THE MATRIX
One of the things that I like to do in my spare time is to watch movies. There isn’t a particular
type of movie that I like more than another, I enjoy watching movies from many different genres. From Goodfellas, to Captain
America, to Princess and the Frog, I can watch these movies multiple times. I believe one of the biggest reasons I enjoy watching
movies is the creativity behind them. Yes, there are some movies that look the same as others, however, there are other movies
that push the envelope on being different. Sometimes that creativity may step outside of the box of the traditional storyline
(Pulp Fiction), the flow of the plot, or even having some meaning or purpose to it (Shoot ‘em Up). And just like anything
we involve in our lives, movies have a great influence. You don’t think so? Try watching a Rocky movie and I bet you’ll
be shadow boxing by the time it’s over!
In its simplest form, movies are meant for entertainment. This would be the worldview. Now as followers of Jesus Christ,
we must realize that things aren’t always what they seem. Yes movies are for entertainment, but they are much more than
that in a spiritual view. A mouse only needs a crack to be a quarter of an inch wide in order to get through. The devil also
only needs a small crack in your thoughts to get into your head. In order to do that he uses many different methods to accomplish
this. And movies are one of his methods. When we draw closer and closer to Christ, the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to not
only see but also understand these manipulating methods the devil uses.
Now here’s
some good news. In order for the devil to set out what he plans to do (which is total destruction of our lives), he must reveal
or expose part of his plot. To help explain this, picture the Pittsburgh Steelers offense at the 1-yard line on 4th
down with 1 second on the clock. If the formation they line up in has a full back, two tight ends, an extra linemen, no wide
receivers, and are lined up close to each other, nine times out of ten they are gonna run the ball. Therefore, the formation
they lined up in exposed what play they planned to use. Now that analogy was an obvious example of the devil exposing his
schemes, but through the Holy Spirit we will be able to spot those subtle exposures as well.
Here is lies the movie The Matrix. The Matrix isn’t just unique because of its shear creativity, but because
the message within the movie can be used as a baseline for all other movies. (Before I continue I want to apologize to those
who haven’t seen the movie). The two main characters are Morpheus and Neo. In this small excerpt from the movie, Morpheus
is explaining to Neo what the Matrix is. And if we look at it in a spiritual view, you will see what the devil is presenting
to us.
“The
Matrix is a system Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you’re inside what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers,
carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are a part of that system...
and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them
are so inert, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it.”
“If you are not one of
us then you are one of them. What are they? Sentient programs. They can move in and out of any software still hardwired to
their system. That means that anyone we haven’t unplugged is potentially an agent. Inside the Matrix they are everyone
and they are no one.”
What is the matrix? The matrix is a system, the Antichrist system. We have all been taught that the Antichrist
is an individual (i.e. Hitler, Castro, and Obama!). The Antichrist isn’t just one person but a system set up to deceive
many; which will even come from the church! Scripture tells us that it is more than just an individual. 1 John 2:18 tells
us that “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” Again, 1 John 4:3 lets us know that “and
every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist,
which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” And again, 2 John 7 tells us that “For
many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and
an antichrist.” The matrix is that which we accept that is contradictory to the Word of God.
So what does the matrix do? How does it operate? What the matrix does is it presents a worldview that we mistakenly
take as God’s view. But what is dangerous about this worldview is that it is forever changing in order for it to be
personalized just for you. It is all about you (us). The matrix would have you believe that all roads lead to heaven or that
we all get into heaven eventually. But Jesus told us in John 14:6 the “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The matrix will have you believe that
God will not send you to hell because God is love. It (they) will even show you the scriptures saying that God is love. Colossians
2:8 lets us know to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition
of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” God is love; and He is also
holy and righteous. And God does not send anyone to hell, they send themselves to hell by not accepting His Son Jesus Christ
as their personal Lord and Savior.
Now we know that there are only two walks of life, a life walking with Christ and a life walking without Him. What
the matrix has done is blurred the line in the minds of believers and non-believers alike. What the matrix (the Antichrist
system) has done and is still doing is making those who are truly saved believe that they’re not. And it makes those
who are not truly saved believe that they are. How is that done? The matrix has those who are saved believing, even in an
inkling, even though they are saved they aren’t worthy of God’s love, and therefore no use for the kingdom. Now
the truth is we are not worthy of God’s love. Isaiah 64:6a says that “But we are all like an unclean thing,
and all our righteousness are like filthy rags.” But the good news in Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
When we understand that it’s not us but God that saves, then we can be useful for His kingdom. For those who are not
truly saved, the matrix has them believe that they can continue to live their lives as they are as long as they know Christ
(head knowledge). Jesus tells us otherwise in Matthew 7:21 that “Not everyone who says
to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
And for saved and unsaved folks alike, the matrix has them believe that you can have religion without relationship. In fact,
the devil doesn’t mind you going to church a couple Sundays a year, participate in a fundraiser, and put a few dollars
in the collection plate as long as you don’t pray to God without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), read and study His
word (2 Timothy 2:15), spread the Gospel to others (Matthew 28:19), and give up ownership of your life (Romans 12:1-2).
The matrix is powerful. We cannot underestimate it. The devil has been at it since the beginning of time. Look at Adam
and Eve. But as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has told us in John 16:33b, “In the world
you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Amen!
