What God Taught Me From Being In My First Movie

I recently got the opportunity to be part of my first movie. Called “ Bad Counselors.” Not a lead role, not something I even auditioned for directly, but a smaller part that I was beyond grateful for. I spent about four days memorizing lines just to submit a self-tape strong enough to be considered. I got a role I didn't go out for, but I was excited just to be on set, let alone to actually be part of something like this. But what stuck with me the most happened once I got there.

Watching the Professionals Work

The main actors on set weren't memorizing their lines days in advance like I had to. Many of them were locking in their lines the day of, and they were remarkably good at it. When it came time to shoot, everything unfolded exactly the way the script had it written, but now it was playing out in real time, in real life, right in front of me. My cue came, I said my line, and just like that, my moment was done.

Watching it all come together so precisely made me think about something I hadn't expected to think about on a film set.

We Need a Script Too

Those actors had trained themselves to know their lines so well that when the moment came, they didn't have to think. It was already in them. And it hit me that this is exactly how we're supposed to walk with Scripture.

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11

Life doesn't send us a script in advance. We don't get a heads-up on the hard conversation, the moment of temptation, or the day the enemy tries to convince us we're not enough. But if we've spent time memorizing God's Word the way an actor memorizes their lines, we're not caught off guard when the moment comes. We already know what to say, because it's already in us.

When the enemy whispers that you're not good enough, not qualified, not called, or not worth it, you don't have to scramble for a response. You already have one, if you've hidden it in your heart ahead of time.

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:17

That's the difference memorized Scripture makes. It's not just information, it's preparation. It's the line you already know cold before the camera ever starts rolling.

A Fun Realization

Being on that set reminded me that I take memorizing a script for a role more seriously than I sometimes take memorizing the truth of who God says I am. What if I approached Scripture with the same discipline I gave those four days of line memorization? What if I treated God's Word like it actually mattered for the scenes I'm going to walk into this week?

Reflection Questions

• What lines has life been asking you to know off the top of your head lately, and are you prepared?

• Is there a specific lie you keep needing to combat? What verse could you memorize to be ready for it?

• What would it look like to treat Scripture memorization with the same discipline as memorizing something for a job or performance?

Want to Watch Bad Counselors?

If you want to watch the movie I'm in, it's called Bad Counselors, and it's streaming right now on Angel. Click this link right here: [angel.com/JN], and it'll take you straight to Angel, where you can create an account and watch. If you already have an account, you're all set, just go have fun watching.

I can't wait for you to see my part and to see this movie for yourself, because honestly, it's one of the funniest Christian movies I've watched. Let me know what you think once you do.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/batuhan toker

Joe Navarro, known online as @joechristianguy, is a Christian content creator, entrepreneur, and cultural voice passionate about making faith approachable and impactful for the next generation. With over 4.5 million combined followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Joe delivers bold, Gospel-centered truth through a mix of daily encouragement, short-form teachings, comedic skits, and authentic life experiences. His unique blend of theology, humor, and clarity has created space for millions of young believers and skeptics alike to engage with Scripture and real conversations about following Jesus in a digital world. In 2023, he co-created the popular card game Discernment alongside Jacob and Julia Petersen, which is now available in major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Museum of the Bible, and Mardel. He also holds a degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Sales from Texas A&M.