The approach you are taking in this is one that I believe to be fully consistent with what the Bible teaches on the matter. You are refraining from watching these movies out of a desire to honor God, yet you do not impose an unnecessary burden of bondage upon someone who may see it differently.

Thanks for illustrating (in my opinion) exactly how we should approach such issues.

Sorry I am late to this conversation. There have been some good comments following these great thoughts on Christian liberty.

If you don’t mind I’ll add some thoughts by way of testimony. Many years ago, my wife and I swore off R-rated movies. (The last R-rated movie I watched was Saving Private Ryan. We refuse to watch because it becomes a stumbling block to the younger people in the church we serve and so in order to maintain a consistent line of integrity, we simply do not watch. The young people have respected that decision. I know it won’t cause young people not to watch movies that may be filthy but it maintains that consistency.

However, the most flack we have received has been from adults. “All the good movies you miss!” “It isn’t a sin to watch R-rated movies!”

No it isn’t a sin at all; but you can so cloud the great gamut of R-rated movies, that if we watch an R-rated movie that may actually be really good (say, an R-rated movie of historical fiction with realistic wartime violence) by our use of liberty in that area a young person may follow our example and perceive that it is OK to watch an R-rated movie with teen sexuality.

So, in this area, we choose not to exercise our liberty. But having not watched R-rated movies in so many years, to be honest, I haven’t missed watching. Thanks for letting me share!

Cameron, that is a great summary of what I was trying to say in this.

KB, that is an excellent point concerning the entrance of legalism.

I think that legalism enters in when we espouse to “know” what others should do.. of course this does not apply to the main and plain of scripture.. but dos cover what is not clearly communicated in the bible.

As has been noted, those who are on the negative side generally do not consider it a liberty issue, but a sin issue. That makes it more difficult for them to acknowledge that those who disagree with them “could be right.”

Those on the “positive” side tend to denigrate the other side and denounce them as legalistic. They have trouble acknowledging that someone might genuinely believe it is a Biblical principle.

The challenge for Christians on both ends of the spectrum is to develop a sense of grace that allows each other to disagree over the NATURE of these issues, not just the issues themselves.

Daddy, I do remember that situation. In fact I shared it in a sermon recently.

KC, I just figured I would take the liberty! (hehe)
I figured we would be of a kindred spirit in this matter.

Great article and comments Preacher. I’m sure it’s a shock to know we have the same understanding in this.

The realization of God’s grace in my life has freed me from much debate that I once participated in.

What you said is so true: “…we cannot judge what is in another’s heart in matters of Christian liberty.”

God bless you, Gordon. Thanks for the post!

Bro. T.A., that is actually a great analogy. Thanks for sharing that.

Don, I would be inclined to agree with you. In fact, I think you are further clarifying one of my points. If we find that applying a principle to a matter is a sticky problem, then that may be a good indication that the matter is indeed a matter of Christian liberty.

One benefit that I have derived from blogging is the exposure I have received to the way that other Christians view things. While there are some principles that appear to me to be very clear with no wiggle room at all, some other believers see it entirely differently than I do.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.