you going to see a movie called Sinners. Now let's dig into the movie a little bit. The little bit of research that I've done.

is first of all, the movie is about vampires. It's a horror kind of movie. Now you might say, well, Kevin, it's not, you know, if you've seen it, you know, it's not like, you know, a bunch of killing and all this stuff is not a horror movie per se, it's more vampires and it has some spiritual elements in it. Right? So you may have that perspective. It just has some spiritual elements to it. And that's, it's not that big of a deal. But then ask yourself the question, are you

Kevin (09:41.177)
conscious of that everything you see you can't unsee. Think about you have things that you see you've seen no matter how old you are you saw them 15, 20, 30 years ago and you remember them like yesterday. My point is there are images and things that are cemented and tattooed on our minds that are not present, pleasant. You have memories of bad things that have happened to you that you just can't forget. Why? Because once you see it, you can't unsee.

So now I ask myself the question, this movie, if I watch it with these images and these things in it, is this something I want to have tattooed on my mind when I'm trying to live for Christ? And let's go there as well. I saw an interview with a particular person, one of the actresses in the movie. She said in preparation for the movie, she consulted with Hulu priestesses.

to help her to prepare for the road. And she was talking in glowing terms about the hoodle religion. Now, so do you think going to a movie with a person who admits that's what they did. So that must mean that's what's in the movie. Now, again, you are free to see it, but does that mean that's an advantageous for you?

as a Christian, should we be intermingling and putting in our spirit these type of images and this type of belief system? Even if it is, I'ma go there, even if it is a predominantly black cast, even if it is a black director, are you more, have more of an alliance and allegiance to people who share your skin color than to Christ? Are you more concerned about engaging and ingratiating yourself to a group of people

more so than growing in Christ. So again, just because you have freedom doesn't mean it's beneficial. The question is, is this movie going to make you grow closer to God? When you watch this movie, is this going to prompt you to go home and read your Bible? It's going to prompt you to maybe go home and evangelize. It's going to prompt you to maybe say, you know what, I got to do a better job of growing in my faith. It's not. Now, you can make that claim.

Kevin (12:02.936)
For a lot of stuff that's entertainment, that a lot of stuff we do, we claim we do it just for entertainment purposes. This is nothing wrong with entertainment from time to time. But ask yourself the question, what kind of entertainment is it? Just because I'm allowed to watch it doesn't mean I should. Just because I'm allowed to go see this and there's no law, quote unquote, against it, should you see it? And the word we use a lot of times in Christian circles is discernment.

People always say, gotta have discernment. that's part of it. You gotta have discernment. But discernment is also a very close relative to wisdom. So just the title alone, if you saw the title, Sinners, right? And then you say, okay, well, let me do a little bit of research. What does the wisdom that hopefully you've acquired in your walk with Christ tell you about the film? Even if you didn't do research.

just by the trailer. If you just saw the trailer and you saw the centers, it's the title, and you saw the darkness of it, you saw how it looked just like a horror movie, which is what it is. Was there nothing that says, I don't know if I should watch that. Yes, I can go get a ticket, but should I watch it? Is this something I want to be in my spirit? Is this something I want to to engage in? And again,

We try to make it seem as if I can just handle it. I'm free and I'm good and I'm strong. And you know what? It's just a movie. It's just make believe. With no movie, it's just make believe. Let me tell you why I say that. Some of the stories may be fiction. That's true. But when you look at the amount of effort and time and money, movies, entertainment in general,

is a very intentional business. It is not just intentional just from the perspective of trying to get money, but intentional from the perspective of trying to convey a message. And again, this is where the wisdom comes in at. Whether it's sinners or whether it's any kind of show or movie or song, the wisdom that hopefully you've acquired should say to you, should I let this be in my spirit? Should I let my eye gate bring this in?

Kevin (14:30.19)
Should I let this song come into my ears? Should I read this material? And we all claim to be Christians. And if we have the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit's job is to convict us. So there are times when you don't have to even go that deep. The Holy Spirit will say, that's not for you. Now that's the key. And again, we're going to go deeper in terms of personal things. But

There should be something between the wisdom and discernment, which the Holy spirit gives us just to say, you know what? I don't know that something I should be watching. I don't know if this is a movie and that happens to me. A lot of times I see stuff on TV, on internet, on Instagram, TikTok, and I'll see something at two seconds in I'm swiping. Two seconds on swipe, which is a great segue to the second thing I to bring up about.

whether you should see sinners or not. Because as a Christian, hopefully as you grow in your walk, one thing you should learn is this. As you grow, you realize that things that used to be okay are no longer okay. Meaning, and this is the part I wanted to talk about. You might say, again, I mentioned earlier, I'm good in my walk, I'm strong in my faith.

