In a New York Times interview, Denzel Washington surprised many by showing off his spiritual roots and sharing a meaningful message of faith and sacrifice.
Promoting his movie “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” which is slotted to be released Christmas day, Washington said, “It’s just a beautiful story of loss and love, a story about real heroes and sacrificing, men and women who have given their lives so that we have the freedom to complain.”
“Phenomenally dark and wicked, Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth is the most worthy adaptation of a Shakespearean work that has been seen on screen in years.” – Shadow and Act
Denzel Washington stars in The Tragedy of Macbeth, opening at The Loft Cinema on Saturday, Jan 1st! pic.twitter.com/5NsQ8IBUqa
— theloftcinema (@TheLoftCinema) December 14, 2021
A Meaningful Message in the Age of Selfishness
Washington didn’t stop at his description of the movie but began giving the interviewer a lesson on spiritual warfare.
“This is spiritual warfare,” the Holywood heavyweight and two-time Oscar winner said. “So, I’m not looking at it from an earthly perspective. If you don’t have a spiritual anchor, you’ll be easily blown by the wind and you’ll be led to depression.”
"If you don't have a spiritual anchor you'll be easily blown by the wind and you'll be led to depression."https://t.co/iV3gQ47kGH
— The 700 Club (@700club) December 11, 2021
“The enemy is the inner me,” he continued. “The Bible says in the last days — I don’t know if it’s the last days, it’s not my place to know — but it says we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie, ‘Oh, me at the protest.’ ‘Me with the fire.’ ‘Follow me.’ ‘Listen to me.’
Hello…
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“The enemy is the inner me. The Bible says in the last days, we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie.”
– Denzel Washington— Scott Sauls (@scottsauls) December 15, 2021
“We’re living in a time where people are willing to do anything to get followed. What is the long- or short-term effect of too much information? It’s going fast and it can be manipulated obviously in a myriad of ways. And people are led like sheep to the slaughter.”
Following a Legacy of Faith
Washington explained that when he lost his mother his perspective on life, and how to live it, changed. The Times reported that his last promise he made to her was that he would “attempt to honor her and God by living the rest of my days in a way that would make her proud.”
TONIGHT: Denzel Washington opens up about losing his mother this year, at age 97. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/ODr0kqwlry
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) December 16, 2021
Washington’s father was a Pentecostal Preacher, although gone nearly 30 years, his life of faith has left a strong impression on his son. Washington’s co-star Corey Hawkins explained in the interview.
“Sometimes we get talking and you see the preacher in him,” the younger actor said. “He’s just a natural-born charismatic leader who is not afraid to talk about his own faults or misgivings or shortcomings.”