Breaking Bad…is Good

 

 

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No, not the highly acclaimed TV show, I haven’t seen an episode or even a trailer/spot for it. I won’t fault you for being a Walter fan or for watching a show based on a character that is so “dark and morally questionable” (Vince Gilligan words, not mine) that even the creator of the series will be glad to get the character out of his head.

I may ask you why you watch it and if you tell me because of its “excellent storytelling with some Christian themes”…I may laugh, but I’m not judging you…unless you think laughing is being judgmental… then, I may be in trouble. Maybe I’m too old or not hipster enough to enjoy shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad but when I hear comments like: “Oh, the nudity is NOT that bad” I cringe and think…

Really? Ask King David how that worked out for him.

When did good storytelling become the criteria for discerning questionable material/media/publications? When did we lose sight of this?

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

I often think that the enemy of our soul doesn’t even have to get us to sin… all he has to do is distract us by entertaining us. If I add up the time I spend entertaining myself (and not all of it is bad, BTW) and compared it to the time I spend on Kingdom things… well, I’m one distracted fella.

We need to be Breaking Bad…and that’s good

“Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21

The real storytelling is going on around us everyday, but who is listening? People are hurting, lonely, depressed, sick, injured, jailed, desperate and afraid… affected by the same evil we face daily… except, they don’t have Jesus.

I know I may be sounding critical but my point is this…why are we choosing a fake world of storytelling (OK it’s entertaining, I get it) over a real one that exist right outside our front door? Believe me, I love a good story and it doesn’t always have to be “squeaky clean”. The Gospel story is the most alive story that was, is or will be… it is a life changer. Let’s break bad with that story, engaging people with its beautiful message of redemption.

So…do you want to break bad…with good?

 

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Comments

Dusty Rayburn said…
Yes! I want to break with the bad and take hold of the good every day.
TCAvey said…
Your post reminds me of a story I heard this summer about a kid who asked his mom if he could watch an R rated movie. He told her it wasn't that bad, there wasn't much violence and so on.
She said she would bake some brownies and think about it. Later she brought him the brownies. As he was eating she told him he could go to the movie. After all, it wasn't that "bad", there was just a little violence and since the "little poop" she put in the brownies wasn't hurting him then the little violence wouldn't hurt him either.



I don't think this story is true, but I like it. It only takes a little poop in the brownie to ruin the entire batch.
Jay Cookingham said…
Heard similar stories TC...but the point is well taken. Bless ya!
Bill (cycleguy) said…
I'm with you Jay. I have not seen even a trailer for this and don't care to. Same with Mad Men (all the rage) or Walking Dead or ...take your pick. I have enough trouble fighting the evil one and his temptations without availing myself to more.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Bill...I so agree. Still, I want to emphasize that it's the real stories that we don't get sometimes...choosing to entertain ourselves with "good stories" instead of engaging with real people and their messy, hurt filled lives.
Bill (cycleguy) said…
Understand and agree. it is much easier to live in a fantasy world of so-called reality TV than to live in the real world with people and feel their pain.
jasonS said…
I don't watch any of those shows either and it is crazy what we will justify for good storytelling or any number of things. I do want to break and demolish bad in me and in the world, not with weapons of this world that are carnal, but through the power of His Spirit and life. Thanks Jay. Good stuff.
floyd said…
I don't watch it, never have. I'm with you, we get so distracted that we miss the point of why we're here... We have a job to do and it is to care for the ones that our Father places in our lives... not sitting in front of a TV that is pushing poison of the enemy...
Jay Cookingham said…
Distraction from the call of the Master is a dangerous thing bro'. We need to be invested in the stories of others....thanks Floyd!
Jay Cookingham said…
I like breaking things as a rule anyways! Let's break some bad stuff....thanks Jason!
Jay Cookingham said…
Amen Bill...I hear that!
Rick Dawson said…
Never did watch it, don't plan on getting it via streaming delivery. Recovering addict here who sees *nothing* good about the show, regardless of whether or not Christianity Today says there are timeless "christian" themes in it - the writer for CT can be excused for being steeped too long in the culture, perhaps...

OK, I'm better now - let us not tire of doing good... :)

Great post, JC!
Jay Cookingham said…
Yeah...read that article after I wrote mine....I guess I'm not getting it. Thanks Rick for venturing over in my brain cells!
David Rupert said…
"Breaking with the Bad" of this culture is smart for souls and a balm for our hearts. Interesting how you would address this idea of how we overlook things because of a "good writing." How about music with a catchy tune?The breakdown in our barriers goes on one by one and soon we are breached by the floodwaters.
Jay Cookingham said…
The breakdowns are everywhere and we need to guard our hearts about many things...thankfully, the Holy Spirit leads us! Thanks Bro'!
TCAvey said…
I thought so too.

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