And you know what? I can handle it. You know what? I know this is just a movie and I know this is just some crazy stuff on the screen. It's not going to make me turn from God. So my faith is secure. But this is the thing. Just because again, you can do it doesn't mean you should. Why? Because why do we want to be around things that are not of God? As a Christian, shouldn't you want to be around the things that God supports?

The things that support God, the thing that is in line with your word, with the line with scripture, with the Holy Spirit. You you shouldn't want to go see something where you know you're going to be convicted after. I went there because sometimes we know what we going in. I know I shouldn't watch this. I know I shouldn't hear this. I know I shouldn't read this, but I can't resist and I'm already convicted. But the temptation is such that I do it anyway.

Kevin (16:51.462)
Go ahead and watch the movie. I'll go ahead and hear the song. I go ahead and read the book I'll go ahead and watch the show whatever it is, but we got to remember the things that used to be okay For us are should no longer be okay for us because the scripture says when we come to Christ we're new creations How are you a new creation when you're still involved in the things that you used to do? If you're if you're a new creation in Christ your new creation in your mind in your thinking the things that you want to do and it should be again that

that discernment, that wisdom should come in to it. Like I just said a few minutes ago, there are things that you should see and immediately you already know. You know, I can't do this and that doesn't happen overnight. But if you have, if you are a Christian, especially if you're a Christian for a certain amount of time and the Holy Spirit is in you, there are certain things, family, you don't have to pray about to get an answer. There are certain things about the world, entertainment,

And just in general, there are certain things that you're going to be exposed to when your Holy Spirit will tell you immediately, nope, nope, don't even do it. Don't click there. Don't go there. The problem is with all of us when it comes to sinning, more times than not, the Holy Spirit will tell you immediately, you just ignore what he says. I shouldn't watch this, but I want anyway. So we do a good job of just ignoring

what the spirit is trying to tell us. Cause we just feel like we know what we're doing and this thing won't be okay. And it's not going to be a big deal. Let me get a quick story. Happened me when I was a freshman in high school and it was Halloween and I was with some guys and this is one guy. He was like the neighborhood bully. He was like a really big guy. He was like six, three, 250 pounds in high school. He was like bigger than everybody in the school. So he lived on the same, he was the cousin of my neighbor. So I remember was Halloween and this guy was not a good guy.

Of course, Halloween in my neighborhood back in the days, the bad kids didn't go trick or treating. They were throwing eggs at people's houses and throwing eggs at people. So I remember vividly, I went in the house, it was a little chilly. So I went in the house, I was sitting outside and they had eggs and they was like, we're going to go down the street and throw eggs at people. And I remember thinking, I don't know if I should do that, but I was like, okay, you're my friend. So I'm going to go. So I went in the house.

Kevin (19:14.638)
Forget my jacket. My mom saw me and my, you know, I'll tell you, moms know more than you think they know. So my mom saw me coming to the house. She didn't even know what I was doing outside. She said, Kevin, all right now, don't you go outside with them boys. They're going to have you throwing eggs and stuff. And I was like, man, I'm all right, man. They're my friends. They ain't nothing going to happen. We going to be all right. So again, I thought I just, I knew what I was doing. I'm a big, big bad, you know, 13 year old Kevin. Can't tell me nothing.

I go outside, put on my jacket, go outside and I walk up to the guys and the big guys just looking at me and everybody smiling, big, smile. And I'm like, all right, what we about to do? Everybody's looking at us, smiling, the big kid got an egg, put it right on my head, hit me right in my face with an egg and the egg just falling all over and everybody just bust out laughing. So what happened? I did and I literally ...

had egg on my face, literally. So that's what happens with us. Things that we think are okay are not okay. But the Holy Spirit tried to tell us, don't do it because it's going to make us not have a good outcome, either immediately or down the line. So that's what happened. So we got to make sure we're not like everyone else. My mom said she knew that I wouldn't like them kids. She knew I was a good guy. She knew I was a good boy. I shouldn't be in the street roaming in the light.

