Have you ever considered how ratings are established for movies?

According to the Motion Picture Association of America, this responsibility has been given to an independent board of parents with no past affiliation to the movie business. Their job description: “To rate each film as they believe a majority of American parents would rate it.”

Should Christian parents rely on a standard created for the majority of Americans to follow?

It is in life situations such as this that God instructs believers to follow His standard rather than the standards created by the world (John 17:15-17). Please don’t miss this: God does not ask us to isolate ourselves by completely refusing to watch movies. He is instructing us to be mindful of His will concerning the choices we make throughout our day because these choices can have a negative influence on our spiritual well being.

Movie ratings, prepared by the MPAA also include an explanation for each rating such as sexual content, violence, language, and nudity. However, what one person may consider to be violent may not be considered so by others on the same panel. God’s Word helps parents to better evaluate movies. For example, Philippians 4:8 says: . . .Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.

One way to “think about such things” is to ask yourself questions before viewing a film.

  • Is the movie you are considering pleasing to Christ?
  • Does this movie reflect purity of heart, mind, body, and soul?
  • Does fast forwarding past unacceptable portions of a movie make it acceptable?

There are web sites available to help parents in determining whether or not a movie should be viewed by children (www.FilmRatings.com and www.screenit.com) However, parents should be ever mindful to follow God’s standard throughout the decision making process. In using God’s standard in evaluating movies, it is important to remember that His standard applies to both adults and children.
As published on Examiner.com