Once captivated by the thrill of horror films, I eventually came to realize—through spiritual reflection and biblical insight—that such movies can harm the soul by stirring fear, inviting dark influences, and contradicting the peace and purity God desires for our minds and homes.
I used to have a penchant for horror movies. Like most people, scary films and documentaries once held me spellbound, quite amused by suspense and horrifying scenes—a dizzying mix of scary and exhilarating emotions that kept me in a state of panic, dread, and bated anticipation.
As a child, I often had nightmares after watching spine-curdling scenes – but the horrifying yet thrilling sensations drew me into this type of film. You can liken me to a moth drawn to a seducing flame when it comes to spine-chilling flicks.
Oh yes, the experience right after watching the movie wasn’t at all pleasant– but it never occurred to me how spiritually scarring horror films can also be until I heard an Evangelical pastor explain why we should dodge watching scary movies or documentaries that promote evil.
Unsavory scenes such as violence, witchcraft, and demonic possessions, as seen in exorcist-themed movies, can hurt our spiritual life.
“Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.” Isaiah 33:15-16
To state it plainly: See No Evil, Hear No Evil. And the more the Spirit of God indwells us, the more we should feel repulsed by gory, vile scenes shown in horror-themed movies and shows.
Why Should Christians Avoid Horror Movies?
The fruit of the Spirit is peace–not fear, anxiety, or agitation–negative emotions that frightening movies often stir within us. When a film touts all works of darkness, we shouldn’t be taken aback if it fills us with adverse, sickening emotions.
And in our world engulfed in darkness, will it not be sensible to hearken to the voice of God’s Spirit above all else? We must firmly abhor any forms of entertainment that yield to the flesh and go against what the Spirit strives for. “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Watching Horror Films Invite the Darkness Into Your Home
Being exposed to movies that show demonic activities leaves us open to a lot of negative emotions, enabling sinister entities to penetrate our subconscious. After all, these malevolent beings are real spirits and very present in our world. Aren’t we warned in the Bible about their presence?
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV
You may ask,” What about horror movies that don’t glorify evil but encourage families to solidify their faith in God?”
To begin with, most horror films I watched often had a bad ending– where the malevolent being arose from the grave or came back from the dead even after the ardent prayers of the faithful. That pisses me off–watching the whole dang thing only to see that gory hand sticks out of the grave at the end of the movie. Nonetheless, even if a horror film has a good ending— the protagonist's triumph over evil, the blood-curdling series of events depicted in the movie can still hurt our psyche.
Additionally, horror movies often display explicit sexual content that can pollute the mind. Besides, there are other ways we can imprint a moral lesson in people's minds without exposing them to obnoxious movie scenes or the gory details of a crime.
What's a Good Way to Recover After Watching a Horror Movie?
There were a few horrifying scenes in some movies and on YouTube (by accident) that lingered and nagged at me longer than I had expected. I found it hard to shake those spine-chilling scenes off my head. As a result? It took some time before I was finally freed from the negative emotions associated with them.
Spending time with God and His Word is the best course of action if your mind is assaulted by some visual, graphic scenes from a movie. Let God’s presence and the truth of His Word melt away your fears, standing firm in the goodness of the Lord and relying on Him for protection.
You can also share your fears and agitation with a relative or friend, as doing so can be therapeutic and beneficial to your mental well-being. You can also pray for your home. Some touch the walls of their house while in deep prayer, asking God to protect their home from the wicked.
I am unsurprised that some houses are more haunted than others. At times, what we allow to enter our homes can also attract sinister beings. It’s not just horror movies that glorify evil; it can also be a persistent sin, an unforgiving heart filled with anger and grudges, or some objects in your home, such as Buddha figurines or pagan deities of native people from different countries.
If you feel the presence of some benevolent beings at home agitating you or filling your mind with negative emotions, it is advised to seek the help of good-hearted people in your church and ask them to pray for your home.
“You have made the Lord your defender,
the Most High, your protector,
and so no disaster will strike you,
no violence will come near your home.
God will put his angels in charge of you
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.
You will trample down lions and snakes,
fierce lions and poisonous snakes.” Psalm 91:9-14
I suggest that filling our home with worship songs or even instrumental music that calms the mind can also help deter negative emotions from ruining our day. Remember what happened whenever David played the lyre before Saul? 1 Samuel 16:14-23.
Even classical music by Bach and other composers can draw you closer to God when you're in Christ. Reading God’s words and listening to worship songs and classical music have helped tremendously when anxious thoughts strike, freeing me from the sly deception of the wicked one and its minions.
And now that we're living in the last days, where the enemy is brutal at work to seduce us into his devious maneuvers, we must stand in God’s truth— never allowing the wicked one to gain a foothold in our minds, in our relationships, and our homes.
“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 NIV
Photo Credit: ©Felipe Bustillo/Unsplash
