But What About Magic? What does God’s Word say about wizards and witches?

posted by Erin Davis on 05/21/08 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: Media; ; 118 comments

You gals are sharp! You are always asking questions that stretch me and challenge me to dig deeper into God’s Word. I love that about this blog! Recently one of you asked a great question about whether or not God’s Word allows us to enjoy media focused on magic and fantasy. I think this a great question, and to be honest it is one I’ve not thought much about before. Together, let’s explore this topic and see if we can dig up some Truth.  

I think our first line of defense when searching for Truth should be to dig in to the Word of God. It is always the right place to run to when you’re looking for answers. But does the Bible address magic? You bet! Let’s take a look.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says this, “ Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…”

There may be some unfamiliar terms there. Let’s break them down. The word “divination” refers to the practice of telling the future through supernatural means. We might see this in movies when someone is looking into a crystal ball or reading cards in order to predict the future. Sorcery refers to the practice of placing spells. This is what we usually refer to as magic, and you certainly can see a lot of it through mainstream media. In fact, I bet without much thought at all you can think of several television series or movies based on magic practices.

Leviticus 19:26 says clearly, “do not practice divination or sorcery.”

The verse in Deuteronomy also says that God finds it detestable for someone to be a medium. What is this verse referring to exactly? A medium is a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living—in other words, someone who talks to the dead.

Leviticus 20:6 warns, “if a person turns to mediums and wizards…I will set my face against that person."

But there’s more. In Galatians 5:19-21 witchcraft is named as one of the acts of the sinful nature. These passages also warn that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:8 lists those who practice magic among the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the idolaters and the liars.

These are strong warnings! God is obviously opposed to us practicing magic. But I doubt that many of you are casting spells or communing with the dead, though if you are tempted to experiment in this way—don’t! God’s warnings on this topic are severe! But, if God calls his people to stay away from practicing these things, should we also avoid watching them on television or in movies.

During our nationwide survey we asked about your exposure to these themes.  More than 80% of the girls we talked to had watched supernatural and spiritual themes in movies or on TV. We didn’t get the details about exactly what they were watching, but we’re guessing they’re talking about shows and movies that are based on fantasy and contain at least a little magic.

This leads us back to the question that some of you asked here on the blog. Can exposure to these themes be dangerous? We think so. In fact, we’ve learned that it’s easy to become comfortable with evil when we are exposed to it casually or repeatedly. For many of us the themes of magic, sorcery, and even communing with the dead are so common to us that we don’t think twice about their potential impact on our spiritual lives. Combine a constant stream of exposure with a lack of awareness about what you’re really watching and things can get really sticky!

What’s more, many of these plots are dark and have a tendency to dwell on death and evil. As children of God, we have the freedom to dwell in the light! A fascination with darkness is no longer fitting.

John 3:19-21 says this, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

There probably are some television programs, and movies and books that we should stay away from if we are committed to pursuing truth. Even so, I think that to say that all media that involves magic and fantasy is “bad” is painting this topic with too broad of a brush. In fact, one of the most-well known fantasy series ever is “The Chronicles of Narnia.” It was written by well-known Christian author, C.S. Lewis and contains many biblical themes.

My recommendation is to use a litmus test that applies to many areas of our Christian walk. I call it the “whatever test” and it is based on the passage Philippians 4:8.

“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

If you can honestly say that the media you’re using is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, you are probably on the right track. But steer clear of dark themes and movies, television shows and video games that portray demonic forces, witchcraft and magic in a positive way.

I’d love to hear what you think! I bet your insights will continue to stretch and impress me!

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

    Sarah
    Re:
    on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 12:59 pm
    What about Lord of the Rings. It does have a wizard who uses his powers, but would they be considered to be dealing with witchcraft? I mean, it's at an entirely different level, I don't think anyone would get intrigued with witchcraft by watching it, but...
    Beth
    The Whatever Test
    on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 5:36 pm
    Hey Everyone,
    I've tried to use the whatever test before, but I always get caught up on whatever is true. How many tv shows do I watch that is actually true? They're almost almost all fictional (Atleast the ones I watch, I'll admit it, I like Disney channel :). I don't watch the stuff that has to do with darkness, but still, the stuff I watch isn't true either. Or noble, or praiseworthy. So then what? do I watch nothing? Maybe that is the right answer...
    Abigail
    ??
    on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 7:07 pm
    what about stuff like lord of the rings and narnia?? is that bad?
    Beka
    question for you
    on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 1:48 am
    This is a hard topic for me to understand as far as watching certain types of shows.As far as watching these things on TV , like have you ever seen "Thats So Raven" or Wizards Of Waverly Place in Disney Channel"? In one show the main girl is physic and in the other show the main kids are wizards and have powers. I've always looked at these shows and thought they were harmless kid shows that had good morals and since (of course) i know that stuff is all make believe, whats wrong with watching it? Well... what you said has made me think about this stuff more! What do you think about these kinda young kid TV shows?
    confused
    howfinatical?
    on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 8:03 am
    how finatical can u go on this? i mean, cuz if you were gonna go all out and be like "i'm not gonna associate myself with anything 'magical'" then, for instance, the simple kids movie, 'the sword and the stone' would be wrong cuz it has a wizzard in it that is the good guy. so, where do you draw the line?
    courtney
    Abigail
    on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 8:06 am
    i've never seen lord of the rings, but i dont think narnia would be bad because there is a clear distinction between good and evil and good definately wins. but like, the golden compass, i think, would be totally wrong because good dies out. i think thats kinda how you determine it...
    Sarah
    Re:
    on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11:54 am
    but, like in Harry Potter, they show good people using witchcraft, and using it to fight "evil". And there are a tone of movies that have a little magic in them, so... Where DO you draw the line?
    Charisa
    Chronicles of Narnia
    on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 12:44 am
    I'm reading the entire series right now and the whole script is based off of magic.
    Is this something I should not expose myself to?
    Sarah
    re:Chronicles of Narnia
    on Monday, May 26, 2008 at 7:58 am
    well, I don't know about avoiding the Chronicles of Narnia. I mean, they are Christian books with a ton of Christian symbolism. The magic that the good guys use, comes entirely from Aslan. (God), while the magic the bad guys use comes from the white witch,or the other witches in whatever book. (I don't know if they are all the same or not, but it would make sense if they were.) So it's not each individual having his own power, it's Aslan who's sharing his power.
    Beth
    To Sarah
    on Monday, May 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
    While I totally agree that it's ok to read the Chronicles of Narnia, I'm kinda confused on your logic why. Are you saying that as long as the good people are using the magic, or as long as the magic comes from a good "person" it's ok to read?
    Sarah
    to Beth
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 10:52 am
    no, not really. The magic in the chronicles of Narnia symbolize the power in our world. (God uses His infinate power for good (obviously) because He wants everyone to be with Him in Heaven. Satan uses the power that he has to decieve people, to bring them from God.) The source of the "magic" that the good side uses is Aslan, who symbolizes Jesus in the books. Hope I cleared that one up. If I'm still unclear, tell me and I try to explain more.
    Beth
    To sarah again :)
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 4:48 pm
    So what your saying then is that the magic in Chronicles of Narnia is allegorical for God and Satan's power. Right? (correct me if I'm wrong :). Hmm, maybe that'll help us determine where to draw the line. I'm trying to think how to apply it to other books...Are the wizards and magic in The Lord of the Rings allegorical? and in what way(s)? what about other books with magic in them? I may be taking this totally the wrong direction so let me know what you're thinking...
    Sarah
    re: Beth again :)
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 5:35 pm
    Yes, that was what I was saying. In Lord of the Rings, no, the wizards and magic are not allegorical. I had thought they were, but I did some research to find out and those books are simply a story of good v. evil. That's why I'm also wondering where to draw the line, because I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy...
    Victoria
    :/
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 6:09 pm
    This is a tough one.. We are all exposed to that stuff in one form or another.. Personally I think that it is okay to watch Lord of the Rings and Narnia but we have to make sure we are mature enough spiritually and mentally to understand that all the magic and or witchcraft in it is not possible to do without Divine or demonic intervention.. I believe that God is opposed to witchcraft and magic.. Sleight of the hand stuff I don't see any harm in as long as it remains sleight of the hand. The whole witch doctor/ furtune teller thing is something very dangerous.. I believe as a Christian I should not even go near that stuff..
    The stuff in Narnia is an allegorical thing. C.S. Lewis was good at portraying Christ in a book that unbelievers would pick up.. The Lord of the Rings on the other hand might not be eczactly an allegory but it might kind of compare to Pilgrim's Progress..
    I know that as I was growing up my parents did not buy every movie that I/they liked.. There were some movies that they didn't buy because of the magic in them..like The Little Mermaid and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.. I was not allowed to watch Lord of the Rings without an adult.. I have not read or seen Harry Potter stuff and I probably never will.
    If there is a lot of magic and withcraft/sorcery then is it really worth it to watch/expose ourselves to?
    We have to be careful what we expose ourselves to because if we are not mentally and spiritually ready we might dabble where we ought not dabble and end up in big trouble.
    Jazz
    Harry Potter/ to sarah and beth
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 6:27 pm
    Okay so this is sort of two comments in one...
    1) I really like what you guys (sarah & beth) had to say. I think that the Narnia books are fine. They were written to teach children about God (kind of the opposite of the Philip Pullman books) And the magic is used as symbolism. Besides, the only characters who use magic are either ment to represent the devil/ evil or ment to represent God (Aslan)

