As Warrior Mamas we have been discussing how we can protect our children from the lies of Satan, our enemy, found in media outlets such as books, music, and video games.  The enemy often uses media to speak lie, bring temptation, and distracts our kids from truly following the Lord and His ways.  Because most of us are so inundated with the culture around us, it’s far too easy to get swept away by the idea that the content is “harmless” and won’t affect our kids. That is exactly what the enemy wants us to believe, but in reality, there are so many harmful messages that we don’t notice, and they can negatively affect our children if we are not careful.  

Today we will be discussing how we can help our kids become aware of and navigate the lies and temptations found in shows and movies, as well as protect them from harmful content that could lead them into sin and unbiblical worldviews.  

Has Video Content Become Worse Over Time? 

First, we have to understand that the content in movies is getting worse over time and we must be aware of the ways it has become more harmful.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is made up of a board of parents across America who watch films and rate them based on the following system: 

The TV Parental Guide Monitoring Board has the following rating system for TV shows.

TV-Y: Designed for all children TV-Y7: Designed for children 7+ TV-Y7-FV: Designed for children 7+ (unless sensitive to fantasy violence) TV-G: Suitable for all audiences (most parents find it suitable for young children) TV-PG: Parental guidance suggested (may be unsuitable for young children) TV-14: Parents strongly cautioned (may be unsuitable for young children) TV-MA: Mature audiences only (unsuitable for children under 17)

These rating scales are continually evolving based on what culture deems appropriate with a continual leniency toward and normalization of harmful, ungodly content.  See more on this shift at How Movie Ratings Have Changed: A Shifting Landscape of Content and Context. 

Enjoy Movies Your Way conducted a study sampling movies from 1985 to 2023 and analyzing how many fell into each category of these movie and TV ratings. 

From the results we can see that from 1985-2023

• R rated movies increased about 1.6 times faster than PG-13 movies and three times faster than PG movies.
  
•  TV-MA content increased about 1.8 times faster than TV-14 and 6-7 times faster than TV-PG.
  

The rise in streaming networks and independent films has also contributed to the shift in more inappropriate content, as these corporations are not constrained by the regulations of the television networks or conventional movie rating systems.

Sadly the movie industry produces what sells, and the more kids and teens are allowed to watch inappropriate content, the more producers will create it. It’s a vicious cycle, and unfortunately Christian parents are stuck in the middle of this nonsense having to navigate what we will allow our kids to watch amidst societal pressures. 

Overall, inappropriate content in film has dramatically increased, and the enemy uses it to turn our next generation away from God and His ways.

Let’s Look at Five Ways the Enemy Tempts Our Kids Through Movies.

1. Language

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips”  —Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

Unfortunately movies add curse words because vulgar language, even blaspheming the name of our holy God, sells.  Sadly, it seems the only time Hollywood wants God mentioned in a movie is if He is being used in a curse word.  

Curse words have become so prevalent in politics, movies, and streaming shows, resulting in youth cursing and hearing curse words more in schools than ever before.  In today’s culture, the use of expletives has become more of a cultural norm—a means to fit in and gain attention rather than using the word based on its actual meaning. 

Whatever the reason for cursing, it is not honoring the Lord.  We cannot believe the lie that our kids can hear vulgar language and be mature enough not to think or say it.  The truth is that the more filth they allow into their hearts and minds, the more it will naturally come out.

2. Sexual Immortality 

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;  that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” —Thessalonians 4:3-4 

The progression of sexuality in film has significantly increased over time.  In the 1930’s,  regulations prohibited any explicit sexual content or nudity in film, but by 1968, the MPAA produced a new rating scale (the one we use today) which allowed for more explicit sexual scenes. Since that time, sexual content has become even more prevalent and explicit, and by the 2000’s, LGBTQ+ themes were being increasingly promoted and normalized across the film industry as well.

Correlating with the increase of sexual immorality on the screen, our society as a whole has become more lenient toward living with a partner before marriage, having multiple sexual partners, and same-sex relationships and even gender transitioning are now commonly viewed as acceptable practices.  

Watching content that contradicts God’s view of sexuality is clearly affecting our younger generations, and the enemy can easily use it to tempt our children into sexual sin. 

3. Witchcraft and Sorcery

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5: 19-21(NIV)

There has been a rise in occult/witchcraft content in movies and shows since the 1960’s.  Today we even see the normalization of witchcraft in animated shows for very young children, causing them to want to play “witches” and “cast spells” with their friends.  

