Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? | Christian Discipleship Podcast

About this Episode

Should Christians watch Horror Movies? is the discussion that will be having today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast.

The question asked by many Christians at Halloween time is should they participate in Halloween activities? Many Christians have understood the origins of Halloween hence it creates this great debate. Many followers of Christ have tried to help in this debate by creating Harvest events and other alternative activities during this time of the year. Although we would love to join in this debate we feel in today’s show that we are going to shift our attention more so to all the horror movies that come out during this time of year. The questions we want to answer are, “Is it okay for Christians to watch horror movies? Are horror movies just harmless entertainment? Could we be unknowingly supporting the dark influence of Satan every time we watch scary films?”

We feel Christians should not engage in doing so. We’re going to bring up 7 arguments in why we feel this way.

1. The First Argument is that we feel Horror movies glorify Satan

It seems that today’s horror movies are becoming more scary, violent, and gruesome than ever. You will most likely see in each horror movie a significant amount of carnage, mayhem, scream, and bloodshed.

The question we ask is; “Does watching a movie like that glorify God?” The fact is it only glorifies all things that belong to Satan – violence, death, fear, and suffering. The truth of the matter is all horror movies share the same theme: they all dwell on the dark side.

1 Cor 20-21 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.


2. Watching horror movies gives Satan a foothold
We read in Ephesians 4:26-27: “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

The truth is as we watch horror movies, yes, we are entertaining the thoughts and ideas of Satan, and it gives him a foothold in our life.

Satan is crafty. He will take advantage of the smallest weakness that we have. If we are negligent of the small sins in our lives, we will eventually reap bigger and deadlier consequences in the future.


3. Watching horror movies supports the work of Satan.

Could something as “simple” as watching horror movies support the work of Satan?

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Here is another thought; The ticket you bought and the money you gave will go to the producers of horror movies. In turn, the money we gave them will only enable them to further create other films that do not just glorify Satan, but also destroy our God-given mind.

4. Watching horror movies fill our mind with negative and ungodly images

We read in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS”

Are horror movies true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or worthy of praise? If we are to be honest, the answer is a resounding NO!

The truth is, 90 percent of the things that enter our minds through our eyes will be retained, and they will be in our brain for an extended period of time.

If we are to fill our minds with the mind of God, then horror movies should never be there in the first place!

We need to remember what King David wrote in Psalms 101:3-4.“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I WILL KNOW NOTHING OF EVIL.”

5. Horror movies often feature sexual immorality

In addition to diabolical and satanic scenes we find in horror movies, we also see nudity and sexual immorality. That’s how most movie producers attract viewers. Sex sells, and it definitely makes their films more attractive to people.

As Christians, we are called to abstain from sexual immorality. In Ephesians 5:3: “But among you there must NOT be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”

We are not just to walk away from sexual temptations, but we are commanded to FLEE!

If you want to stay away from movies that may trigger your struggle with sexual temptations, then it would seem prudent to we avoid scary films.

6. We are a light of the world

Matthew 5:14-16 “YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do Horror movies depict light or darkness? Are we to be partakers of darkness?

As we grow closer to God, we must also get further away from anything that has something to do with the dark side. Thus, we must take an extra effort to overcome the influence of Satan, and that includes horror movies.

7. Watching horror movies is a waste of time and or any movie that does not produce any value for life purposes.

While it is true that horror movies can be entertaining, what value is it bring to your life?

1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

We must be wise with how we spend our God-given, precious time. We must be responsible stewards of the limited time that we have. Instead of watching horror movies, we can have fun and at the same time obtain more benefits that improve our overall life.

Ephesians 5:16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.”