Sinners; to be or not to be?

Hello! If you are reading this, I would like you to know I am a sinner (by flesh) who by love and grace has been afforded the opportunity to become a child of God. Joining the family of the most high comes with many perks. For example, holiness, righteousness, sanctification etc. I am pilgrim on a journey of sanctification. At the tail end of this trip is a transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ. A metamorphosis in spirit, soul and body into the person that God (through His divine word) has called me to be. I am a stained shirt going through the entire washing, cleaning and drying process. This journey is not as straightforward as it seems. The pilgrim is often challenged with many bumps and obstacles along the road. These ups and downs play a pivotal role (positively or negatively) in the eventual outcome of the expedition. 

I am also a storyteller (by calling, by passion and by profession). I love reading, watching, listening to and telling stories. A well told tale gives me unspeakable joy and fuel to go through the ebbs and flows of this earthly life. We live in an age where stories (good and bad) abound. In one second, I find a teaching with sound biblical doctrine and a second later, I scroll to a video that talks about the importance of pornography and extra marital affairs in a marriage. Suffice it to say, my passion for stories and storytelling must also go through the vigorous process of sanctification otherwise I stand the risk of being blown to and fro by every wind of content.

My engagement with stories is more than just entertainment. It stretches to enjoying the form and relating/ being inspired by the message/meaning in the story. The appreciation of the art form has led me down a path of intaking content that is Christian and non-Christian alike, even as a follower of Jesus Christ. For example, the honest truth is that the "Christian" film industry can improve when it comes to the art of storytelling. Many of the current stories are one dimensional and do not employ story enhancing techniques. However, all hope is not lost as there is growth in the sector as can be seen in shows like The Chosen and House of David. 

Due to the current state of affairs, I am therefore (in many instances) charged guilty of watching and listening to content that I should stay away from as a child of God. But before you (especially the Pharisees) get out the pitch forks, I am very aware of the folly of engaging with spiritually dangerous content and I am a work in progress in this journey of sanctification. Over the years, I have had to (through the grace of God) renew my mind and flee from content that is not Godly. The practice of being intentional about what content I engage with (especially as a movie buff) started way back when I was in a hostel at a university. It has not been easy, but through the help of God, I am now at a place where I am extremely picky about what I watch. Of course, unfortunately, something always falls through the cracks.

Last year, I had the pleasure and displeasure of watching the film Sinners at a cinema. The film is written, produced and directed by Ryan Coogler, one of the most outstanding filmmakers of this generation. I am a fan of his work as a storyteller. This is why I was interested in watching the film (for those of you who are wondering why I would want to watch a movie with a creepy title in the first place). I used the words pleasure and displeasure concurrently because on the one hand, Sinners is an artistic masterpiece. The script, directing, acting, cinematography, choreography, design, costumes, and music are stunning. This is backed up by the recently concluded Oscars ceremony where the film was nominated for various awards and enabled Micheal B Jordan garner a best actor award (his performance in the film was amazing). On the other hand, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I stirred uncomfortably on the comfy cinema seat. By the time the credits were rolling my head was pounding. Why? (Warning! Spoiler alert!) I couldn't come to grips with the meaning of the film. 

A young musically talented African American boy, who is groomed in the church by his hardline father (the leader of the church) desires to live a life of adventure and of freedom to play the blues. He meets his cousins, two deranged psychopaths who can put his talent to good use. He leaves the church and his father (who continuously tells him that blues music is sinful) behind and is ushered into a world of "freedom", lust and eventually zombies. The zombies (evil spirits) are drawn by the power of his music (the blues) because it reminds them of happier times and gives them relief from their suffering. His music is so powerful that it has the adverse effect of exciting the listeners (humans and zombies) into a "spiritual", ritual and lustful frenzy. The zombies seek this boy in a ploy to turn him into one of their own and enjoy his music forever. Being zombies, they bite and turn many of the country folk, leaving the boy and his band of misfits to battle against the scourge of evil. To the common eye this seems like a simple story of the hero's journey, the classic good vs evil and the power of music. But to the trained eye, one can see the various meanings that are shot like tiny darts. On a side note, one of the lessons I took from this rough experience is that if we as the Church don't disciple the sheep, the sheep will go astray. Woe be unto this world when a divinely gifted child of God deviates from the faith and uses his/her talent to glorify the passions of the flesh (which we have seen in many instances). 

What am I driving at? The movie buff in me liked the craft of the film but the Christ like nature in me was downright unhappy about many of the messages in the film. The film is a celebration of blues music (which I have nothing against), but it glorifies worldly lusts and witchcraft. It also has an undertone of the toleration of evil spirits. These messages are in direct contravention with what the word of God teaches. The Bible calls us to be watchful and to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of virtue, of praise and are of good report (Philippians 4:8). I did not leave the cinema that day with a good report. 

I am on a journey of sanctification and living in truth and righteousness that only God can provide. Pursuant to this, I now read previews about a film before I watch it. I avoid content that fights against my determination to daily renew my mind towards obeying God. Is it easy to fully stay away from such content? Admittedly, it is hard. But the grace and guidance of God (especially through His word) empowers me on a daily basis. Reveling in lust and unholy passions is unhealthy and will lead me to disaster. The question I must answer daily is whether to be or not to be a reveling sinner?