Horror movies are a popular genre, but how should Christians approach them? While the Bible doesn’t directly address entertainment like movies, it does guide us in what we allow into our minds and hearts. From avoiding fear-based content to guarding our thoughts, the Bible offers principles to consider when choosing what to watch.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About injustice
What Does The Bible Say About watching horror movies
1 Corinthians 10:23
““Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is constructive.”
This verse reminds us that while we have freedom in Christ, not everything is beneficial or constructive for our spiritual well-being. It is important to be mindful of what we expose ourselves to, including horror movies, and discern whether they align with biblical values.
Personal commentary: As a Christian, I believe that what we watch can have an impact on our thoughts, emotions, and even our spiritual lives. Horror movies, in particular, often portray violence, fear, and darkness. While some may argue that it’s just entertainment, I find it important to evaluate whether watching such content is edifying and glorifying to God.
Philippians 4:8
“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.”
This verse encourages us to focus our minds on things that are good, pure, and praiseworthy. Watching horror movies may not align with the qualities mentioned in this verse, as they often contain scenes of violence, fear, and darkness. It is important to assess whether engaging in such content aligns with our desire to dwell on that which is noble and excellent.
Personal commentary: This verse reminds me of the importance of guarding my thoughts and being intentional about what I choose to dwell on. Instead of filling my mind with fear-inducing and disturbing images, I strive to focus on things that bring me closer to God and promote a positive and uplifting mindset.
Psalm 101:3
“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.”
This verse emphasizes the commitment of the psalmist to avoid approving or participating in anything vile or wicked. It serves as a reminder to be discerning about the content we consume and to distance ourselves from things that go against our values as Christians.
Personal commentary: As a follower of Christ, I strive to align my actions and choices with His teachings. This verse reminds me to be vigilant about the media I consume, including horror movies, and to consciously distance myself from any content that promotes violence, darkness, or immorality.
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
In this verse, believers are encouraged to have nothing to do with the unfruitful deeds of darkness. While watching horror movies might not necessarily be participating in evil deeds, it is important to consider whether they contribute to our spiritual growth or expose us to unnecessary darkness.
Personal commentary: Exposing the fruitless deeds of darkness means standing against them and adhering to a life that reflects the light of Christ. As I evaluate my choices regarding entertainment, I strive to be discerning and avoid indulging in media that may promote darkness or compromise my walk with God.
1 John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
In these verses, believers are warned against loving the things of the world, which include the cravings of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. It is essential to evaluate whether watching horror movies aligns with our love for God and our commitment to resist worldly influences.
Personal commentary: These verses serve as a reminder to prioritize my love for God above everything else. As I make decisions about the media I consume, including horror movies, I reflect on whether they feed into my fleshly desires, foster unhealthy curiosity, or promote values that are contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
These verses remind believers to bring their worries, concerns, and anxieties to God in prayer and trust in His peace. It is important to evaluate the impact that horror movies might have on our emotions and mental well-being, and whether they contribute to a state of restlessness or anxiety.
Personal commentary: I have experienced moments of fear and anxiety after watching certain horror movies, which has led me to be more discerning about the content I expose myself to. I strive to prioritize my mental and emotional well-being, seeking peace and tranquility that can only come from God.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This verse calls believers to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God. It reminds us that our actions and choices should be done with a desire to honor and glorify Him. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate whether watching horror movies aligns with this mindset and reflects the values we hold as Christians.
Personal commentary: As I strive to live a life that reflects my faith, I am mindful of how my choices, including the movies I watch, can impact my witness to others. I seek to honor God in all I do and consider whether certain content, such as horror movies, aligns with this desire.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
These words of wisdom encourage believers to protect their hearts, as everything we do and the choices we make flow from it. Watching horror movies, with their focus on fear, darkness, and violence, can potentially impact our hearts and contribute to negative emotions or desensitization to certain behaviors.
Personal commentary: I believe that what I watch can influence my thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. Therefore, I seek to guard my heart by being mindful of the content I consume, including horror movies. I strive to fill my heart with things that promote love, joy, peace, and righteousness.
Psalm 119:37
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
These words reflect a desire to turn away from worthless or vain things and instead align our lives with God’s Word. It encourages believers to be intentional about the things they allow themselves to see and engage with, considering whether they hold value and align with God’s truth.
Personal commentary: I have found that intentionally turning my eyes away from certain types of content, such as horror movies, has helped me focus on things that are edifying and align with my faith. I seek to preserve my life in accordance with God’s Word and choose media that reflect His truth.
Romans 12:2
“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.”
In this verse, believers are called to reject conformity to the world’s patterns and instead be transformed by renewing their minds according to God’s truth. Evaluating the impact of horror movies on our thought patterns and discerning whether they align with God’s will is crucial in pursuing a life that reflects His ways.
Personal commentary: I believe that the choices I make regarding the media I consume can shape my thought patterns and perspectives. Therefore, I strive to be intentional about the content I engage with, including horror movies, and ensure that they do not conform me to the patterns of the world but rather help me align my mind with God’s truth.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
These words of Jesus highlight the importance of purity of heart and its connection to seeing God. It encourages believers to strive for purity and evaluate whether the content they engage with, including horror movies, promotes purity of heart or hinders their ability to experience the presence of God.
Personal commentary: I believe that purity of heart is essential for drawing closer to God and experiencing His presence. As I evaluate my entertainment choices, including horror movies, I consider whether they support or hinder the pursuit of a pure heart and a deepening relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of taking every thought captive and aligning them with knowledge of God. It directs believers to evaluate the thoughts that arise from watching horror movies and determine whether they enable them to be obedient to Christ in their thinking.
