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“Fifty Shades?”
“Mommy porn.” “Gateway erotica.” These are just two of the terms being used to describe Fifty Shades of Grey, a book series (and now a movie) filled with explicit sex. The movie is being released this week just in time for Valentine’s Day. It is ironic that a movie that makes a mockery of love is being tied in with a holiday so connected with love. Perhaps a few definitions are in order as we move forward.
Love – Desiring what is best for another; putting the needs of another above one’s own welfare; a willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of someone else (specifically, this is agape love)
Lust – Intense sexual desire or appetite; uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire; lecherousness
Pornography – writings, pictures, or films designed to stimulate sexual excitement
Writings and movies like Fifty Shades of Grey fall into two of the three previous categories. Can you guess which two? (Hint: Love isn’t one of them).
The Today Show and other media sources are heavily supporting the release of this new film, hyping it and treating it as though it were harmless entertainment. When someone suggests that the movie is pornography, most people seem to laugh it off and dismiss the idea. I have heard some women joking that they will be taking their husbands with them to see it, as if that somehow lessens the sin of watching other people engage in fornication.
For women considering this, allow me to offer the following, since I have some experience with how the male mind works. Men are extremely visually stimulated. It is a simple fact. Do you think it wise to expose your husband to a movie that is apparently filled with sex scenes and revolves around the story of a young woman losing her virginity to a sexual predator? If you still think it a good idea, be reminded of a statement made by Jesus: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Adultery is a sin that will keep one out of Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10); are you really going to help your husband commit it in his heart by subjecting him to such a movie?
By the way, that lusting in the heart is just as sinful for women, so – husband or not – are you going to subject yourself to it? David asked for the Lord to, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Can you realistically ask the Lord to create a clean heart in you while watching a movie like Fifty Shades of Grey?
Do you remember what the Lord said about Judah through the prophet Jeremiah? They had become a nation that would no longer listen to the voice of the Lord. They had changed God’s ways to suit what they wanted, to fulfill their desires. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; in the time of their punishment, they shall be cast down, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:12). There was a time in our country where the general populace would have met a movie like Fifty Shades of Grey with disgust. But so many in our society have forgotten what it means to be ashamed. God’s values have been cast aside for so long, that now we have a nation that delights in filth. It revels in the sort of behavior that should be shameful. As a nation, we have forgotten how to blush.
Friends, do not be deceived. No matter how mainstream our society may strive to make this sort of thing, sin is still sin. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14-16).
Still planning on seeing the movie when it comes out? Let me give two lists from God’s word. Here’s the first:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Now here is the second list:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24).
Time for an honest assessment. Which of these two lists do you think a movie like Fifty Shades of Grey would fall into?
Friends, those professing to be Christians should know better than to involve themselves with filth like this. But I am very afraid that some are going to do it anyway.
