Why I'm Not Buying a Ticket to 50 Shades of Grey

The craziness over 50 shades of Grey has started again. All over my social media, it's all I see. Granted, most people that I have as friends or follow are speaking ill of it... but as I read comments on other forums, I can hardly believe all the people who are raving about it. Now, I've never read the book myself, nor do I have any intention to see the movie. Last night, I did a little research to see what all the fuss was about. What I gathered from that is that it's about a control freak, abusive guy who takes advantage of a meek and mild mannered woman. However, I also picked up that the book is quite verbally graphic... I read a couple excerpts from it and didn't dare read one more word. It was absolutely disgusting and if the book was that bad, I don't even want to think about what the movie will be like... I didn't even dare watch the trailer. 

I don't understand why so many women are obsessing over this explicit, vulgar piece of literature, and even desiring to spend MONEY and see a dramatized version of it. It is purely and completely wrong, and nothing that we should be allowing to poison our minds and hearts. I hope that the movie is one of the biggest flops hollywood has ever seen, but sadly, I know that will most likely not be the case. 

I want to share with you the reasons I will not be reading the book or seeing the movie... and I completely urge you to do the same.

1. We are called to Purity and Holiness.

Philippians 4:8 says this: "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." 

I try to live my life according to that verse, among other verses. Nothing that is in 50 Shades of Grey will fall in line with the things that we are supposed to be allowing into our brains. If I am trying to live my life and guard my mind according to Philippians 4:8... then why would I allow the images that will undoubtedly be on the screen in hundreds of movie theaters into my head? Why would I allow those things to affect my brain and shape the way that I see men and the way that I see people in general? 

2. I want to Guard my Heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

I've always struggled with guarding my heart. I tend to be an open book, I'll sit down with almost anyone and tell them my life story. Someone once told me I'm like one of the big rotating gas station signs on the side of a highway, you can see me for a while and I shine bright, there's no hiding me. Keeping my heart so open has caused me a great deal of pain in my life... and it's something I'm working on. Another way that my heart gets in trouble is actually from books and movies, which is ironic since I enjoy those things so incredibly much. Sometimes, I allow myself to get attached to characters and story lines in these forms of entertainment (as many women do) and then when they're over... I am sometimes left not knowing what to do... or trying to live my life how the characters in the book or movie did (obviously to a certain extent... I'm not going to go try and find a murderer on a plane after watching "Non Stop") If I were to allow myself to get caught up in the characters of this book/movie... what good would that do me? If I am truly trying to protect my heart and guard it, why would I allow my heart to be open to those images and words?

3. I wouldn't go see it with my Dad or Boyfriend/Future Husband. 

This is something that I try to have as a guideline when it comes to entertainment. If I wouldn't want to watch it, read it, or listen to it with my Dad... then I steer clear of it. It's like a saying I've seen about how far is too far in dating... "if you wouldn't do it in front of your father... it's too far." I think the same goes for this. I love my Daddy (yes, I'm 21 years old and still call him Daddy... say something) and I care a great deal about how he thinks of me. My Dad is a wonderful, Christ centered man who has led our household with patience and love, and he has been an amazing example of what I eventually want in a husband... which brings me to my second part. I wouldn't go see this movie with Asa... nor would I want him to go see it. I want to protect myself for him as much as I can, and allowing those images and things into my heart and brain is accomplishing the exact opposite of that. If I would feel awkward or uncomfortable watching it with my Dad or Asa... it's not a good idea to see it at all... that's just a standard that I live my life by.

Now, I encourage you... please protect yourself. Please don't allow this fantasized book/movie encapsulate your heart and mind. It is unhealthy, and you are worth more than that. You are called to more than that. 

Be Blessed, Beautiful People. xoxo