    2) I'm also wondering about Harry Potter... What does everyone else think about that? On one hand, the books teach lessons on friendship, bravery and growing up. And it's not like they are instruction manuals on actually doing magic. I've grown up reading those books.. I've read them all countless times and I really don't want to give them up... but at the same time they show magic in a good light, they even suggest that not liking magic is bad (the additudes of Harry's Aunt & Uncle) Younger kids might even wish they were magic so they could be like Harry -adventurous, brave, and heroic. I really don't know what to think.. in the bible it just says not to practise magic,., it never says not to read about it!!
    Please tell me what you think!!!!
    Beth
    Reply to Jazz
    on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 8:20 pm
    At the end of part two of your comment you say the Bible says nothing about not reading it, just not practicing it. it does say in Eph. 5:11 "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (NIV). It's up to you how you want to interpret that. I haven't read/watched any Harry Potter, but I do have lots of Christian friends who do...what do you think?
    Jazz
    Reply to beth ;)
    on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 5:21 pm
    Yeah, Eph 5.11 could be interpreted that way... I don't know. I've never really thought anything bad about the books until a few days ago I was talking about it with a group of Christians from school and we couldn't come to a conclusion. Now I really don't know what to think... but I'm praying about it! (by the way, thanks for the verse!)
    -jazz
    Megan Liz
    Reply to Sarah (sort of)
    on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 5:12 pm
    This is a very passionate subject for me, so I have myself on a time limit. :) I think that fantasy like LotR and Narnia has a very important place in literature--because sometimes it can be "truer" than nonfiction. I've written whole articles on the importance of fantasy, but I think it's crucial to remember that just because a book includes evil doesn't mean it's an evil book. That's not the way to apply the "Whatever" test! :) Several gals said that the magic in Narnia is metaphorical--that's great, and it's true of Lord of the Rings too. For example, the evil power in LotR is sometimes called The Necromancer, and he is always spoken of with horror. Even the magic Ring of Power is seldom used and intended for destruction. Any magic that the "wizards" employ is a metaphor for spiritual intervention--or grace.

