Shades of Something

If you plan on reading or have read "50 Shades of Grey" or if you plan on seeing "Magic Mike" then this is probably going to tick you off. Some of you, my friends, are going to think I'm being self-righteous which is in no way my intention. I almost didn't post this. I worried about what people may think. But then I guess I'm more worried about what God thinks. After all, I ultimately have to answer to Him right?

So the thing is, I'm concerned. I'm concerned about the popularity of both the book and the movie. One of which is being labeled "mommy porn" and the other which glorifies, what I believe, is real life porn. I'm concerned that Christian women both married and single are drawn to both the book and the movie. We tell our young girls to stay pure. We tell them that there are certain things that are meant for marriage, and yes, I buy into the idea that certain things are meant for marriage, but then we watch and read things like "Magic Mike" and "50 Shades of Grey" and justify it because we're mature adults. 

I guess the question isn't, "Can we watch it or can we read it?". Clearly, we can. And I don't believe that doing either condemns us to hell (not even for a second do I believe that). I guess the question is, "Is this profitable for me?". I mean, is this something that when put in my mind and my heart is going to profit me as a woman? Is it going to profit me as a wife, a mother, or a future wife? Is it going to help or hurt? Is it going to bring me closer to or farther from God?

Lord knows, I'm far (incredibly far . . . insanely far) from perfect. I'm not even close to being excellent in every thing I do, or say, or see, or think, or read . . . Not! Even! Close! But I'm trying to look at things through the lens of not so much right or wrong but more of profitable or harmful (and yes, I do believe in absolute right and wrong so don't even go there). There are things that I have to make a decision about whether or not it's going to build me up or tear me down, and in this case, I've decided that neither the book nor the movie are going to do much building up in my own personal life.

Each person has to determine for herself how she feels about this. I just thought I'd share what I felt like God was saying to me. So please don't stone me . . .

1 Corinthians 10:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

²³ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.