How To (Still) Survive A Horror Movie

Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the movie Scream, declared that “The horror genre was destroyed by sequels.” And while he may have a point (we’re looking at you, Friday the 13th: Jason Takes Manhattan), we beg to differ! Because sometimes a horror movie sequel breaks new territory, pushes its story into uncharted places, and, on rare occasions, is superior to the original. And that’s why this #SpookySZN, we’re creeping into our own scary sequel; once again learning what to do when we find out the movie of our life has become a horror flick. So grab some popcorn, turn off all the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus can help us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns that have taken the lives of so many others.

Part 1

Get Yourself a Tune-up

Have you ever noticed how cars in horror movies never work when they need to? Chances are the “Check Engine” light had been on for months, but the protagonist just kept putting off that trip to the mechanic. Honest question...do you do the same with your faith? Neglect it, but then hope it holds up under the pressures of life? If we want a faith that will survive, we need to be strengthening it before the killer is at our front door.

Part 2

Watch What You Say

Scary movies like Candyman, and spooky urban legends like “Bloody Mary,” suggest that pure evil can be invoked by nothing more than the power of our words. And in a sense, how true that is! Scripture tells us time and time again that the power of life and death is found in the tongue. We can make someone’s day with a small compliment, or we can ignite insecurity with a snarky comment. So how are we using our words? Are we bringing life or death to those around us?

Part 3

Don’t Trust the Realtor

Common Horror Movie Trope: Family moves to a house in the country looking for a fresh start. And the deal always sounds incredible, doesn’t it? “A gorgeous Victorian purchased for a third of the appraisal value.” But there is always a catch. Something terrible happened in that house, and the deal is inevitably too good to be true. And so it is with sin. Sin always over-promises and under-delivers, hiding the true cost of your transaction. If you want to avoid this “horror movie moment” in your life, remember: Never take the deal, no matter how tempting it appears.

Part 4

Beware Where You Build

Almost every other haunted house movie has the same premise. A house was built on a cemetery or a sacred burial ground. Which begs the question: “What in the world were the builders thinking?” We all know that the foundation of a house is it’s most crucial component...Speaking of which—where are you building the house of your life? Are you building on a solid foundation or one that will lead to hauntings and “horror movie moments” of your own?

Part 5

Fight, Not Flight

Running from the killer never goes well. The protagonist falls down, they get cornered, they hurt themselves—and in the end, the killer always catches up. So what if the best way to survive a horror movie is to face the killer head-on? You see, it’s time to stop running away from the battle. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is alive and He is empowering you—it’s time to start acting like it!