    As long as evil magic isn't glorified or shown to be attainable in the books that we read, I think they are fine. In fantasy I love to see evil shown like it REALLY is: boring, destructive, and disgusting.
    Rett
    Do not let yourselves b decived
    on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 9:04 am
    Gowing up I was allowed to watch Bewitched, I Dream of Jenni and Wizard of Oz. Sadly I did not grow up in a very strong Christain home, but mum did try to teach me about God. These shows gave my mind a place to escape, as I got older my interest grew and grew. With out soild foundation in the word of God Satan had a foot stool. Thank God I had some restraint and a disire to study before I practiced to heavly that which I was quickly learning. God intervined before I got to involved. This exprience tought me me it only takes interest and a lack of Biblical knowledge to find your self worshiping Satan. White magic, black magic ther is no difference. If you find yourself being drawn into a disire for anything the does not line up with the word of God REPENT. Your thouhts need to be where your heart and your soul should be,Loving the Lord your God.The biggest danger with the books you are discussing is the interest they can spark thay can set on fire.
    Tallulah
    Magic
    on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 2:26 pm
    I used to think that the Narnia books and The Lord of the rings were fine. That was until I read some stuff about C.S.Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien that changed my views completely. They might seem christian on the outside, but if you carefully look at some of the symbolism, you will want to stay as far away from it as possible. Lewis believed some wierd stuff. The Narnia movie has some wierd symbols in it also. For example, take the good guy, Mr Tumnus, he is actually in the form of the pagan god, Pan. Why did they do that? Who even notices? I could write a lot more about this, but I don't want to go on and on. The point I'm trying to make is this: I believe that magic comes from satan, it glorifies him. God works miracles, he doesn't need magic. Was there any mention of God in the lord of the rings? Not that I can remember. I am going to stay as far away as possible from any of these books and movies that have anything to do with magic, I really don't want to glorify satan! BTW I know it's hard to stay away from some things that we love (I for one was one of Tolkiens biggest fans!) but there ae just some things we have to give up for God.
    Lael
    Narnia.
    on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 12:04 pm
    I know I'm a little late to enter into this posting but I had this same problem right before the new Narnia movie came out. I struggled for a while...then I told my family what I was going through and my dad gave me some good words of wisdom. He said in so many words "That when movies show magic and it is glorified, meaning its shown as something good, ok to do, then its wrong. I believe that Narnia does not do that. You can see the difference between the Witch and Aslan. You see the consequences that happen to people that use magic. Most of the ones who do, end up dead The ones who have the "powers" are bad." I hope I made myself clear. To me Narnia is a wonderful series of books. I like seeing the difference between good and evil. Harry Potter books...a big NO!!! Lord of the Rings, I really never saw the whole spiritual side of the movies so...I think its up to parents. Mine say no.
    chloe
    Magic
    on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 10:35 am
    There's this show called Charmed. I wanted to ask if there are certain types of magic that are not considerd witchcraft. in this show, three witches battle evil witches and warlocks to keep the world as it should be. they can't use their magic for evil or personal gain. Is that a bad show to watch if it is depicting magic in a positive light?
    Jasmine
    Magic
    on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 6:22 pm
    my friends said that harry potter was "OK" because there was good magic and bad magic. i disagreed but watched one of the movies to see what they were all talking about. harry potter posts witchcraft and sorcery as being good and that is soooo not God. another thing is Lord of the Rings. I've never liked those movies yet many christian familyies like them. i think that they r some what similar to harry potter and i prefer to not watch them at all. narnia is fantisy and very injoyable i am stumped as to if it is acceptable to watch or not.
    Bridgette
    So, I was thinking......
    on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 5:48 pm
    Just out of wonderment, what do you all think about the sword in the stone, and cinderella, and sleeping beauty, and snow white and the 7 dwarfs, etc... are they all bad, they make magic look good and all, so, just putting that out there:)
    kailey
    ummmm
    on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 4:30 pm
    my freind is convinced that there is nothing wrong with movies like hairy potter and lotr and stuff that puts witchcraft and sorcery as a good things. Her defense is always, "its just the same as superheroes, they are both not true and there are bad people in both groups. I have tried to explain to her the difference but she doesn't listen or understand. now she has me questioning superpowers in movies like sky high. How do i convince her witchcraft is bad and is sky high right
    Sarah
    re:
    on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 1:20 pm
    Yeah, but there is a difference. Superheroes are imaginary, but witchcraft is real! It CAN be done, and we have to protect ourselves from it, by not exposing ourselves to movies (or books...) I have to admit, though, I have seen LOTR and loved it, but I am not absolutely sure about it. It did not stir any interest in me at all towards...that, and I don't see it in the same light as Harry Potter, where it is obviously glorifying evil, but...ergh, it's all so confusing. What is ok, what ain't!?!
    kate12
    help...i am confused!
    on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2:27 pm
    if magic and other stuff like palm reading and gazing into the future and talking with the dead are bad and we shouldnt watch them then their would be like no movies or shows that are k! if you just watch it to feed your imagination i think that should be okay! dont do it for stuff like wanting to learn witch craft or have evil powers! Some tv shows have witches that fight evil and are good...is that still bad? i AM REALLY CONFUSED BECAUSE .... some people say its okay and others say its not...we cant even come to an agreement with our youth group! God says the people who turn to mediums and speak to the dead will be cutt off from their people but i dont think i am turning to it...i just want to watch something interesting!
    Faith
    Re:
    on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 9:17 pm
    That is a good point. Things like that CAN be interesting. And I think it's ok up to the point where that's what your mind is dwelling on. I read the first Harry Potter book, and had to stop, because it was taking over my mind. And all I could think about was the characters in it.

    My answer would be, that if it's addicting you stop. Otherwise, use discretion as you watch/read it. And know that it's not real.
    Amelia
    Playing off Sarah's comment
    on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:27 pm
    I think you have a piont. I mean, some people say Harry Potter is way bad, but in the same breath love love love Lord of the Rings and Gandalf. If we say that Harry Potter and the wizerdry there is bad then why isn't Gandalf the Gray, or the Dragon Riders in Eragon, or even the Jedi, who use the "Force" and worship it?
    Faith
    Another Comment
    on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
    One thing that might make Harry Potter less exceptable, is also that you never know where the magic comes from.

    In Eragon, it comes from dragons. In Lord of the Rings it comes from Eru, who is the God figure, In Star Wars it comes from little organisms in the blood of all living things, but in Harry Potter that force is unspecified, and can be any demonic power you want.
    Beth
    Adding to Faith's Comment
    on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 10:31 pm
    hey, so I really liked what you had to say about the differences of LOTR and Harry Potter. I got really interested on this topic and have asked my friends about it after discussing it on here. I'm still not sure where I stand on this topic but here is what I found online and most of my friends agree. So I thought I'd share it with you all. So the main thing that it said was that Harry Potter is based in the real world with real people doing the magic while LOTR and Narnia are mythical creatures in an imaginary world. Like I said, I'm not sure what I think but it seems more logical. It seems like magic done in the real world as people would be more enticing to actually do magic then the other scenario. So what do you guys think?
    Sarah
    re:Beth
    on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 2:16 pm
    exactly what I think! I didn't know how to say it, but yeah, that is it.
    sarah beth
    media
    on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 6:14 pm
    satan has been using the media for a long time to get his lies out to the world.it is becoming confusing to know where to draw the line because magic and witches have been a part of movies and books for a long time. lots of movies today make magic look fun and inviting.we need to stay away from stuff that points directly to the devil. the best thing we can do to find our boundaries is to pray and ask god for his input.
    Belle
    Re: Harry Potter
    on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 3:04 pm
    Yes, the books are about magic, but they are much more about staying away from evil and doing the thing that is right.
    Harry Potter promotes a lot of things that the Bible teaches, like good over evil.