Personal commentary: I have found that certain thoughts or images from horror movies can linger in my mind and affect my thinking. Therefore, I strive to take captive those thoughts, discern whether they align with the knowledge of God, and choose to cultivate a thought life that is obedient to Christ.
Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
These words of the psalmist encourage believers to turn away from evil and instead do good, seek peace, and pursue it. It directs believers to evaluate whether watching horror movies aligns with pursuing peace and actively choosing to engage in that which is good and pleasing to God.
Personal commentary: As a Christian, I strive to choose activities and media that promote peace, goodness, and righteousness. While horror movies might not inherently be evil, I evaluate whether engaging in them supports my efforts to seek peace and actively pursue that which is pleasing to God.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
In these verses, the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes qualities such as love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control. Considering whether watching horror movies contributes to cultivating these fruits in our lives is essential for evaluating their alignment with our Christian faith.
Personal commentary: As a follower of Christ, I strive to reflect the fruit of the Spirit in my attitudes and actions. Therefore, I evaluate whether the media I engage with, including horror movies, supports the cultivation of these qualities in my life or potentially hinders my ability to exhibit them.
Proverbs 16:6
“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.”
According to this verse, love and faithfulness contribute to the atonement of sin, while the fear of the Lord helps to steer clear of evil. Considering whether watching horror movies promotes love and faithfulness or deepens the fear of the Lord is necessary to evaluate their impact on our Christian walk.
Personal commentary: This verse reminds me of the importance of embodying love and faithfulness, as well as the fear of the Lord, in my daily life. As I assess my entertainment choices, including horror movies, I consider whether they contribute to my growth in these areas or hinder my ability to live in love, faithfulness, and reverence for God.
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
These words of Paul to Timothy urge young believers to set an example for others in various aspects of their lives, including speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Evaluating whether watching horror movies aligns with setting a positive example and nurturing these qualities is crucial for young Christians.
Personal commentary: As a young believer, I strive to set a positive example for others, bearing in mind that my choices, including the movies I watch, can influence those around me. I consider whether horror movies hinder or nurture speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity in my own life.
Proverbs 3:7
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
This verse exhorts believers to avoid relying solely on their own wisdom and instead to fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It calls for discernment in evaluating whether watching horror movies aligns with the fear of the Lord and avoiding evil in our lives.
Personal commentary: It is easy to rely on our own understanding and dismiss the potential impact of certain movies, such as horror films. However, I find it important to humble myself before God, seek His wisdom, and evaluate whether engaging in such content aligns with a genuine fear of the Lord and a desire to shun evil.
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In these verses, Jesus calls believers the light of the world, urging them to let their light shine through their good deeds and actions. Considering whether watching horror movies aligns with being a positive and influential light in the world is essential for evaluating their impact on our Christian witness.
Personal commentary: These verses inspire me to be mindful of the light I am called to be in the world and the influence I have on others. As I evaluate my choices regarding entertainment, I consider whether certain content, including horror movies, supports or hinders my ability to shine God’s light and glorify Him through my actions.
Proverbs 14:16
“The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.”
This verse contrasts the wisdom of fearing the Lord and avoiding evil with the foolishness of being reckless and feeling secure in one’s own ways. It directs believers to evaluate whether watching horror movies aligns with the fear of the Lord and a wise discernment of what is edifying and beneficial.
Personal commentary: Fearing the Lord and exercising wisdom in our choices involves recognizing that our security and guidance come from Him. When it comes to consuming media, like horror movies, I strive to be discerning and avoid acting in a foolish manner by disregarding the potential impact on my faith and well-being.
Proverbs 22:3
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
In this verse, the prudent are praised for perceiving danger and seeking refuge, while the simple-minded suffer the consequences of their ignorance. It calls for the evaluation of whether watching horror movies aligns with prudence, discernment, and the determination to protect oneself from potential harm.
Personal commentary: It is important to exercise prudence and discernment in the choices we make, including the media we engage with. When it comes to horror movies, I consider whether their potential negative effects on my mental and emotional well-being outweigh any temporary entertainment value they may provide.
Proverbs 4:14-15
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”
These verses urge believers to avoid the path of the wicked and to turn away from it, choosing instead to walk in the ways of righteousness. When deciding whether to watch horror movies, it is essential to evaluate whether they align with this call to turn away from evil.
Personal commentary: As a Christian, I strive to walk in the ways of righteousness and avoid the influences of wickedness. Horror movies often portray evil and darkness, making it necessary to critically assess whether engaging in such content aligns with my commitment to turn away from evil and walk in the ways of God.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In these words, Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous, assured of God’s presence and guidance. When deciding whether to watch horror movies, it is important to examine whether they foster fear and discouragement or undermine our trust in God’s constant presence.
Personal commentary: As a Christian, I strive to live with strength and courage, finding my confidence in the presence and guidance of God. I evaluate whether watching horror movies aligns with this desire to foster courage and trust in Him, or whether it contributes to unnecessary fear and discouragement.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
These verses highlight the significance of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and call for believers to honor God with their bodies. Evaluating whether watching horror movies aligns with this call to treat our bodies as sacred and honor God in all we do is essential.
Personal commentary: As a Christian, I recognize the importance of honoring my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. This verse reminds me to be mindful of the media I consume, including horror movies, and to ensure that they align with the desire to honor God in all aspects of my life.