She knew that about me. She tried to tell me that the things they do, you shouldn't be doing. God is saying the same thing to us when it comes to this movie and everything else. There are things that used to be okay, that maybe before you got saved, watching a movie like Sinners wouldn't be a big deal. But it should be a point to where you don't have to even go to the movie. The trailer would be enough. The previews would be enough.

Looking up what the movie is about would be enough for you to surmise. I don't know if I should watch this movie because my growth is such that my walk is such that I don't want to do anything. Not only is not going to please God, I don't want to do anything that's going to lead me down a path of something that don't please God, that may lead me astray over the overtime. Because this thing. People don't leave God immediately.

Kevin (21:40.611)
They leave God slowly. One small step, one small concession at a time. And then next thing you know, you're looking back and God is far in rear view mirror. And it could be because we engage in activities and things that God is not pleased with. Now here's another scripture, very famous one. You've heard this before. It's a different version, but you've heard it before.

Romans chapter 12 verse 2. It says, not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let him give you a new mind that you would know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect. So that's the script you heard about. God's pleasing and perfect will. Don't conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So the scripture said it right there. It says, let him give you a new mind.

then you would know the things that God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect. So could it be that we're making these decisions to see these movies and do these things? And just because again, we have this freedom, we feel like the freedom gives us a shield, that it won't affect us because I'm free and I prayed about it. I'm free and I have God's.

I'm free and I pray the body so they don't matter no weapons music scripture. No weapon formed against me will prosper We use those scriptures, but sometimes we don't realize the weapon has already been formed and it is prospering Because we we don't think it's a weapon we say no weapon form. We don't realize the weapon is there We the weapons don't always look like weapons Sometimes they look like Things you will use sometimes weapons are disguised as entertainment

Weapons are disguised as something that gives you pleasure. Weapons are disguised as something that seems like it, feeds your flesh. So you don't realize it's a weapon and it's still prospering. So sometimes we miss that. So we got to, again, have the mindset that again, just because you're free to do it doesn't mean you can. And as you grow, you say to yourself, there's some things that, you know what, I used to do it and it was okay for me, but

Kevin (24:02.774)
I can't do that anymore. can't go to those movies. Ask yourself that question. It's a rhetorical question. Think about how long you've been a Christian. However long that is. Let's say, I'm going to pick a number. Let's say you've been a Christian for five years. You gave your life to Jesus five years ago. The Bible says we should be examining ourselves on a regular basis to make sure we're in the faith.

that we're still in the faith. Can you chart what are some things that you used to do that you no longer do? Or at the very least, if you don't do them, you don't want to do them. the front of perspective of I'm struggling in this area because I realized it's wrong where five years ago it didn't bother me at all. So again, ask yourself the question, is this something

you should do. Is it something you should do? And just because the world is doing it, just because it's popular, just because it's something that seems like it's going to be fun and it appears to be harmless, doesn't mean it is. So now the next thing I want to talk about is when we talk about the movie, right? First thing we got to do, we got to do some, little bit more analysis. The first thing we got to ask ourselves is when you talk about this movie, right? Specifically centers, who did the movie?

Now, of course you can look at the production company, the writer, the director, the producer, and all those things. But it is a Hollywood movie. Now, as Christians, you and I should know at this point, first of all, we can't do what everyone does. That just because you're free, that doesn't mean it doesn't cost something, Hollywood has an agenda, family. All you have to do is look at how movies have changed.

over the last, I would say 10 years. If you just look at how movies and TV, the direction is going on, there's so much more LGBTQ stuff in movies and TV. There's so much more demonic stuff in music and TV. And you got to ask yourself, is Hollywood, whatever they put out, is their content something a Christian should be watching? Again, using the point we just made.

