Jim Caviezel is taking on two dramatically different roles in Hollywood, but behind the action sequences and biblical storytelling is a warning he believes Christians cannot afford to ignore: The battle between good and evil is real, and gaining everything this world offers means nothing if it costs someone their soul.
During a Nov. 5 interview with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN’s The World Over, the actor best known for portraying Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ” discussed his upcoming films, “Ghost Soldier” and “Zero A.D.,” revealing how spiritual warfare, the fear of God and the eternal consequences of sin continue to shape his work.
“I’ve said this before, more Christians are afraid of the devil than they are of God, and they have no idea who they’re messing with,” Caviezel said.
For Caviezel, spiritual warfare is not simply another Hollywood storyline.
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In “Ghost Soldier,” arriving in theaters Nov. 11, Caviezel portrays a former Green Beret who confronts powerful forces threatening a community. The actor explained that the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel was intentionally woven into the film, reflecting his belief that spiritual weapons are essential in confronting evil.
He also warned that the struggle extends far beyond the movie screen.
“We’re in a war over this culture right now,” Caviezel said, emphasizing the importance of prayer and the sacraments in his Catholic faith.
However, his upcoming portrayal of King Herod in “Zero A.D.,” scheduled for release on Dec. 11, brings an entirely different spiritual warning.
After portraying Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” Caviezel is now stepping into the role of a ruler whose obsession with power and control placed him in direct opposition to the birth of the Messiah.
When Arroyo asked what portraying Herod taught him, Caviezel pointed directly to one of Scripture’s most sobering warnings.
“What profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul,” he said.
Caviezel described Herod as a man consumed by power, fear and deception, unable to recognize the spiritual destruction unfolding around him.
“The devil distracts, he distracts,” Caviezel said, explaining how the pursuit of worldly desires can blind people to what matters eternally.
Reflecting on his experience portraying Jesus Christ, Caviezel said his career has become far more than entertainment. He wants the stories he tells to continue impacting lives even after he is gone.
“Everything that I do in my job is about bringing people to Jesus,” he said. “Because I love Him and I don’t deserve it. But He loves me, and I want the world to know that I love Him.”
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