    In the same way that C.S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia" promotes Christianity Harry Potter does. It might not have been written to do that, but it does. Harry sacrifices himself to set others free (hmm where have I heard that before). I'm not saying he's like Jesus, because Harry is flawed and Jesus is not, but I am trying to say that there are so many GOOD things in Harry Potter.
    Bridgette
    Beth
    on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 12:15 pm
    Hey, I am not trying to put you down or anything, but The Golden Compass takes place in an alternate world, and yet it is still bad, so i don't think that your rule is the best to go by. (I am not trying to be mean, i am just telling you the facts:) )
    Petra
    thi magic thing!!!!!!
    on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 6:08 pm
    I just started reading this book (wonderful by the way) and ther is a lot of confusion in my head wit this whole magic thing. All I know is that practicing it it is wrong and the whole idea of a 'good witch' is too. as some of the other girls said it is hard to know where to draw the line between what we can watch on tv because as someone said before the magic thing has a big influence on media.I guess the only solution is ask God!!!!!
    Petra
    this whole conversation
    on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 6:28 pm
    first i would like to excuse my spelling and punctuation :) ok now i personally think that the chronicles of narnia is not a bad series to read. first because of the author. wasnt c.s. lewis a christian at that time. second i really don't think that God would allow an author who claimed to be saved realy write something that would mislead children on the whole topic of this magic witchcraft thing. but then again im not so sure on theses things!
    the whole harry potter thing i personally believe that that book and the movies are not right. not to diss j.k. rowlwing's work but the whole thing about withcraft being alright sounds not right to me!!!! my mother never let me watch the movie or read the books and i personaally don't wish to because its just not my kind of book!!!!!
    Gabriella
    Confused!!!
    on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 2:41 pm
    I'm completly confused so I think I'll just aviod the problem completely!!! I'll just not watch or read anythin that has2do w/magic!!! 2dles!!!
    Ellie
    Magic
    on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 8:42 am
    I dont get how things in the bible are not magic to like turnig water into wine or taking a little girl from being dead to alive aggain or making the blind see???? so what is magic and what is not???
    Tallulah
    To Ellie
    on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 6:17 pm
    In the bible Jesus performed miracles, not magic. God has the power to heal us because he is the creater. He doesn't use magic! All He has to do is say the word. And it's not just in the bible that miracles happen, they happen today too! I have personally witnessed many miracles. God healed my sisters epilepsy and my grandmas eye sight, and the doctors had no other explanation!!! Let me tell you a TRUE story.

    There was a man, and he had no feet. Where his feet should be, he had stumps. Someone told him about this man who could heal people. The man agreed to talk to him. He told him to go to the store the next day, and buy some shoes. The man thought that was a little strange, but he went anyway. What did he have to lose? He went in and the assistent asked him what he needed, and the man told him that he wanted to buy some shoes. The assistent asked him what size. He just told him the size that he thought would be nice to have, 9 1/2. The assistent brought out the shoes, and the man took one and put it on his stump. A foot appeared! He put the other one on and the same thing happened! He walked out of that shoe store with feet, size 9 1/2.

    That was a TRUE story. God works through people. He performs miracles, not magic. There is a difference.
    Last Edit: on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 2:43pm by edavis  
    Amelia
    To sarah
    on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 9:48 pm
    Okay. So take Gandalf. he is a wizard. Soo, the entire land of the
    Lord of the Rings books in fill full of magic. That is just the way the land is. The land can't help being magical w\ wizards and stuff, it just is. I think it is okay to read. Trying to be a wizard for real is a no no, but reading is ok. Just don't let it take over. I really enjoy fantasy and stuff, but I don't go around trying to use the magic in the books. The magic is within the pages and stays within the pages, where it belongs.
    Madeline15
    good and tough topic!
    on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 12:13 pm
    this has been a very tough topic for me, because i like to read a lot of fantasy, like LOTR, Pendragon, the Inheritance series, Harry Potter, The lost years of merlin, etc etc. I had a discussion about this with my pastor too! He loves Harry Potter and can even make connections with Harry Potter to God. It was really neat talking about this with him and his wife. I agree that as long as we don't practice magic, or try to that we can read it. However, i often discover that, after reading so many books with magic as a common thing, that i would want to be like that.. ya know? that sounds wierd, but i guess its because we always want something that we dont have. I dont know. does anyone else think that too??
    Bridgette
    Stuff
    on Friday, July 4, 2008 at 12:12 pm
    I just want to say that there is a certain show on a certain channel about three teen-aged wizards and their family and they use magic a lot and my brothers and I used to watch that show all the time. So after reading this blog, I decided that we shouldn't watch it anymore. So my brother went to turn it on and I said, "Nope we will not watch that. It is against the Lord." So he turned it off! I know this may not be surprising to all of you but usually my brother does the opposite of what I tell him to do just to make me mad, but this time he just listened. I was amazed. It just goes to show that the Lord is with you everywhere.
    Shellibean
    words vs truth
    on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 6:58 pm
    You ladies are doing a wonderful job sorting all of this out. The important thing to remember is to keep seeking answers from God.

    I do have a comparision to make on the overall good themes from these movies and books in question. Would it be okay for me to go to a psychic for entertainment? I mean as long as I went knowing it wasn't real, I didn't practice it myself, or let it trick me. That is what alot of you have suggested to do with Harry Potter and LOTR. Sometimes the line is drawn in a place we do not want to go, because we have to give something up. The reward will always outweigh the sacrafice.

    Another observation is the amount of hours that these books, movies, and trilogies consume and in many cases over and over! LOTR is almost 4 hours long. What if all of that time and energy were directed to the Scriptures. I would be willing to assume we might not be so confused on where to draw the line.

