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Stop Being Stupid

Proverbs 12:1 – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Ok, Christian, are you an idiot?

No, really, I mean that!

And by using the term “Christian” I am lumping myself in with you all.

Let’s take this little quiz:

• Do you believe that Satan is alive and well and wants nothing more than to kill and destroy?
• Do you believe that Satan uses every aspect of this world against us?
• Do you believe that Satan can act like an angel of light?

If you answered “yes” to all those questions, then why do you….we….act so stupid?

Let me bring a modern day illustration to this.

Lately a LOT of “Christian” movies have been released. Some are very good. Others, not so much.

Case in point, much of this craze started with The Bible miniseries and the Son of God movie. Everyone flocked to see those, feeling good that they were “worshiping God” through going to the movies. Let me break each of those down quickly for you to show you that there are significant issues with them.

James 1:13-15 – Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

The Bible miniseries:

• Let’s start with just basic inaccuracies that show ignorance.
  1. When Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, a lamb shows up to take his place. Unfortunately, the Bible is clear, it is supposed to be a ram (Genesis 22:13)
  2. When Saul goes to the cave to relieve himself and David spares his life, the miniseries explains that he was urinating, but the Hebrew word is very clear that he was taking a dump. Semantics? Yes. But it still goes to show the inaccuracies.
• Here is something a little more inaccurate. Jeremiah, when the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem, in the miniseries avoids capture. But Jeremiah 40:1 explains he was captured, bound, and later released.
• The Bible tells us that Daniel is thrown into the lion’s den in the reign of Darius (Daniel 6) but the miniseries tells us that it is during the reign of Cyrus.
• Peter’s denial in the miniseries is not consistent with the Bible.
• Herod is not consulted before Jesus’ execution.
• Peter, upon entering the tomb of the resurrected Jesus, in the miniseries blurts out with conviction that He has risen. In the Bible, Peter is not so sure.
• The stoning of Stephen is inconsistent with Scripture.
• Paul’s baptism is romanticized.

How about the Son of God movie?

• First, Jesus is HAWT! Yes, I went there. Isaiah 53:2 tells us that Jesus wasn’t much to look at. Sorry, we don’t serve Fabio, we serve Jesus. A man who came on a mission, not to win over the ladies.
• Mary Magdelene is very prominent in and throughout the movie. The Gospels don’t give her much airtime at all. In the movie she is at every key event, like a 13^th
• There are plenty of plain Biblical inaccuracies, as with the miniseries.
• The big one, as with the miniseries as well, is that there is no mention of sin and the need for forgiveness.

Those were just some very quick issues with both of those movies.

And I do not fault the writers, the producers, the marketers, or even the catering truck that fed them all. They KNEW what they were producing. They KNEW they were producing something that would exploit Christ and make lots of money because everyone in America associates with Christianity in one way or another.

Romans 12:1-5 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

The people I fault are the Christians. I’m not saying don’t go see those movies. But if you do go, make sure you have your Bible in hand and check the inaccuracies.

The problem I have with all of this is that we have let this JUNK into our churches without really even testing the spirits. Both the miniseries and the movie have sermon outlines that thousands of churches preached through. There are study guides that small groups all over America put their congregation through.

Christians, WE LET THIS CRAP INTO OUR CHURCHES! We have let Satan walk right in the front door of the church and sit atop the altar!

But then it got worse!

After that came the Noah and Heaven is Real (which is targeted to our children!) and some others like Believe Me with Christian rap star Lecrae (which is targeted to young adults!). Fortunately, none of those movies have study guides that allow small groups to follow along and learn about the Bible more deeply. But those movies are being shown in churches and being used as outreach events.

Now we have Nicolas Cage in Left Behind coming out this weekend and soon Exodus: Gods and Kings coming out soon.

And again churches will allow it into the house of God with the hopes that it will bring people in.

Christian, get this straight. The Bible doesn’t call for us to go out and fill the pews each and every week and it CERTAINLY DOES NOT call us to water down the Gospel to fill those pews!!! If you are craving a movie you can feel good about taking people to or bringing into your church, then find one that lines up apologetically to the Bible and does not twist or distort the inerrant and inspired Word of God. We chose God’s Not Dead. While not the best quality produced movie, it was very apologetically in line with the Biblical Gospel message.

We as Christians are called to go and make disciples. This means that we are to meet people where they are and explain the Gospel message to them. Point out Scripture references that show them that they are dead in their sin, just like we were. Scripture references that show them they need a Savior, just like we do. Scripture references that explain the substitutionary death that Christ offered on that cross, which we all need.

It doesn’t call for us to twist Bible stories or have a sexy Jesus or spend almost 2 hours watching people disappear and society breaking down because of it. It simply calls for us to share the TRUE Gospel message and walk alongside each person we share it with daily, through the high points and the low.

If you would like to know more about what it means to make disciples or how to share your faith, or if you have questions of faith and want to know more about Jesus, please send me an email to fred.noble777@gmail.com.

I would love to take the time and get to know you and help in any way I can.

Proverbs 12:5-25 – Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice. When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult. When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice. Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever. Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness. Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble. The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word. Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance. Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave. Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.