Kevin (26:30.018)
Just because you can doesn't mean you should and there should be things you don't want to do anymore. Again, the Holy Spirit, if you have him, should be telling you as you grow in Christ, this ain't it, man. Sis, this ain't it. Bro, this ain't it. I want you to grow in me and the enemy is trying to distract you by giving you things that are definitely not of me, but he's not letting you know they're not of me. And speaking of distractions,

a little bit of a nugget, got another show coming up soon about distractions. And this is all part of distraction. So Hollywood, distracting us from doing the things God would have us do and leading us down a path that the enemy does that wants us to go down and we don't realize it because we're so focused on the fact that it's Hollywood, it's fun, it's glamour and the entertainment. So, but then you look at Hollywood, not just the motive, but who's doing it?

from the perspective of the people in Hollywood, these people are really definitely not Christian. These people definitely have an agenda. These people, if you look at all these stars and the things they believe and the things that they do, do we really want to be giving our time and our money to an entity like Hollywood? So again, just because you can.

Doesn't mean you should. That's the first thing. Who did it? But now, what's the subject of the movie? This particular movie, the subject is vampires and witchcraft. Now again, using the topic, who did it, right? Under the guise of entertainment, they're throwing in some spiritual stuff. Vampires and witchcraft, I mentioned the hoodoo priestess, all of this stuff is in the movie.

Now some of you might not be that, you you might think, well, Kevin, I'm a Christian and all that voodoo stuff and the spiritual stuff. I ain't, ain't worried about that. I got the Lord and I'm good. But the thing is, if you believe in the Lord, if you believe in scripture, then you have to also believe in evil spirits. The Bible is talking about it. Demons and evil spirits are real. And you think he's going to just come out and tell you, I'm trying to get you know, he's going to

Kevin (28:51.672)
hide himself through movies, entertainment, and music. Because what happens is you get so numb and almost sanitized to what you're seeing or what you're hearing, you don't even realize the spiritual aspect that's coming in your mind. I get this example before. You can hear a song a couple of times. And by the third or fourth, or maybe the fifth time, you memorize all the lyrics. Now why? You didn't make yourself remember it because you saw it.

You heard it. So now your brain just automatically takes in what's coming. Your brain is literally like a sponge. Now, if you had a sponge and you immersed the sponge in clean water, the sponge will be clean. Conversely, if you immersed a sponge in dirty, filthy water, the sponge will be dirty and filthy as well. That's what we're doing. We're going to different movies and things like this and we're soaking our minds.

We're soaking our spirits in dirty demonic water. That's the second thing. So what's the subject matter? Is this something as a Christian that we should consider entertainment that we should be watching? If you're a parent, you can have a child that says, I can't handle the scary movie, but you know your child better than you. Your child will tell you, mama, dad, please let me stay up and watch Freddy or Jason or something. But you already know.

If you let your child watch that movie, they're to have nightmares and they're to be up all night. Why? Because they're going to be thinking about all that scary stuff. What happens is this, just because we grow up, we may not have nightmares in a sleep sense, but we have nightmares in a spiritual sense. Those messages, those thoughts, those images still come in our minds. So again, the subject matter, is this something that you and I

should be watching. And then, next, what's the subject matter? But next, how is this edifying? How is this movie bringing you closer to God? Because this is the key, right? When I read the scriptures, and I've been doing a lot of reading of scriptures, and when I look at someone like Paul, when Paul had his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, and he got to cite back his entire

Kevin (31:18.392)
focus was Christ, Him crucified, and sharing the gospel. The problem has become we have divided our minds to think that being a Christian is not something we, this all in all is just part of us. There's a part of me that's Christian. There's a segment of me that's Christian, but every now and then I can go ahead and dab and div into some music and dab and div into some movies and dab and div into some TV.

But Jesus says he wants all of you. Again, I'm not saying every movie is bad. I'm not saying all music is bad. But again, bringing it to the point of this particular movie. When you see what they're talking about, when you see that it's Hollywood, when you see the subject matter, they say to yourself, me watching this movie, already there should be a bunch of red flags. Why am I gonna let this

coming to my mind, my heart, my eyes, my spirit when I should be doing something that edifies God. When I should be, my body is a temple, the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is what I'm doing to feed my spirit? Will spend, let me go there. The movie roughly I only have two hours, right? Did you read your Bible that long today? Did you read your Bible as long as you watched that television show, that movie, you listened to that song?

I'm telling you this because I'm convicted. As I've been growing, I've been telling myself, wow, God, how much time have I been spending on your pursuits versus my own? So even if it's something that's harmless, even more so for something that you see has an obvious agenda, it has an obvious tint to it, there's definitely a lot Christian. But let me give you a scripture because I can tell you what I think, but scripture is always...

the best example. So 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verses 14 and 15, and this is what it says, don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? Therefore, come out from among unbelievers and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.

