At a recent viewing of the wholesome movie “Old Fashioned,” I could hear loud, boisterous sounds from movies in adjoining rooms on either side of our theater. The distraction pulled my thoughts away from the chosen viewing more than one time.

Many years ago, I made the choice to walk in biblical truth. That choice remains solid; yet there are ‘mental movie producers’ who offer sidetracking thoughts entitled vain imaginations. Whether I willingly choose to visit that mind theater, the sound effects draw my attention to that which God has not promoted.

I John 4:1 admonishes us to test the spirits. In our movie selections, we read the ratings and choose accordingly. However, the subtleties of ‘mental movie producers’ rein us in through that which appeals to self. The world’s rating system is no match for God’s Word. We cannot even trust our own ratings, unless they line up with the inerrant Word.

“If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he still has a lot to learn…but if he loves God, he will open his whole life to the Spirit of God.” [1 Corinthians 8:2]

Paul warned Timothy: “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth…but will wander off after man-made fiction.” [2 Timothy 4:4] Though I choose not to judge what others watch, I’m not a fan of science-fiction nor fantasy. My personal choices are wholesome, inspiring, true-life dramas that challenge me to walk the ways of Truth.

Throughout the day, ‘mental movie producers’ bring to mind thoughts that were not God-produced. I’ll attend that theater of the mind and find my soul greatly affected. When I return to the washing of the Word, I find that I have been subjected to dark fiction. Then I ask myself: “Why did I choose to entertain myself with such lies–even for a moment?”

The mind is the battlefield–similar to a movie theater. Paul urged us to “cast down every imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” [2 Corinthians 10:3-6] The word ‘battle’ implies conflict ~ conflict of thoughts. The one who wins the battle for truth is one who “casts down” those movie-produced lies that catch our attention and draw us away from Him.

I can’t stop the sounds from coming through the walls of the greater theater; however, I can choose what I entertain in the theater of my mind.