Chick Flicks and Romance Novels

I have already somewhat addressed this subject in my post ' Oh Leave Novels ye Mauchlin Belles'. But it is such an important subject and something we can never be too frequently reminded of.

As I am getting older and preparing for marriage, during this preparation I have had increasingly strong convictions regarding romance novels, chick flicks, and how these two forms of entertainment can effect in a very negative way, a girl's emotions.

"Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

"Women are wired to their emotions and respond to touch, as well as to tenderness, thoughtfulness, sacrifice, and sentiment." Nancy Wilson in her book 'Building her House'

It is glorifying to God to read about a guy-meets-girl relationship, or the movie that shows the messed up guy and girl that kept bumping into each other, they break rules, go behind people's backs, and this eventually lead to marriage. Is it considered pure and right even if the story ends in matrimony?

"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:17

"The Chick flick...this is the movie that revolves around a relationship; it satisfies the emotional feminine need for masculine understanding and tenderness and has a happy ending culminating in a successful relationship. " Nancy Wilson ~ Building her House

What these books and movies are doing to us is stirring emotions prematurely, getting in our heads at a young age a false idea of our dashing, ideal future spouse.

" Just because it is a story geared for women does not mean it is necessarily evil; women must guard themselves no matter what they are reading or watching." Nancy Wilson ~ Building her House

This leads to the way we treat our brothers in Christ around us. Are we treating them as brothers with all purity? Or are we gleaning ideas from the books we've read on how to get a guy's attention?

I am not saying that all romance novels and chick flicks are bad. But we must be cautious as we live in a culture immersed in entertainment that is the opposite of wholesome and pure.

" We have an industry devoted to producing sappy romantic novels, hours of TV time filled with soap operas, and films that aim to seduce women by drawing them into a vicarious illicit relationship." Nancy Wilson

" And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

Once you attach yourself to these anchors in the depths of romance, be they words or images, it is very difficult to cast them away and be buoyed back up.

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

C.S. Lewis points out in The Discarded Image three essential tests of literature " It should teach what is useful, honor what is honorable, and appreciate the delightful."

" God wants us to honor Him in our longterm relationships that are hedged in by His covenant of love. We are not to live for the moment, from one emotional high to another." Nancy Wilson

Our marital future depends on the condition of our hearts as young women. Let us strive guard them as we would precious, unblemished gems.

"Finally, brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8