    Keep asking questions, keep seeking the Truth. "you will know the truth and the truth will make you free" John 8:32
    elisabeth
    Agreement with Tallulah
    on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 3:53 pm
    I know of a gal tht read harry potter books a lot, and when she was at her cabin she was looking down the hill and thought tht she saw one of the evil charactors. i tried to get her to get out of reading those books, but like some gals are saying on this blog, she couldn't giveit up. She got more and more terrified at the charactors, but by the end of the year, i couldn't go to the same school she was at, so i couldn't help her anymore.I still don't know what happened to her.i'm not saying that's what's going to happen to any of you, but i don't think that book is the best thing to read either. Like Tallulah said, if you have God, and all the wonderful things that he can do, you don't need magic.
    God Bless! :) elisabeth
    Jen
    Disney
    on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 11:48 pm
    Beka's right. I've read the entire Harry Potter series, at first to get more 'points' on a reading program for school, but then just because, sadly, I enjoyed it. Even Harry Potter, where the theme is supposed to be love, it is depicted entirely wrong with the use of witchcraft, wizardry, and they actually attend a class in divination! I used to defend the thought that Harry Potter wasn't against the Bible, after all, it's just a book, right? But recently it hit me: Who hasn't read Harry Potter, watched Wizards of Waverly Place or That's So Raven and secretly wished, deep down, that they could become a wizard or physic? Although a lot of us say "It's not like I'll actually ________[write sin there]!" However, it's not so much that we choose not to as that we can't. I used to play wizard duel with my Christian cousin, and he'd make "wands" out of twigs and a knife! At the time, I didn't realize that what I was doing was wrong, but it was. I'm glad this has been brought up, because what seems so innocent [what Disney's known for] isn't okay. Don't watch those shows. Don't let your little sibs watch those shows. Listen to Christian music instead, read your Bible, just something that's positive! [Also, now I watch Hannah Montana for Selena Gomez. It's hard because I'm guessing most of those actors call themselves Christians and don't realize that what they're doing is wrong. That's So Raven is known for a long running period, and re-runs are still popular. In all the seasons it ran, few ,if any Christians realized, or spoke up about the wrong being brought into innocent children's lives. It's websites like these (*thank you!) that bring awarness to these issues. We are the next generation. If we're the next Disney C.E.O's, we can control and filter what the next generation sees! We just need to ask God to lead our lives, for His Will to be done. His Will is great!
    Bridgette
    Narnia
    on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 8:04 pm
    This is kinda hard to say, but, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy don't have powers. Aslan, that i remember, does have them but they are similar to the miracles that Jesus performed, like breathing on dead people to bring them back to life or rising from the dead. The witch def. had powers. oh, and Tallulah, yes, tumnus is a form of that pagan god, but, if you recall, he was bad in the begining and was, in a way, saved, if you get what I mean. So all in all, I think Narnia is OK.
    Bethany
    In reply to Jazz
    on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:22 pm
    the Harry Potter series does have lessons about friendship and growing up and bravery, but i don't think it is the kind lessons that God would have us follow. good deeds aren't what get us to heaven, so allthough Harry may be brave and appear a "nice guy" (which he doesn't always...he does an awful lot of swearing), that doesn't make him a GODLY guy. in fact, we know that there is really nothing Godly in that book. and the whole part at the end of the last book where Harry is dead but not really dead and can be alive again is pushing it, if the rest of the series wasn't.
    Bethany
    Re:good and tough topic!
    on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:30 pm
    i think it's a little dangerous to compare Harry Potter with Christianity, especialy because it was not written by a Christian or written to be Christian in any way (unlike Narnia). i think maybe whats already given to us in the Bible is enough to use to learn about God.
    Meghan
    Re: Harry Potter
    on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 7:14 pm
    Hey! I have never read any Harry Potter books, but I am not allowed to. My mom says that there's too much dark magic, and evil and things. I mean, it may have a good message about being responsible and all, but I agree, it sure wasn't meant to be encouragement for young Christians, pursuing answers. Personally, some of my friends who are obsessed with Harry Potter have gotten a little screwed up in the head. Some swear that they really can cast spells and all.
    Amelia
    to meghan
    on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 10:36 pm
    Well, Harry Potter's message, from my view, isn't trying to tell christians it's ok to do magic. In the book, you are either born with the ability to do magic, or you aren't. If you aren't, well then, you can't. If you are, you will do magic even without trying, and it is uncontroled. The point of the school is to control your power and to keep it hidden from the normal world. If people think they can do spell as a result, I think they went beyond what was written in the pages.

    Yeah, it is a bit dark toward the end of the series, but it does have some really good stuff. It stresses the importance of family, and good friends, and not giving into a darker nature. Also, I doesn't have a lot of that new, gushy love\breakup stuff. Basicly, their first or second relationship, is the person they eventully marry.

    Every family has the right to view these books as they wish too, but if you really want books to turn people away from Christanity, look to the golden compass. Now that's just an evil book.
    Haley
    But what about...
    on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
    Isn't Lord of The Rings and Narnia different though? I mean in Narnia the White Whitch is viewed as the evil in the story so I thought that Narnia would be ok to watch.As for Lord of The Rings that evil white wizard guy really is the only one that uses magic except for Gandalf but he's a good guy. But wouldn;t those be ok?
    kaylee
    magic
    on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 10:40 am
    I think that the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the RIngs is alright because of the symbolism they represent. Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien converted C.S. Lewis? Tolkien was a devout roman catholic and Lewis attended the church of england. They were both very close friends and would often exchange ideas. I would suggest reading "Finding God in the Land of Narinia"by Kurt Bruner and "Finding God in Lord of the RIngs" by Kurt Bruner
    to Amelia
    Bethany
    on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 5:46 pm
    i dont think that the fact that you're either born with it (magic) or you're not makes any difference. the point is that it says that practicing it is okay. no one really thinks (unless they are whack) that because harry potter can cast a spell, they can. real witch craft is calling upon the power of satan, so i guess anything that glroifys it, even a "pure" use of it isn't good.
    Katie
    What if....
    on Friday, August 29, 2008 at 5:49 pm
    What if when you watch Wizards of Waverly Place and you don't feel the need to be a wizard or cast spells on that one person that you want to get back at? You just watch the show for your favorite stars and humor rather than searching for magic and satan related activities?
    phylicia
    Re:
    on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 10:32 am
    If a movie is christian based there you will find the presence of God.If it is not christian based what other presence is left but satan.Satan cannot come against santan.What looks like good over evil is the old pagon belief.To symbolize evil on halloween is one thing, but to think any good can come from its power is another.I believe that both"The Chronicles of Narnia", and ''Lord of the Rings Trilogy'' are Christian based.


    Who's presence do you seek?
    Erin Davis
    Phylicia
    on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm
    Hi there! Thanks for stopping by our blog!

    I think you make some good points, but I can't help but think it isn't this black and white. What makes a movie/book Christian based? Is it just that the author is a Christian? If so, does that mean that everything written/produced/said by Christians is right and okay to dwell on?

    I think that Satan is very crafty in this area. And I am not sure that it is fair to say that we can find the presence of God in a movie, even a Christian one.

    What do you think?

    Erin Davis
    Britta
    Twilight and other famous fantasies
    on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 12:24 am
    First of all, I'd like to respond to Erin's comment that I feel I have an answer for:
    --Erin Davis: What makes a books Christian-based, in my opinion, is the spirit and purpose of the writing. CS Lewis conveys, essentially, the gospel message through a story in which Aslan (symbolizing God) sacrifices himself for Edmund, who made a horrid decision that ultimitely would have lead to a deserved death. Edmund symbolizes the sinner; he turned away from the path God had set for him for earthly pleasures (Turkish Delight). Aslan offers himself and dies in the place of Edmund, just as Christ died for us.

    I'm a HUGE reader. I read every book that passes through my hands. My favorite genre, maybe not so fortunately, is fantasy, modern fantasy in particular.

    The biggest modern fantasy books out there are the Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling and the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. They are both HUGELY popular.

