THE EXORCIST (1973)

Directed by: William Friedkin
Written by: William Peter Blatty
Studio: Warner Brothers
Starring: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow
Rated: R

About the film:
A twelve-year-old girl is possessed by the devil and priests are called in to perform an exorcism. The problem is that the priests may not be up to the task. One doubts his faith and the other may be too old to muster the strength needed to defeat a powerful and evil adversary.

Movie Quote:
“The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us.”
Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) in The Exorcist (1973)

Bible Quote:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:44 (NIV)


Commentary:
In what has arguably been called the most frightening movie ever made, Father Merrin tells us a fundamental truth that reminds us why it is so important for God to have given us the means to discern truth from error.

It is said that the best lie is the one that most closely resembles the truth. The devil, father of lies, knows this and employs it most effectively. He will sprinkle his deceptions with just enough truth to get people to accept them.

Were the devil to openly reveal himself and expose his evil for the entire world to see, he would attract very few followers. By disguising himself and presenting his lies as truth, he is able to deceive good-intentioned people into doing his will instead of God’s.

Thankfully, the scriptures say that it is impossible for lie (Titus 1:2). In that simple statement is the means we have to be able to tell the truth from a lie. God has given us His own Word in a written form. If God cannot lie, then it logically stands to reason that the Word He has given us must be truth.

It is the Word of God, along with the spirit residing within us that gives us the ability to discern truth from error. This is why God exhorts us to turn to His Word daily; to search the scriptures with diligence; so that we may know beyond any doubt what is truth and what is a lie.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. What have been some of the devil’s ‘biggest’ lies?
2. Is the doctrine presented in the film biblically accurate? Why or why not?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com