It’s already started. The commercials or Facebook posts about the upcoming scary movie month of October. I dislike horror movies. I’m not crazy about suspense movies. And evil Halloween movies make me cringe. Well, let’s just say the big screen viewing of “Jaws” and “House of Wax” (in 3-D I might add) as a teenager have caused great distress.

The problem is that when I see something or hear something that is remotely frightening, I am more apt to have a nightmare about that very thing. I cannot watch horror movies or any television program with even hints of a scary segment. Call me a wimp, but I don’t like it.

So when October rolls around (and it does each year), you’ll find me muting the television, changing the channel, closing my eyes or even leaving the room (if necessary) to keep these images and words from my mind and heart.

I know there are people who love this kind of thing. I don’t get it, but I know there is a huge market for this genre of “entertainment.” But because I can, I will share my thoughts.

My feelings about scary movies are not just what I think. God has something to say about this as well. Take a look at Philippians 4:8 (NIV). “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.” I don’t find anything lovely or pure about scary movies.

In a section of 2 Corinthians, Paul adds this phrase “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 – NIV) If my thoughts are to be captivated by Jesus, there must be room for Him. When I cannot get past a frightening scene in my head or heart, Jesus is pushed out. I cannot allow that to happen.

King Solomon had a few things to say about how foolish we can allow ourselves to get. Here are two verses to consider. “The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” (Proverbs 15:14 – NIV) “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24 – NIV)

Now I’m not going to suggest that the only thoughts in my head are spiritual and praise-worthy. What I am saying is that I choose not to add anything else that will distract me even further from God’s truth.

For me it’s horror/scary movies. For another it might be pornography. And for another it might be romance novels (or you can add anything that holds your thoughts captive). The evil one has put plenty of entertainment options out there for us and when we are consumed by these movies or books, we don’t allow time to be in God’s presence and to meditate upon His Words.

Let’s allow God to show us where our foolish eyes have wandered. Let’s allow God to hold our thoughts captive as we are obedient to Jesus. Let’s dwell on God’s truth and His knowledge. Let’s keep the evil one at bay and be prepared to fight the battle when necessary.

I still dread October and probably always will. But there is so much good in this life. So, I choose to dwell on the good.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

P.S. – Peabody the peacock has a friend. I have named him Sherman.