Kevin (33:43.715)
Don't touch their filthy things and I will welcome you. So right there, again, just because we can, does it mean we should? He's saying we should be separate. We should be different. People should be looking at you like, I know Kevin ain't gonna watch that. I already know, you know what? When I saw the trailer for Sinners, I already know Barbara wasn't gonna see it. I ain't gonna even, you know what? We might go, but.

And I don't you waste your time because you know, know, know, know, Susan Christian, know, she's serious about their words. So she ain't gonna see that. We, know, we'll find another. We'll look for, know, we'll random DVD and go see something else. We'll see passion of Christ. We're going to be involved. Why don't people have that perception about you? Why don't people say when they see things that are that are not of God, that obviously have an agenda, why they surmise are already know.

Kevin ain't gonna be with us. Because if you're a Christian, if you really belong to Christ and he is your center, your all in all, he is your life. He's the one we say in church, in him I live and move and have my being. We say all those Christian cliches, but then we still indulge in things that God would not.

So ask yourself the question. All the things that we talked about so far, the fact that, you know, just because it's free doesn't mean it doesn't cost something. That just because you used to do it doesn't mean you should do it. And then you think about where it came from. The fact that this is a Hollywood movie who has an agenda, that it's about vampires and witchcraft and this is people who engaged in witchcraft were in the making of the movie. And then on top of all that,

The movie itself doesn't make is an edifying to you or anyone else. Cause remember just because you might be okay with watching it doesn't mean it's okay for someone else. Because again, minister Kevin goes to see centers and maybe I'm of the perception. My walk is strong enough. I'm mature enough. I'm going to see it just so I can critique it and give a video on it. But

Kevin (36:06.018)
Joe became a Christian last week and his struggle was with watching bad stuff. But he said, well, Mr. Kevin watched it, so I can watch it too. We don't even consider how our walk impacts someone else's walk. How what we do, the script we read a few minutes ago talks about, don't just think about you, think about how it's going to affect other people.

Because you might say, I just want to watch it. You know what? If a person, they ain't spiritual enough, strong enough to handle it, or they too weak-minded, and they walk with the Lord and strong enough, that's on them. But as for me, I'm going to watch it. so that's a very Christian attitude, isn't it? To not even think about what someone else thinks. Paul made a scripture, and it's not talking about, obviously, movies. He was talking about eating food. And he said, if you're with someone,

and you eat meat and that person doesn't eat meat. For the sake of the gospel, don't eat meat around them. Yes, you're free to eat meat. It's not a sin against eating meat, but if me eating meat is going to cause a problem with my brother, then abstain. For the sake of the gospel. So even if you feel that you're fine with the movie, what about someone who may be watching you and may think who may be weak in an area or struggling in an area and they see you and they say, well,

If you can do it, I can do it. And if your immediate answer to that query is, well, that's on them. Lord have mercy. We got to pray because if your walk is totally consistent on how you feel and what you want to do, you need to repent. That's not to say that your walk is totally revolving around what people think. But if you're someone in the faith,

You should be conscious of what you're doing, not just for your own growth, but for someone else. was talking to my sister, shout out to my sister, Dr. Briggs. We were talking about the education system. We were talking about teachers, right? And teachers, some of these teachers are catching flak and losing their jobs because when they get off work, they've been caught in these really uncompromised positions. They've been going out to a club, getting drunk.

Kevin (38:31.202)
going somewhere half naked and then they lose their jobs because they're on social media looking crazy. And their response is, well, it shouldn't be fair because just because I'm a teacher, I'm still human, I still want to have my life. Well, if you're a teacher, you already know when you sign up for that job, image is everything. You can't be everywhere doing everything when you're a teacher. How much more so when you're

that certain things you can't just say, it's okay for me. Now, let me give you my thoughts, because this is not a whole episode. This is a little something, right? I got to say your scripture, and then I'm going give you my personal thoughts. You probably surmised at this one anyway. But Ephesians chapter 5, verses 16 and 17, it says, make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. As for me, I have not seen the movie and I have no desire to see it. Now why? Basically for everything we just outlined here. Now, I'm not saying that if I saw it, that I'm going to turn into a devil, I'm going to be a heathen, I'm going go out and start believing in witchcraft. But as I walk with Christ,

in my personal growth, the Holy Spirit has now convicted me of things that five years ago would never have convicted me about. They're songs, regular songs. Regular songs without profanity in them that God is telling me don't listen to that. Now it's like five years ago, three years ago, two years ago in some cases.

