Soap Operas and the Heart

As a Christian woman I am trying to live the life Christ wants me to live, while also living in a world full of sin. Of course, it is difficult when most of the world relies on sinful things to live, and Christians, as well as non-Christians, are affected by worldly doings. The media often uses sex in order to make a profit for themselves, because they know people are drawn to this worldly pleasure. Soap operas are often described as sexual dramas because of the emphasis the directors and writers place on sex within the storyline.

As Christians, we learn that sexual lust is wrong. First Peter 2:11 says, ”Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” Although we know the sin involved with lust, most everyone struggles with this to some degree because of the way God designed our bodies for marriage. Sexual images are everywhere, feeding the world’s sexual appetite in an unholy way, which is discussed in Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

A example of lust is the recent movie The Other Boleyn Girl. Although this is not the typical soap opera, many reviewers have referred to it as the 16th-century soap opera. The story is not historically accurate, and the immorality discussed continually throughout the movie creates a very sin-filled film. However, it has become a popular film, and many Christians are recommending it to others. I have not seen it, but the Christian reviews concerning the film prove that Hollywood has struck again in its attempt to fill our hearts with sinful thoughts.

Many Christians believe that as long as they aren’t the ones active in the sin, they aren’t sinning. But watching soap operas and other immoral shows or movies can be committing sin in our hearts. In Matthew 5:27–30, Jesus talks about not only committing adultery, but having lustful thoughts in one’s heart, and explains that it is a sin. Also, by allowing ourselves to view the act of sin (real or fiction), we are making ourselves vulnerable to the present sin, which could have long-term consequences. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Now that school is ending for the summer, many of us are left at home, without parents, eating and watching television. If we follow what God has commanded, hopefully we will all exercise our ability of choice in what we watch and will follow the Biblical examples of purity while exercising our thumb on the remote.

Trying to stay pure is a continual process and is never easy; however, with prayer, persistence, and the help of fellow Christians, our walk with Jesus will be more fulfilling than we ever imagined.

By Sarah Brown

Comments

  1. Shelley Hazel says

    Very bold to speak against popular media! People don’t always like to hear it, but you’re right. The media is marketing evil into most Christian households everyday (perhaps even every hour), and we’re buying it. Good article:)

Speak Your Mind

*