Before I begin today’s story, I must say that what I will be speaking of will in part be based on my personal convictions and I in no way intend to start a debate on the subject matter that follows. I am simply sharing what God has laid on my heart and I trust Him speak to your heart should He so choose to at any point. Next, I must confess that what I am about to share is quite embarrassing for me and I have at various times considering sharing it but decided against it. I used to be a huge fan of the Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer. I loved the books and the movies based on the series. I read the books and watched the movies more times than I care to confess. I was a huge fan.
Then, several years ago, I took a class at my church during which we learned about the importance of carefully considering everything we put before our eyes. We also talked about how important it is to guard your heart and have nothing to do with anything dark in nature. After going through a process called The Steps to Freedom, I never again felt comfortable watching or reading what had once been some of my favorite books and movies. I confess I have been tempted, but thankfully I can say that I have not given in to that desire. I just couldn’t go there again. But much to my shame, I admit it was a struggle and I have really missed them more than I care to confess.
Several months back, I read something that totally stunned me and made me feel relieved that I had never caved to the desire I was struggling with. I have since carefully searched the internet and found several different transcripts of interviews in which the author of the series, Stephenie Meyer tells how she got the idea for the book. The idea came when the main character, a vampire, appeared to her in a dream. This in itself might not seem so bad until you read about her second dream in which she tells how he came to her again, telling her that he was real and expressing anger towards her. She goes on to say that she in fact felt as if she were in danger from him in that moment.
As I read her describe the fear she felt and how disturbing the dream was I was stunned. All I could think of in that moment was that I had loved a series that had been inspired by a demon. I know many people may disagree with me on that point, but I personally believe that is exactly what it was. When you read her description of the dreams, the obsession she felt while writing the series, and then the fear of the last dream, I think that it is a logical conclusion to come to. When she explained that she honestly felt as if “he” wanted to kill her and talked about how terrifying and bizarre it was, I was completely horrified because I truly believe that it was a demonic inspired dream.
I realize that many people will have a difficult time believing that is a serious possibility, but I have to point you to the Holy Scriptures. “For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere” Ephesians 6:12 (AMP). Every book of the new Testament except Hebrews mentions demons. Unfortunately, they are in fact a very real thing. I believe it is a very real possibility that one could influence someone in a dream.
There are many stories and verses in Scripture that talk about satan or his demons influencing someone (1 Chron. 21:1; John 13:2; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8). Paul would not have warned us to arm ourselves against the enemy if there were not in fact an enemy to arm ourselves against. And I personally now believe that it was in fact a demon that inspired her to write the books. I definitely believe it was a demon that came back to her in another dream and inspired such fear in her. I believe the fact that he told her that he was real and expressed his anger over the way she had portrayed him in a good light confirms the truth that he was in fact evil in nature.
Which brings me back to the whole point of my story and why I am so embarrassed. I loved these books. I loved these movies. I mean, I really loved them. It has honestly been a struggle for me because I have missed them. Yes, I said it. (You can’t see it, but I am cringing in shame and embarrassment right now.) I recently heard a song that came from one of the movies and I felt sadness as if I were missing an old friend. How terrible is that?! There is a warning in Proverbs 4:23 that I really wished I had been more careful to heed a LONG time ago. “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life” (AMP).
“Keep and guard your heart”. That is some great advice, my friend. If I had been more careful about doing this then I would not have been taken in by something I am so embarrassed to admit now. If I had been more careful about guarding my heart and choosing very carefully what I allowed into it, I wouldn’t have been missing vampires and werewolves that were inspired by a visit from a demon in someone’s dream. I am shaking my head at my own self as I realize how easy it is to be deceived by something that seems so “harmless”. How relieved I am that I listened to the nudging of the Holy Spirit and gave them up long before I even found out the truth of their origin.
I am not here to debate what books we should read or what movies are “okay” to watch; my story has a different point. I have taken a while to get to it but here it is, my friend. What we allow into our hearts can have a tremendously powerful effect on us and we are wise to choose carefully who and what we allow into it. I don’t sit around lamenting that I can’t watch Twilight but there are still rare but occasional moments when I am reminded of it and I MISS IT! I am so frustrated when that happens but each time it happens, it serves as a reminder of the importance of guarding our hearts. It serves as a reminder of how important it is to not let something grip your heart that is not pleasing to God.
You see; that’s what it all boils down to. Is what I am watching, is what I am listening to, is what I am reading, or is what I am doing, pleasing and honoring to God? Not sure how to answer that question? Then ask yourself these questions. Is it true, worthy of reverence, honorable, just, pure, lovely, kind, gracious, virtuous, excellent, or worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8)? Or does it glorify the deeds of the flesh, for example, immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, drunkenness, etc. (Gal. 5:19-21)? As a believer I am told that everything I do should be done “for the honor and glory of God”. I am also told that I should “set no worthless thing before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3).
I have learned a lot in the last few years and it has changed some things in my life. I can no longer watch, read, or listen to some of the things I used to. Some people may think I’m crazy, some people may think I’m taking it too far, and that’s okay. No offense intended, but I don’t care as much these days what people think when it comes to stuff like that. I have come to the place that I would rather please God and be thought strange, than fit in with the world and disappoint God. At the end of all things, what people thought of me won’t matter but what will matter is if I have pleased God. I haven’t always done so great at that, but I want to; I really, really want to.
And I am learning that the little stuff matters. It matters what I allow into my heart and into my life. Even something as simple as what books I read and what movies I watch matter. I am learning that if I truly want to please God, these things matter. I am also learning that it is easy to be deceived and that sometimes things aren’t always as nice or innocent as they seem. I am learning that it is incredibly important to be led by the Spirit so that you are not deceived by another spirit. I am learning that each day brings with it a choice. Do I really want to please God? The answer to that will determine the course of my life and it is an important decision that must be made.
If I truly want to please God, I must remind myself that every decision matters. I must learn that there are no insignificant decisions in life. C. S. Lewis said, “There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” It all matters. And if we are not careful, we will find ourselves drawn in by something we had no business messing with in the first place. We may find ourselves missing things we never should have been involved with in the first place. If we are not careful to guard our hearts, there is no telling where they might lead us. An unguarded heart is a very dangerous thing, my friend.
“It is a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. My friend, this story is about so much more than what books and movies you should or should not be watching; it is about your heart. How well are you guarding your heart against things that are not truly honoring to God? That is what it all boils down to, dear heart. Are you determining to do all that you can to please the One who died to call you His own? Can you honestly say that you are carefully guarding your heart so that you can honor Him with it?
Our hearts cannot be trusted to lead us; we must be the one to lead our hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” Jeremiah 17:9. My friend, if you listen to your heart, you’re going to end up in trouble; you have to be the one to guard your heart and make it listen to you. Your heart will lead you places you don’t need to go. Your heart will have you cringing in shame as you find yourself missing things you have no business missing. That is the danger we face, my friend; our hearts can make fools of us. We must, above all else, choose to carefully guard what we allow to take root in our hearts, beloved.
