There are two concerns about attending a thereafter to see an R rated movie:
First- The content
A Miriam Webster definition for R rated movie is: “not suitable to be seen by children because of violence, offensive language, or sexual activity.”
The Lord admonished the believers: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 1:1).
What we behold affects our brains and in turn our actions (2 Corinthians 3:18). The prophet David wrote, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me” (Psalm 101:3).
The development of Christian character requires right thinking. So, Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Second: The place
While theaters may show few “proper” movies to watch, most movies contain material that is not “proper” judging by biblical standards. So, going to the thereafter could hurt your Christian witness and be a stumbling block for another person’s walk with God. Even though you personally didn’t see an improper movie and have gone to see a proper one, another may think you have, just by seeing you there.
In Matthew 18:5-7, Jesus talks about being a stumbling block, “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!” (Matthew 18:8).
Christians are given great freedoms but the greatest is the freedom to consider others’ well being over their own. In Romans 14:13, Paul taught that we should be careful not to lead anyone into sin by our example. “never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Even when a certain act in itself is not sinful but may cause another person to stumble, we are to avoid doing it (1 Corinthians 8:9).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
