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When saying that Hollywood glorifies sin you will find few Christians who argue. But what if I were to say that Hollywood also sometimes condemns sin and shows its negative side? Perhaps this will raise an eyebrow of interest. If it is an eyebrow of skepticism that has accented your brow, then please return it to the downward position and hear me out. Let me purpose two movies that capture what I am talking about.

Punch-Drunk Love starring Adam Sandler is the story of a man named Barry who deeply desires companionship and to be treated with respect. In frustration he calls a phone-sex service. This causes him great troubles as the company uses the information that he gave them to send thugs to his home to threaten him into giving them money. At the same time that this happens he meets a Lena. She respects him like no one ever has and they develop a deep connection. He gains confidence and eventually calls the phone-sex service to inform them that he will no longer pay them.

The climactic moment of the film comes when the thugs return and smash into Barry and Lena's vehicle. Barry checks to see that Lena is alright and them proceeds to pummel the thugs sent to harass him. He then tracks down the owner of the operation and flies down to confront him.

In this story we see a man who gives in and does something wrong. This wrong takes control of his life, eventually threatening that which he cherishes most. He recognizes this and chooses to stand up against it. He does so and concludes by seeking forgiveness from Lena. This film points out that sins can affect all that we care about and that we must fight to protect our loved ones from these sins.

The second movie is Vanilla Sky starring Tom Cruize. This film is the story of David Aames who has inherited his father’s successful media company but rejects responsibility in favor of a playboy life-style. He is content with this life to some degree when he meets a young woman named Sofia Serrano who challenges all he values and finds worth in. He sees immense potential in this new relationship.

However, when he leaves her apartment after a sex-less date he goes down to his car and is met by Julie Gianni a female friend who he had been casually having sex with. Convinced that their relationship is based soley on sex he is surprised to find her rather flustered about his involvement with the new girl. He is about to leave when she changes tones and invites him to join her for a romp for old-times sake. “It’ll be our little secret,” she promises. Thinking with his libido rather than his head David gets into her car. There the conversation quickly escalates as their speed accelerates. David's attempts to calm her down fail and she crashes the car killing herself and leaving him permanently scarred.

The rest of the film follows David's attempts to rebuild his life following the tragedy. He loses his great confidence as well as any chance of happiness that he hoped to find with Sofia. He goes to great lengths to restore this relationship in some form but his subconscious brings forth his guilt at using and mistreating julies and so these attempts fail. In the end he looks into the eyes of the woman he loves who he will never have and admits that he never should have gotten into that car. He repents for his sins but is left with the consequences of his actions.

This film not only shows the development of a character as he realizes the consequences of his actions but reminds Christians that although God will forgive their most heinous sins, this does not save them from the natural repercussions of these evil deeds.

We live in a society that glorifies sin. But there is no question that people who are deeply lost still understand the deadly nature of sin and the effects that it can have on a life. Let us take these truths to heart my brothers and sisters. Cast out sin because it will ruin our lives if we give it the opportunity.


Catagories: movies, sin