Witchcraft is quite literally the enemy’s territory, and the Bible says to have nothing to do with it.  The more our children are influenced by occult practices, the more the enemy has an open door to negatively affect their lives.  

4. Violence

“Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.” Proverbs 3:31 (NIV)

Results of a 2013 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that violence in films has more than doubled since 1950 and more than tripled in PG-13–rated films since 1985.  

Many studies have shown that violent films can increase aggression.  Because of this correlation, we need to be careful about what we let our children watch and how susceptible they are to aggressive behavior.  We certainly do not want to normalize violent behavior.   

While themes with superheroes where the good guys fight off the bad guys may not be morally wrong, movies that promote and normalize rage, revenge, and murder can tempt our children into aggression and violent behaviors. 

5. Unbiblical Worldviews

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Besides the harmful content in films we have discussed so far (language, sexual activity, witchcraft, and violence) we must also be aware of the underlying themes and messages in movies and whether they promote or contradict our Biblical world view.  

For example, many Disney movies contain themes such as following your heart (doing whatever makes you happy) and rebelling against authority, often making the authority look oppressive and evil.  When these themes are heard over time, they can affect the way they view life, not from a Biblical worldview, but from the eyes of the culture. The enemy can use these contradictory messages to turn our children from God’s truth. 

Let’s Look at 5 Practical Ways to Navigate Shows and Movies

 

 1. Limit the amount of inappropriate content in movies based on your child’s age and maturity.   

Pre-watch the movie or use Christian Movie Reviews, such as Common Sense Media, dove.org, and Plugged in Movie Reviews to learn what harmful content is in the movie. 

Use filtering platforms such as Enjoy Movies Your Way and VidAngel to filter out language, violence, and sexual content.  

2. Discuss the messages in the movie afterward. 

Discuss what was good and bad in the movie and talk about the overall message. 

Did the themes align with or contradict with God’s Word? Did the movie make wrong behaviors look desirable or acceptable?  Are there any allegorical themes related to God and faith in the movie, such as sacrificial love and forgivenes

3. Support Christian Movies and shows.

Watch and encourage Christian movies as much as possible. When a new film comes out that is age-appropriate for your family, go see it in the theater or watch it on a streaming service to support the Christian movie industry. 

Not only will you be filling your children’s hearts with God-honoring content, but you will be making a difference in the Christian media world.  The more we step up to the plate and support wholesome, Christian films, the more the Christian movie industry will be able to grow and produce better, higher quality content. 

We are already starting to see this growth in both quality and popularity with Christian streaming services like Pureflix, Angel Studios, and Christian series like The Chosen.

4. Lead by example.

Keep the same moral standards that you set for your own children. 

Some movies have good messages but are too intense for young children, because they contain more adult themes.  I have had to explain to our kids when they were younger that some movies that my husband and I watch are not appropriate for their age due to the intensity of the message, but that doesn’t make them dishonorable to God. 

As they have become older teenagers, there is very little that they cannot watch that we do.  They know that my husband and I often use VidAngel for our own movie nights because we don’t want to hear the language or watch inappropriate scenes either. 

When we hold to the same convictions we expect from them, we remove hypocrisy, and our kids are more likely to develop those same convictions themselves.     

5. Stay strong in your convictions and help your kids understand the “why.”

As parents, we need to explain to our kids the reasons why we don’t want them to watch certain shows and movies besides “because I said so.”   

Pointing out scriptures, such as Philippians 4:8 where Paul instructs us to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, etc., will help them see the value of choosing God-honoring films. 

 Let them know that what we allow to enter our mind will affect our heart, whether that’s language, violence, witchcraft, or sexual immorality.  

Give examples of when you have seen people negatively affected by what they watch, including your own testimonies, if appropriate for their age and maturity level.   

Remind them that honoring the Lord is more important than trying to fit in with their peers.  While it is important to empathize with their frustration of feeling left out,  remind them that Jesus, Himself, said we should look different than the world, so it’s okay to look different.  

The “road” we travel as followers of Jesus is much narrower than the wide road everyone else follows.  But the good news is that the narrow road leads to true life and blessing, and it will be worth it.

”Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” —Philippians 4:8

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."   —John 15:19 (NIV)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  —Matthew 7:13-14

For some great Christian movies for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, and teens, click the links to my resource pages by age.

To learn about former Hollywood actress and pop-culture expert, Tina Griffin, her insights into the entertainment industry, and practical advice for raising media-wise kids, click here.