    In case you haven't noticed, the biggest victim for screaming teenage girls lately is the enormously famous Edward Cullen (sorry but he's overrated) from Twilight. He is a vampire, but he and his family are "vegetarian" vampires; that is, they have pledged to eat animal meat instead of hunting humans. Most of the Saga is about Edward's relationship with the human Bella, who narrates the stories. They fall in love and the humble and heroic Edward has to continually save the clumsy Bella from near-death situations with other "non-vegetarian" vampires, werewolves, and more.

    Sounds cheesy, right? But they're actually really well-written books! And the story is phenomenal aswell.

    Stephenie Meyer, the author, is mormon. And I don't know if the mormon church has a problem with her writing vampire romances, but doesn't that seem a bit strange? But here's the thing: in the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, there are multiple sex scenes. It's pretty much literary porn.

    So the moral of this story is that the author's religion shouldn't determine whether the book is moral. Because quite frankly, vampires, werewolves, and inter-fictional-species sexual relationships are generally not considered moral, let alone Christian-based.

    I do have some questions though:
    --I'm not going to stop reading and loving Harry Potter and [most of, minus the innapropriateness] the Twilight Saga. Not happening. But is that sin? Reading "definitely-not-Christian-based-filled-with-magic-and--wizardry-and-vampires" books?
    --If we pray and ask/trust God to protect our minds from being too influenced by books like these, is it okay to read them?

    Wow. Long Post.

    But if you get this far, THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING =D

    Love,
    Britta
    jordynne
    twilight
    on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 1:30 pm
    ive been thinking about the twilight series the whole time i was reading this post & it got brought up in the last comment. i havent read these books but a lot of ppl at my school are starting to. ive heard lots of good & bad. ok so why exactly are vampires evil? im not trying 2 start an argument, i honestly dont know. are they associated w/ witchcraft or something? i mean obviously you shouldnt suck ppl's blood, but i thought vampires are just fiction. so are these books good or bad? i dont really like reading that much so im probably not gonna read them anyway, but my good friend just got the 1st one & i wanna warn him if they are bad especially if theres sex scenes in the 4th one like britta said.
    ashley
    to Britta
    on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 9:06 pm
    I believe the Bible gives a very clear answer to your last question. Never in the Bible does God tell us to be careful around things we are tempted with or to pray for Him to help us not sin while we are being tempted. He tells us very simply to "flee temptation", to "flee all appearance of evil", and to "guard our hearts". (I'm not sure of all the references for the verses listed above.) I personally believe that God tells us the best thing to do is to stay away from anything that has to do with magic, sorcery, or inter-species relationships.
    Erin Davis
    Britta
    on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 1:59 pm
    Thanks for stopping by LYWB.com. I think you bring up some interesting questions. I want to answer your question about whether continuing to read Harry Potter and Twillight is a sin using scripture. Afterall, God's Word is the plum by which we should measure our hearts and actions.

    Deuteronomy 18:1012, Leviticus 20:6, and Galatians 5:19-21 all tell is to stay away from sorcery, mediums, those who commune with the dead, fortune telling, divination, and interpreting omens. In fact, Deuteronomy calls these things an abomination (detestable) to the Lord.In Leviticus the Lord promises to set His face against people who do those things. In Galatians, these things are listed among the works of the flesh.

    In other words...God is serious about us staying away from them. Now, I realize you aren't practicing witchcraft, sorcery or magic. But if God's Word makes it so clear that He hates these things, is it really worth it to spend your time reading about them and watching them in television or movies? Is it possible that doing so will cause you to become desensitized to something that God is very serious about?

    There are a couple of other principles that I try to apply to all areas of my life. I call the first one the whatever principle. It is based on Philippians 4:8 which says, " Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

    Are the books you're reading true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy? Would your parents or youth pastor think so.

    The second standard I often use when making decisions like this can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:23. It says, " everything is permissible--but not everything is beneficial."

    Sure, it's possible to serve God and read these books. That means it is permissible. But is it beneficial? Does it actually enhance your spiritual life?

    As I was thinking through how to answer you, James 4:17 came to mind. It says, Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." I think if you are feeling the tugging of the Holy Spirit convicting you that these things might not be okay, and you can see that confirmed in Scripture and you still choose to read them..that probably is sinful.

    I also think that Ashley gave you some great advice. She's right, the Bible does tell us to flee from evil. Trying to read these books and hope that God protects your mind seems a bit like seeing how close to the line of evil you can get without going over. I think a better approach is to run in the opposite direction.

    This is a lot to digest. What do you think?

    Erin Davis
    Melody
    Twilight
    on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 1:43 pm
    A friend of mine told me about this book and this blog, and I am so excited that there is such fantastic conversation happening! It is truly encouraging to read such truth and such great questions!
    I have some comments, some things that have helped me recently, to deal with media, books and movies in particular. I recently fell victim to the "Twilight" saga. It charmed its way into my heart and mind and has been difficult to get rid of. God is so good, though! He is truly the great Redeemer! The most important revelation I made was that media tends to be charming, not blatantly threatening. Proverbs 31:30 has meant a lot to me; charm IS deceitful. It slithers its way in, undetected until it is too late. We must always be on our guard to fight off the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-20).
    When I began reading the saga, I thought, "I can handle this. I'll just read it, and I'll be fine." This is a lie. I put myself in a situation that turned detrimental to my heart and mind in the end. Another passage of Scripture that has meant a lot to me is Proverbs 7. The young man in the passage knew where the harlot resided yet he went there anyway. Why, I'm not sure, but she ended up snaring him. This became a principle I like to call "don't walk by the harlot's corner." Don't even go to places where evil resides, like reading or watching things that are not glorifying or pleasing to God. It is hard, but is so worth it in the end. The eternal value is beyond measure!
    Erin Davis
    Melody
    on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 2:04 pm
    What great insights! Would you mind posting these thoughts under one of the more recent posts about "Twilight?" I think you make some great points and I want the girls who are following that conversation to hear them. I am not sure they will read this older post...

    Thanks!

    Erin Davis
    Amber
    MY MOMS DRIVING ME NUTS
    on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 12:19 pm
    ok soo....my mom put this as one of our shourtcuts on the desktop! so shes getting all in god stuff, shes being a BIG christain and its kinda makeing me mad that she wont let me watch 'wizards of waverly place' Its on disney channel and ITS JUST GRAGHICS ON TV MADE WITH COMPUTERS!! & she tells me that deamons will come out of the tv im like what the heck!
    Erin Davis
    Amber
    on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 3:47 pm
    I'm glad you stopped by LYWB.com. Your mom's actions may seem extreme, but the truth is she has good reason to protect you from shows where magic or witchcraft are portrayed in a casual way.

    I'm wondering if you are a Christian? If not, I am sure your mom's rules don't make much sense, since they are based in Truth from God's Word.