Lord, this is my joint, this my jam. I was being put back in the day, man. This was no, it ain't no profanity. But God is saying, no, that's not beneficial for you. That's not edifying. And this is the problem too. Just because God doesn't tell us why it's wrong doesn't mean it's not.

Kevin (40:50.958)
Because we think if you telling me I can't do it, tell me why. Lord, you don't want to watch it? Why I can't watch it? Since when God's no wasn't enough? Since when conviction prior to it was not enough? When did we get to the point to where when God ... We say this right? We say the cliché, if God said it, that settles it. We say that

unless God tells us to do something we don't want to do or tell us not to do something we want to do. His word don't settle it then. Well, why? Why I can't watch it? Why I can't go there? Why I can't see that? Why I can't drink that? Why I can't eat that? Why I can't do that? We want all the answers when God has tell us no to do the things we want to do. We have a problem with that. So when it comes to this movie, I'm not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. I'm not in position. I'm not God.

I'm not where you are in your walk. But I would like to think that as you're growing, that as you learn more about Christ, as you learn more of him, that he's guiding you down the path of righteousness, that he's taking you down that narrow road that leads to life away from the wide road that leads to destruction. And think about it, the road is narrow, obviously, because few people find it.

Right? Here's another reason why the road is narrow. A lot of stuff you used to take with you ain't coming. A lot of habits ain't coming. A lot of thought processes ain't coming. A lot of beliefs ain't coming. A lot of lies and things you thought was good ain't coming. So as you take away all that stuff, the baggage you had gets smaller. So guess what? Now that narrow road, you can fit right in it.

But if you still trying to hold on to the past, hold on to things you used to do, things that God said not to do, but I like it, I'm strong enough to handle it, it gets bigger and bigger. So guess what? When you carrying all that stuff, maybe that's why you can't fit down the narrow road and why the wide road seems easy to traverse. So just my thing I want to talk about again, this is not something I typically do. My advice to you is go to the Lord.

Kevin (43:16.618)
and ask him to make it plain for you whether or not this is a movie you should watch. As a Christian, to me, there are certain things that are no brainers. In my opinion, this is, let me make this plain. In my opinion, Kevin Tumor's opinion, I don't think a Christian should watch it. But I am not the person, the arbiter of your walk. God is. So ask him.

to make it plain for you if this is something he approves of you doing as a Christian. So let me know in the comments what you think. If you've seen the movie, this is not something I normally do. Again, this is a show I just kind of felt led to do. And this is not going to be something I do on a regular basis. I'm not going to be dibbing and dabbing a whole bunch of current bit stuff. I may do one of the Spirit Leashers, but my thing is folks are just really teaching the word and that kind of stuff. But I just really feel led to do this, so I want to do something different. But leave the comments. If you've seen it,

You know, what'd you think? You know, judgment free. I'm not gonna look at you sideways if you saw it. I don't think you going to hell because you saw the movie. I'm not gonna say you're not a Christian. You're not saying you saw I'm not saying that. But just tell me in the comments. If you've seen it, what made you see it? What'd you think? If you haven't seen it, why haven't you seen it? Why did you sign up to? If you're planning on seeing it, why do you think you should see it? Just give me some... I just want to have a dialogue discussion just to see the comments and things like that. I may engage...

Again, just be respectful. No one hears right or wrong in that sense. This is your opinion. Just like, is my opinion. But I just ask Christian to Christian, go to the Lord and get clarity from the Holy Spirit on whether or not you see this movie. Not just because I said so, but not just because your people, your friends or the world says you should or should. But make a decision based on whether or not God says.

You should see it. Thank you for watching and listening. Give me your thoughts. I hope this episode blessed you. And as always, make sure your light shines brightest for the Lord Jesus Christ beyond the benediction. Until next time, coming soon. Got an episode coming up soon. Be blessed.