Ve.Z: Ask Cindy

Ask Cindy!

In today’s world where movie theatres are comparatively ‘clean’ and not as rowdy as it used to be, is it acceptable for teenage kids to go out with a group of friends to movies that are good?
~ An Earliteen Sabbath School Class ~

Dear Earliteens,

Great, practical question! I asked Jesus to help me answer this, but would you ask Him to send you His Spirit before you read my answer? We don’t want this to be about what you think about movies, or what I think, but what does God think?

It is true that in most countries today, there is no smoking or drinking allowed in the theater. Further, you will be sitting next to some of the same people you encounter at the mall, at the post office, and at the supermarket. So it is not the environment of the theater that we want to look at, it’s the content of what is being shown.

Unfortunately, most movies today celebrate the very sins for which our wonderful Savior was cruelly nailed to the cross. Sins like sex outside of marriage, violence, profanity, dirty jokes, immodesty, and selfish use of money and possessions are pretty common in today’s movies.

Here are a couple tests you can use to determine if the movie is “good” for a Christian to watch:

1. Does the movie pass the Philippians 4:8 test? Is it pure? Is it true? Is it admirable, that is, does it help you be a better Christian?

2. Could you imagine that Jesus would go with you to this movie and enjoy it?

One more thing you may want to consider. Even if you find a “good” movie that passes the Philippians 4:8 test (believe me, it will take some hard searching!), would you be a stumbling block to a weaker Christian? Maybe one of your friends sees you at the theater and doesn’t know that you have rejected 89 movies to find this one “good one!” He or she just thinks to himself, Oh! Mary (or Mike) goes to movies. She (or he) is such a good Christian. I guess that means it’s OK for me to go, too!

Cindy Tutsch The problem with that thinking is that your weaker friend may not evaluate the movie he or she selects nearly as carefully as you did. If that were the case, then the influence of your choice to attend the theater would not have helped your friend know Jesus better and be ready to spend eternity with Him. Is that Popcorn movie so important to you that you’ll take that risk?

Earliteens, you know what? I think Jesus is returning very soon. The question I ask myself is, “Where do I want to be found when He comes?”

God bless you as you search the Scriptures for answers to important questions like this one. I am praying for you, and all of heaven is ready to help you make good choices for “such a time as this.”

Ask popular youth minister, Cindy Tutsch, any question about Ellen White, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or even Bible questions on next quarter’s topic—HEAVEN! Just send your e-mail to cindytutsch@hotmail.com. All of your questions will be answered—and we’ll even put some of them in the next Ve.Z for Kids! So what do you want to know?