Horror Movies

Is it a sin to watch Horror movies? I admit that I tend to watch them sometimes and actually enjoy watching some of them, of course for entertainment purposes only but lately, I guess you could say that since I decided to recommit my life to Christ, I have been unsure about whether I should keep watching them or not. As much as I enjoy watching some Horror movies, apart of me feels that it's not something that our Lord would approve of and that it would displease God. Are my instincts about Horror movies right or am I just overthinking it?
 
Hi Alison,
What your instincts are telling you is right... and is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about something He desires for you to stay away from.

The Bible says in many places (proverbs 16:17-19, proverbs 4:14-27, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, etc...) to stay away from evil. Even though horror movies can be used for entertainment... they are full of evil. Full of the ways of the enemy. ANd as you watch those things... you are renewing your mind (or filling your mind) with ungodly images and the ways of the enemy.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. If your filling your mind with the enemy's ways... it will be difficult to cast down those images that don't glorify God.

Romans 12:2 says
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.2.NLT

And Philippians 4:8 tells us what kinds of things we should be thinking on ...
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Philippians 4:8 AMPC
https://bible.com/bible/8/php.4.8.AMPC

Blessings to you... and may the favor of the Lord surround you and keep you full of peace and joy and wisdom in His things
 
Hi There. I used to always love scary horror films, too. I completely understand what you are saying and how you feel. I went through this exact same thing.
As I began to grow closer to Christ the desire to watch those movies went away. I did make excuses a lot at first. I would only watch a certain type of scary movie. Now, I just can't watch them. Cturtle is correct in what she is saying. I do like thrillers as in mysteries, but not demonic or evil stuff. I will not watch that any more.

The enemy is very tricky in how he gets his evil thoughts, hate, depression, bitterness, anger, etc. into our minds. The entire hollywood system plays into the hands of the enemy, if you really want to be honest.

I started switching all my books to christian based reading as well. What you put in is what you get out. That is a true statement.

Be encouraged. Great things are headed your way.
 
Is it a sin to watch Horror movies? I admit that I tend to watch them sometimes and actually enjoy watching some of them, of course for entertainment purposes only but lately, I guess you could say that since I decided to recommit my life to Christ, I have been unsure about whether I should keep watching them or not. As much as I enjoy watching some Horror movies, apart of me feels that it's not something that our Lord would approve of and that it would displease God. Are my instincts about Horror movies right or am I just overthinking it?

I have had the same feelings. I limited my viewing, when I oughta just cease it all. My excuse though, is not to overload on that negative theme movies, but movies can be hard to just not watch in that genre occasionally. Plus, there are many other kinds of movies. But "the Grudge", I may have watched that like 5 times, LOL.
 
I don't understand the appeal of horror movies for entertainment.

Real life is horrific enough. Jesus's cousin John the Baptist had his head cut off and served on a platter, if that wasn't gruesome enough, this happened at a birthday party. ugh! Please don't sit in the seat of mockers which is what you do everytime you watch a horror movie for entertainment. The Lord does not like it at all.
 
Is it a sin to watch Horror movies? I admit that I tend to watch them sometimes and actually enjoy watching some of them, of course for entertainment purposes only but lately, I guess you could say that since I decided to recommit my life to Christ, I have been unsure about whether I should keep watching them or not. As much as I enjoy watching some Horror movies, apart of me feels that it's not something that our Lord would approve of and that it would displease God. Are my instincts about Horror movies right or am I just overthinking it?

Dear Alison;

I read your thread and everyone's posts and can relate to their insights, taking 1 Thessalonians 5:22, 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Seriously.

When I was 19 I took my girlfriend who was 16 to see The Exorcist. It was rated R but we wanted to see the movie so much that it effected our "attitude" just to go see it. This is how we exposed "our" appearance of evil. When I got to the ticket window I showed my ID proving I was old enough to see the movie, but when the ticket lady asked for my girlfriend's ID I lied and told her we were married. My girlfriend was wearing a wedding ring. The ticket lady believed us and sold me her ticket.

When we gave our tickets to the usher he was laughing under his breath because we got away with it. I gloated and laughed with him. Not very good in the sight of God.

Back in 1974 The Exorcist was considered "state of the art" for horror movies. Later that night when I was asleep I had "nightmares" of the possessed girl in the movie, but, this is hard to describe, the spirit of satan was in my dream and it was not a good feeling.

The nightmare stayed with me for many years in my 20s. I felt that evil spirits or possession had power over our bodies and God was helpless. I cannot explain why I was that way, then, but my faith grew in my 30s and began to believe that God is Almighty and will empower us to use wisdom to abstain over "everything" evil, even a seemingly harmless spooky movie, and protect us from any form of evil.

My wife has a fear of horror movies and I don't watch them, so instead of doing what I want for entertainment, we'll do what she wants utilizing our energies and oxygen by watching movies like The Book of Matthew, The Gospel of John, Joseph, Fireproof, The Blind Side, Facing The Giants and so on where suffering exists, like the head of John the Baptist getting beheaded and served on a platter, or watching the nails go through Jesus' hands when He was hung on the cross. That is enough to make us shudder, but in all these movies, even through the context of movies like the Blind Side or Facing The Giants, Jesus wins.

I confess sounding like no fun and prudish. But let the world beware. I'm prudent for Christ and seek knowledge and discretion, and believe Paul is teaching us in 1 Thessalonians that abstaining from ALL evil includes our minds.

Being entertained in Christ brings purity, and beats being entertained by a 2 hour horror movie and flirting with evil.

God bless you, Alison, and your family.
 
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It sounds to me that you are growing! As you continue to grow spiritually & seek God's will, you will discover many of the things that you used to like, just don't appeal to you anymore. That's just part of "growing up". And as others have said, when you become unclear on something, ask for God to guide you.. with scripture, knowledge, discernment, understanding... so that you may "hear", "see", and obey. The more you practice this, the more you will come to recognize and hear what the Holy Spirit is telling you. :)
 
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