Quick note about stage-fright - God let me have it too! Long story short - As a Youth Pastor at my Church back in the 90's I had to speak to kids that numbered anywhere from 30 kids to approx 100 kids and I would not be nervous at all, in the back room - but bring me onstage in the BIG Church, and place my feet behind the pulpit with 400 people and I was hit hard with anxiety - uncontrollably, I might add, in the arena of physiology. But God got me thru that after many trials...so don't let the physiology stop you just let God guide you thru it somehow, and it did become a "somehow" moment many, many times...But praise God 'somehow' He got me thru. Be encouraged therefore - and fail in His name if it happens - its ok!
But what was on my heart when I read this was what you said about the "horror movie - genre."
(Philippians 4:8): ..New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Now, before I go back to that verse I want to share my testimony as well. I love horror movies too, but now I simply don't practice them. But I only came to that conclusion recently even.
Why did I love them? Well, I loved them for the same reason I loved to read and study, "The Screwtape Letters," authored by C.S. Lewis. Where a senior devil was teaching a Jr. devil and his co-horts how to deal with a humans mind. It was from the perspective of Scripture that shows us the devils tactics. And to this end I still believe in studying that, for God wants us to be as innocent as a dove, but as wise as a serpent. The key word phrase there being "as wise as" not to be a serpent.
Yep - I used to gain in my faith (I thought), when I would watch horror genre flicks because they gave me things I could see as the tactics of Satan. But, hold the fort! The Screwtape Letters and the horror film genre come from completely different positions, one is directly showing evil thru Biblical standpoints; whereas, in the horror genre one is being invited by Satan into that influence. In the horror genre a Christian must read between the lines, as it were, to gain any perspective from God. This is where God has grown me up.
But I digress, for I want to remain real here in even your experiences, for if God is to put His pictures up in replacement of ours He will always allow us to see the reality of both good and evil in it, so allow me to discuss and discover with you instead of preach at you. I used to ask God about it but what I did was pander my thoughts His way. I say pander my thoughts because I didn't want to give them up so I would give good reason in human reasoning not to have to face God's truths. So, I reasoned horror films affirmed the importance of morality. It also shows us the consequences of putting faith in Science or in man instead of God. It reminds us of our fallenness. But these things, although correct, came to me thru my reasoning in my mind and not my spirit.When I finally slowed down and listened to my spirit via the Holy Spirit - heard the Spirit of God calmly speaking out Spiritual truths and love in correction and rebuke. He was saying, "I will show you real horror in Scripture as you and I spend time in the love and Wisdom.
Now lets go back to the Scripture...God wants us to understand the wiles of the devil - yes! But He does not want us to play in Satan's field of influence - mindfully.
I found out, when God had me quit the horror genre, that I had a hard time giving it up, it was a desire that stuck around for some time. And Satan would bring in many excuses: "I am just wanting a release is all," - "I need to be frightened to keep my blood flowing for good," (which was ironic when Satan would use that, because I haven't really been scared of horror for some time, and he would do whatever it took to lead me back to them. He even used, "Well as long as it is a good storyline it can't be wrong!" Really Satan!!? The Bible is my lead-in to all of my life now, and that includes whether or not horror genre movies can be beneficial and spiritually uplifting which there is plenty in there in truth and reality. But if you want to meet a need horror is lying to you about - try C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters," its very deep!
I will pray with you on this as you are guided by the Spirit to come to your decision based on His Word and rightly aligned relationship with Him..have a good night becc and thank you for rambling off your day like an enthused gun slinger with word bullets from the Wild West! I loved it!
But what was on my heart when I read this was what you said about the "horror movie - genre."
(Philippians 4:8): ..New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Now, before I go back to that verse I want to share my testimony as well. I love horror movies too, but now I simply don't practice them. But I only came to that conclusion recently even.
Why did I love them? Well, I loved them for the same reason I loved to read and study, "The Screwtape Letters," authored by C.S. Lewis. Where a senior devil was teaching a Jr. devil and his co-horts how to deal with a humans mind. It was from the perspective of Scripture that shows us the devils tactics. And to this end I still believe in studying that, for God wants us to be as innocent as a dove, but as wise as a serpent. The key word phrase there being "as wise as" not to be a serpent.
Yep - I used to gain in my faith (I thought), when I would watch horror genre flicks because they gave me things I could see as the tactics of Satan. But, hold the fort! The Screwtape Letters and the horror film genre come from completely different positions, one is directly showing evil thru Biblical standpoints; whereas, in the horror genre one is being invited by Satan into that influence. In the horror genre a Christian must read between the lines, as it were, to gain any perspective from God. This is where God has grown me up.
But I digress, for I want to remain real here in even your experiences, for if God is to put His pictures up in replacement of ours He will always allow us to see the reality of both good and evil in it, so allow me to discuss and discover with you instead of preach at you. I used to ask God about it but what I did was pander my thoughts His way. I say pander my thoughts because I didn't want to give them up so I would give good reason in human reasoning not to have to face God's truths. So, I reasoned horror films affirmed the importance of morality. It also shows us the consequences of putting faith in Science or in man instead of God. It reminds us of our fallenness. But these things, although correct, came to me thru my reasoning in my mind and not my spirit.When I finally slowed down and listened to my spirit via the Holy Spirit - heard the Spirit of God calmly speaking out Spiritual truths and love in correction and rebuke. He was saying, "I will show you real horror in Scripture as you and I spend time in the love and Wisdom.
Now lets go back to the Scripture...God wants us to understand the wiles of the devil - yes! But He does not want us to play in Satan's field of influence - mindfully.
I found out, when God had me quit the horror genre, that I had a hard time giving it up, it was a desire that stuck around for some time. And Satan would bring in many excuses: "I am just wanting a release is all," - "I need to be frightened to keep my blood flowing for good," (which was ironic when Satan would use that, because I haven't really been scared of horror for some time, and he would do whatever it took to lead me back to them. He even used, "Well as long as it is a good storyline it can't be wrong!" Really Satan!!? The Bible is my lead-in to all of my life now, and that includes whether or not horror genre movies can be beneficial and spiritually uplifting which there is plenty in there in truth and reality. But if you want to meet a need horror is lying to you about - try C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters," its very deep!
I will pray with you on this as you are guided by the Spirit to come to your decision based on His Word and rightly aligned relationship with Him..have a good night becc and thank you for rambling off your day like an enthused gun slinger with word bullets from the Wild West! I loved it!
HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA woops I did it again