    Do you understand what it means to be a Christian? Does God's Word have meaning for you?

    I would love to talk more about this if you're interested. Just keep commenting here on the blog and I will do my best to respond.

    Thanks!

    Erin Davis
    Sarah H.
    OMG! HELP!
    on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 7:29 pm
    I am a book lovr and i seriosly need 2 know how far is 2 far as far as magic goes... and what about si-fi? cause i am writing a si-fi novel... and wut on earth does the bible say as far as magic goes?!
    Sarah H.
    Umm...
    on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 7:38 pm
    I am a totall book luvr and i love fantasy... esspecailly the sisters grimm series. i know witchcraft is bad, but wut about like fairytales? And si-fi?
    also, i am writing a si-fi novel, and i really want 2 put some christian values in it, but ii don't know how... any ideas? Tx
    erin
    magic, twilight and witches oh my
    on Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 9:04 pm
    my mom and i talked about this and she and i both agreed that if its a fun family show/movie that isn't trying to be dark and spooky with magic it can be ok. like bewitched the old tv show or i think wizards of waverly place is ok. kinda stupid but ok. tell me what you think. p.s. the c.s. lewis and j.r.r. tolkien books are good and both men were christians*
    Sarah H.
    to erin
    on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 5:55 pm
    j.r.r tolkien is a girl :)
    Erin Davis
    Sarah H.
    on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 7:13 pm
    Thanks for stopping by lywb.com.

    Actually J.R.R. Tolkien was a man. He is most famous for writing the Lord of the Rings series. Perhaps you are thinking of J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter. In which case, you're right--she is a girl.

    Erin
    Deborah
    PLEASE!!!!!
    on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 9:08 pm
    Look, i realize that many of you girls may think that u are hurting yourselves by watching Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Narnia, Wizards of Waverly Place etc., but let's face it have any of you actually thought...BOY i want to be a wizard when i grow up! I think that their is NOTHING wrong with watching these movies or shows, they all teach great values and wonderful lessons. Many of you-from the posts I have read-seem a little up tight about this issue, you are thinking about it WAY TOO hard! Yes God hates witchcraft, but none of the above said movies contain witchcraft (although i suppose that some of you may think that Harry Potter does I personally don't). Please, stop focusing all your attention on the wizards or the "magic" - particularly in Wizards of Waverly Place-come on! it's a stupid KIDS show! Nothing wrong with that! Focus instead on the messages, the truths, the lessons...why scrap an entire movie because of one character-like Gandalf in LOTR, or the witch in Narnia do supposed witchcraft?-I really don't understand that! And i read one post where a girl said that Tolkien and Lewis were like bad ppl or something!!!! FYI i wrote an entire like 15 page paper on Tolkien and LOTR and trust me, he was a fine man and a STRONG Christin!!!!! Plus how can we judge someone that wasn't even alive when we were? People can say ANYTHING they want to on websites about him!!! And most the ppl who say bad stuff about Tolkien hate his work. I'm focusing many on Tolkien because, first off i know a lot about him, and secondly I absolutely LOVE his books....Works of GENIUS!!!! so take some time out of your day and read them!!!! The movies are great too might i add, but if u r not allowed to watch them then at least read the books....ok well i'm done venting....but please ppl, this topic seems a bit old doesn't it? (Especially the Wizards of Waverly Place thing i'm still laughing about that :) )
    krlosier
    Disney Movies Too?
    on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:14 pm
    How about Disney movies? I mean like almost all the movies have magic and stuff, and if God forbids us to stay away from all witchcraft, magic, and things like that, then wouldn't movies even just like Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, or Snow White be included? Or what if it doesn't seem to affect you in anyway? Me and my friend have been discussing this topic for awhile now, and we can't seem to wuite figure it out. Could somebody please help me? Thanks!
    krlosier
    please help
    on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 4:06 pm
    does anyone know the answer to my question? if so. can you please help?
    Erin Davis
    krlosier
    on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:04 pm
    Here is my standard for this type of thing.

    If the movie portrays magic and darkness (such as witches, werewolves etc.) as bad and harmful, then often I give myself the green light to see watch them if all other content is okay (such as no swearing, no nudity, no sexual content etc.) .

    I think where we can get into trouble is when we are watching something where magic is portrayed as harmless or appealing (such as Harry Potter or Twilight).

    The theme of good verses evil is so common in movies that it is nearly impossible to avoid. This is almost always one of the underlying themes of Disney movies. But magic is almost always portrayed as something used by the "bad guy" such as the witch in Cinderella, Little Mermaid and Snow White. This is an accurate portrayal of magic. It is in fact evil.

    But stay away from Disney programs such as "The Wizards of Waverly Place" where magic is portrayed as harmless.

    Make sense?

    Erin
    Jess McElyea
    Disney movies too?
    on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 4:32 pm
    I have to comment, though. In Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, are there not also charactors portraying good magic- The Fairy godmother, and King Triton? How does your rule apply there?
    I am writing a research paper on whther or not reading Harry Potter is acceptable for Christians, and I have hit this block myself. The Harry Potter books follow the basic guidelines for a fairytale. If many Christians react so violently to Harry Potter books, why don't they react to disney films as well? I must say, that personally, after reading the Harry Potter novels, I did not believe that I could be a witch, and make things fly around a room (without throwing them), but when I was younger, I did believe that I could grow up to be a princess, or a mermaid, or a fairy. Most little girls did. So doesnt that mean that Disney films could be potentially more harmfull than Harry Potter? After all, we are reading them when we are older, and hold a firmer knowledge in our beliefs...
    Erin Davis
    Jess
    on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 4:37 pm
    You make a great point. You've got me thinking...

    To tell you the truth I am a little stumped. Maybe we should ditch these movies too.

    I try to apply the 1 Corinthians 6:12 principle to my media choices. That verse says "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial."

    Disney movies may be "permissible" by God's standards, but are they beneficial? I would say probably not. What do you think?

    Erin Davis
    Sadie
    my opinion
    on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:57 pm
    my personal opinion is that u can't generalize movies or shows or books that contain magic and say u can't watch these but u can watch those. i think that it's everyone's personal opinion as to if they will or won't watch those types of movies.
    You can't sit there and tell ppl what to do in these types of topics-kinda like how u can't just say i believe that girls should wear skirts so everyone "START WEARING SKIRTS!!!" I think that topics like this are just personal opinions.
    i've personally never seen ANY thing harmful with Disney movies or the Harry Potter books or LOTR or anything like that-i mean i'm def going to let my little girls when i get married watch Cinderella-and watch Disney Channel--i doubt it will harm them in anyway in fact it will probably help them--
    two little boys that i babysit that are 7 and 10 watch Nickelodeon and Disney ALL the time and i personally know they learn a lot from them...
    i don't know i just think u can't tell ppl what is wrong and right with these things-they r just personal opinions-that's why i'm not going to freak out if u personally believe u don't want to watch Disney-but i have no problem with it...
    krlosier
    to Jess and Erin
    on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 9:37 pm
    Thanks!
    Jess and I and rgjo777 all go to the same school, and Jess and I have had this conversation before. Jess, remember when you said that you have thought about trying before, like contacting people or animals with your mind? Well, where do you think you got that from though? A movie or book like Harry Potter. Isn't having thoughts like that worse than believing you can be a fairy?

