The Impact of Movies and Music on the Home

Posted Jul 27, 2013 by Adrian Ebens in Christian Life Style

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Recently I was asked to explain more about the effect that the actions of heads of families have on dependents.

Let me give you a very direct example of the affect on dependents. A friend suggested to us a movie to watch because it detailed the challenges of a family that had an autistic child. Our Doctor also suggested it would be good to see because it reflected some of the things our family have been dealing with. I was asked a few times had I watched it and finally I found a few sections of it on youtube. I watched it alone but my wife saw a few minutes of it. Neither of my children saw it or were aware I had seen it. I became very uncomfortable from the very beginning but I delayed turning it off. Some of the negative behaviours of the character playing the autistic boy started appearing in our son in the next few days. Not major things, but changes. My wife and I knelt together and I asked forgiveness for allowing this influence in our home. Many people think this completely foolish and completely unrelated but we have seen this many times.

Any movie, any piece of music that reflects negative spirit watched unopposed in the home will affect all the occupants of that home if the head of the house allows it. Like spirit attracts like spirit and any film depicting violence, immorality, lying, stealing and deception will have influence in that home.

On the subject of music. How many of us listen to music coming from the churches of Babylon? Is there a spirit that attends this music? Is it the Spirit of Jesus or is it another spirit? Have you ever wondered why so many Adventists can't see the falsehood of the Trinity when they listen to music praising the Trinity? Is there a spirit that brings blindness into the minds of God's people? It is true that God has his people in Babylon and their music may reflect heaven's spirit but how do you know? Do we wish to find out by having a negative spirit finding access to our home? And what about style? Obviously Christian Rock speaks for itself but do we somehow imagine that Satan does not know how to play sweet and pleasant music and send his spirit with it? Where there is falsehood and selfish desire in the artist, there is Satan ready to influence our minds. Is it wise for Adventists to have people of other faiths writing and producing their music for them? Do we imagine it matters not what God they worship and what false teachings they hold? Test the spirits to see if they are of God! Discern the allegory in the story of Zimri (Music) and Cozbi (falsehood) when Israel was about to enter Caanan. Numbers 25:14. Satan uses false music to bring a plague on Israel. Doctrines held are connected to the spirits that impress them on the soul. Awake to the decpetions of Satan. Millions are deceived through the spirit attending music inspired by him. He writes the songs that make the whole world sing.

When there is contention, argument, misunderstanding amongst families there can often be people watching and listening to things that allow the spirit of Satan to access the homes and the minds of the occupants.

On another occasion, I learnt a very harsh lesson. One time I was out shopping and I made a flippant jesting remark to the shop assistant. Jesting is a form of deception and condemned by inspiration. See chapter 13 of My Beloved for more details. Shortly after I received a call from my wife detailing a significant disturbance in our home that revealed a lack of protection. In the last few years I have seen this happen again and again. People often wonder why God allows some things to happen to us and yet simply watching trivial, immoral, violent programs, listening to music not known to be from heaven and jesting to others will certainly allow an evil spirit into a home. How many people are doing these things and wondering why bad things happen to them and their families.

Several years ago, I allowed into my home a computer game that most people would consider completely innocent. I checked it carefully to make sure that there was nothing sinister on it. As a parent it is hard sometimes to walk the line of openess and yet protection. When we got the game home within in a short time of me watching my son play, an image appeared of a woman with magical powers. I knew immediately that this was going to cause a problem. Due to the fact my autistic son is attuned to emotional changes in the home, he immediately began to scream. He was in another room and never saw the game. He became so agitated that he started throwing things around the room. My son playing the game made the connection also and realised the problem. I immediately knelt down and asked the Lord forgiveness and then grabbed the game and took it straight back to the shop. Our home then returned to calmness. I can assure you that this game is in many Adventist homes and there is no awareness of the spirit it allows into the home.

Especially when a father engages in these activities, the home becomes open to Satan's attack. As husbands and fathers, we are to be soldier's of Christ and guard the avenues to the soul. Some parents respond by seeking to control every last detail of the home but this does not work. If an older child brings something into the home and definitely wishes to watch or play this in their room, confiscation can increase the problem. Stating that you are not pleased about it but leaving the decision to them, as an older child, allows the Lord to show them the danger of these things without the father or mother allowing Satan greater access to the home in general.

On another occassion, I watched a documentary about some events in Australia from the 1980's. Reference was made to some sporting achievement and then some music was played that I use to listen to when I was younger. For a minute I let myself relive the memory of that music in a postive light. I felt nationalistic feelings rise in my soul with a feeling of pride and then I realised that I was being drawn into a false spirit but I refused to turn off the program. Shortly after this I had an accident where I damaged my hand. Is this a protection issue or will we say like most, it has nothing to do with it. Is the spirit of sports a spirt that the meek and humble Jesus approves? When we watch football, tennis and other sports where faces are contorted with aggression and displays of self-glory, do we foolishly think that the spirit that attends them does not affect us?

In the night season I was a witness to the performance that was carried on on the school grounds. The students who engaged in the grotesque mimicry that was seen, acted out the mind of the enemy, some in a very unbecoming manner. A view of things was presented before me in which the students were playing games of tennis and cricket. Then I was given instruction regarding the character (spirit) of these amusements. They were presented to me as a species of idolatry, like the idols of the nations. {CT 350.1}

Few evils are more to be dreaded than indolence and aimlessness. Yet the tendency of most athletic sports is a subject of anxious thought to those who have at heart the well-being of the youth. Teachers are troubled as they consider the influence of these sports both on the student's progress in school and on his success in afterlife. The games that occupy so much of his time are diverting the mind from study. They are not helping to prepare the youth for practical, earnest work in life. Their influence does not tend toward refinement, generosity, or real manliness. Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize that is appalling. {AH 500.3}

This war is real and needs prayer and wisdom. Guard well the avenues of the soul for Satan is seeking to find entrance into the hearts and minds of families especially through movies, games and music. Youtube, facebook and twitter are some of the most successful places for Satan to access a home. Let alone mobile device usage.

Some of these things may cause fear, but God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.