Spider-Man and Man's Hunger for Glory

I just got done watching the new Spider-Man movie and it was great as far as movies go. But as the cold dark theater faded away and I was in the hot July heat I couldn't shake the feeling of discontentment that usually accompanies these really great superhero movies. It was as if spiritual things were hard to ponder on and my heart was stuck on thoughts of what Jase Parker would be like. While I may be the only guy or girl who feels like this when I leave a movie, I am willing to bet that some other people out there feel this same tug deep within them after they see these movies. So these are just some things that I thought about. What makes men and women discontent with the life they're living?

Glory: These superhero movies appeal to a deep sense within men to stand up for the right thing and defend the truth. The bravery and courage and leadership that these men show is something that God seems to have put within all men in some measure. But it is easy for the flesh to be tempted to covet these fake powers  men use and in essence fall for the lie of Satan in Genesis that we can become like God. Our flesh covets the ability to throw down opponents and solve problems that are normally out of our control. If only I could climb walls I could do so much good and I could solve so many problems out there. These imaginings can be sinful if left unchecked for too long as we become discontent and cold to the spiritual truth that only God can give and take life and that ultimately all of our feet are planted firmly in mortality and subjection to the true and only power that resides with our God. Beware of these things as you watch movies about men who seem to have it all go their way and solve every problem by their own strength.

Passion: I am not even going to try and pretend like I know what women think when they watch movies like the newest Spider-Man. But, I see a tremendous opportunity for women to feel discontent when the July heat comes back into view because they see the lead actress in these movies engaging in a love relationship with a glorious truth defending all around good guy who happens to be very handsome (Who doesn't want that in a man?). Then they look around and are reminded that men at their best are still men. Relationships are more than kisses at the right moment and corny one liners as your man jumps out the window. How easy it would be to love a man who looked like that and acted like that and stood up for me like that! Men can and should do those things for women but they might not be as smooth with the one liners because they don't have twelve people working 40 hours a week to perfect their script. And they might not be able to fight bad guys who rob old ladies but they can certainly hold the door open for you and stick by your side when you are having a horrible day. Beware of these things as you watch movies where the actors have a "perfect" passionate relationship that seems so easy.

Why did I write this? Not because I think watching movies is wrong (although some are) but because I needed to remind myself of what the real world is about and I needed to deal with the fleshly desires for glory and passion. All glory belongs to God and any passion we have that is not first rooted in Christ will fail as we find out that men and women are flawed.