Some friends and I had recently seen the new movie Maleficent and we knew it was going to be a different story than the original Sleeping Beauty, but even still we were pleasantly surprised! The movie really takes the statement “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” to a new degree. Maleficent was betrayed by the one she loved and trusted, Stefan, who by his betrayal ended up becoming king. Out of her scorn and bitterness she curses the princess. However the story takes a twist. Instead of being the evil witch she was originally portrayed, Maleficent essentially helps watch out for the princess as she grows up and over time her heart begins to heal and they become close. Finally realizing her mistake she attempts to lift the curse but can’t. She painfully discovers the curse will still be carried out. At the same time, King Stefan becomes consumed by guilt that turns to hatred with paranoia that in the end drives him mad. There’s a point to this I promise.
My friend pointed out Maleficent’s words could not be taken back no matter how remorseful she was. Scripture warns us of the weightiness of our words. We will be judged for the idleness, the curses and the unkept promises. How many times do we wish we could take something back that we said? Or didn’t say? This movie beautifully portrays the consequences of our selfish ambitions and acting out of hurt or bitterness. The king fell into a darkness by constantly obsessing on the negative and in the end that cost him his life. Maleficent sought to right the wrong she had committed whatever it took. I don’t want to spoil the movie but it had a very redemptive ending :). True love wins out in the end as always, but not as you would think in this case!
This movie made me reflect on my life a little bit. God has been working on my heart when it comes to my words for a while now and speaking life. Wednesday during worship service I heard something that caught my attention. “Complaining is praising the devil and his works.” I had never thought of it that way, but gave me perspective. When we release something the only course of action we can take is after the fact. I don’t regret saying something as much as I do being passive. I consider myself pretty blunt, but there have been times where I needed to be straight forward and wasn’t. I shied back.
I’m realizing now more than ever the importance of living with intent and carefully thinking things through. Proverbs 17:28 says “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.” We have to let emotion subside before we speak lest what comes out bring harm to the innocent. I’m very much guilty of this, but learning.