    And Erin, Are you saying that if something isn't benficial than we shouldn't watch it or do it? Because that would mean that watching most movies or media related stuff we shouldn't do. I know that like there are better things we can be doing with our time, so it is ptobably a waste of time, so is that still wrong? I guess it kinda seems that way....And can Disney Movies like that really hamr you? I certainly agree with you that we shouldn't be reading Harry Potter and Twilight, but what really is the difference between that and Disney movies? Both have magic in a way thatlooks harmless or appealing... hmmm.. well thank you for replying to me! You always answer my questions so fast Erin!
    Jess Mcelyea
    to eDavis
    on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 12:21 pm
    So does this verse mean that we should give up everything- movies, books, t.v., music, art, and all froms of media and entertainment- that aren't beneficial?
    krlosier
    HMMM
    on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 8:43 pm
    That's a good question...Jess and I worked on this in our study hall, and discussed this. (we go to a teeny tiny Christian school =) ) Hmmmm...Does the Bible say anything about if it's not beneficial, then give it up? Then is there any point of any kind of entertainment? hmmmm.... :-)
    JR
    Magic and Interpretation.
    on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 11:14 pm
    I believe the real danger here is becoming attached to something that isnt beneficial. Drawing the line between Man's World, and Gods can become increasingly difficult when we become attached to mans world. literature is nice, but is it worth your soul to read. Cronicles of Narnia made a good book and Movie. But if it's steering you in the wrong direction; or exposing you to the wrong element. Is it worth risking your salvation. I don't remember the exact verse or chapter. But I remember this from the bible.. If your eye causes you to sin, It is better to cut it out and go to heaven, than to send your whole soul to hell. I agree it's not right to throw the baby out with the bath water, sorta speak.. But until I get devine knowledge from God. Everything Magic, Witchcraft, and Wizard, Related stays off my movie shelf, and my book case..
    I Originaly looked at this page to find a place to find out about Superheroe's. What part of the equation do they fit in. And then weather or not I answered my own question.
    Sierra
    Hey
    on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 11:49 am
    Ok so this means that we cant watch Harry Potter or Twilight anymore god doesnt want us to do that but im confused because they are fighting against the evil so y is it bad?????
    KK
    My thoughts
    on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 5:57 pm
    Ok. I am a huge LOTR fan and a huge Narnia fan. Here is what I think. Narnia has obvious parallels. Aslan\God, W.Witch\Satan, Aslan's sacrifice for Edmund\Jesus' sacrifice for us. It is full of Christian parallels. LOTR on the other hand does not have all those parallels. But keep in mind, Tolkien did not write these books to be Christian based. He wrote them simply for reading pleasure. So no there is not going to be a lot of parallels. Why Tolkien didn't choose to put christian themes into these books I don't know. He was a Christian. Also because Gandalf is a witch and uses magic he would be evil in God's eyes. (which might bring you back to the whole Narnia thing, Is Aslan considered evil? I don't think so. But some one smarter than me will have to answer that one.) I think LOTR is fine to watch and enjoy as long as we keep in mind that the Lord despises witchcraft and spells and that stuff. We need to be aware of that.
    Heather
    Re:
    on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 10:17 am
    Okay, new conclusion:

    Read whatever you want! But when you feel like you're getting too attached, completely cut yourself off. So read that HP, LOTR, Disney, and Twilight! Just stop when your heart says stop.

    Just like eating =] Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. - Read whatever, whenever and stop when you lose sense of reality.

    Dumb analogy? Maybe... hahaha ={P
    JT
    Personal Convictions
    on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 6:54 pm
    Interesting Thoughts. Just remember that these are personal convictions and not laws. Scripture is not clear here and we need to listen carefully to how the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts without condemning others or judging.

    I actually think that Harry Potter ended up with an amazing Christ analogy. Harry Potter sacrificing his life to save his friends--and then coming back alive to conquer the evil of Voldemort.

    Twilight has some questionable language and sensual scenes--but, ultimately Bella waits until she is married to have sex and questions why people would have sex outside the security of marriage. Moreover, the Cullens practice a life of self-disciple and self-control over the evil desires inside them because it is the right thing to do. Sacrificing their personal appetites and happiness for the good of others.

    This sounds pretty excellent and praise worthy to me... It is pretty rare in our culture to encourage self-control and waiting til marriage to have sex. On the other hand, some of the language in the Twilight books and scenes makes it a little more questionable...

    I think the real question is deeper--does this book/tv show/movie distract me from God and godliness? What happens to my thoughts when I am watching, reading these things? If I am encouraged to live a life of excellence--self-control, self-sacrifice, goodness, and the pursuit of the universal truths of moral excellance than I think it is OK. This is personal and requires wisdom. If you doubt it is good for you--avoid it. It is better to cut it out of your life that for it to be sin. But, if you aren't convicted and there aren't any obvious moral issues--(such as portraying immoral behavior as good, cussing, sex...) than feel free to thank God for it. This is another good test of your conscience--if you can thank God for it.
    JT
    Personal Convictions
    on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 8:16 pm
    Interesting Thoughts. Just remember that these are personal convictions and not laws. Scripture is not clear here and we need to listen carefully to how the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts without condemning others or judging.

    I actually think that Harry Potter ended up with an amazing Christ analogy. Harry Potter sacrificing his life to save his friends--and then coming back alive to conquer the evil of Voldemort.

    Twilight has some questionable language and sensual scenes--but, ultimately Bella waits until she is married to have sex and questions why people would have sex outside the security of marriage. Moreover, the Cullens practice a life of self-disciple and self-control over the evil desires inside them because it is the right thing to do. Sacrificing their personal appetites and happiness for the good of others.

    This sounds pretty excellent and praise worthy to me... It is pretty rare in our culture to encourage self-control and waiting til marriage to have sex. On the other hand, some of the language in the Twilight books and scenes makes it a little more questionable...

    I think the real question is deeper--does this book/tv show/movie distract me from God and godliness? What happens to my thoughts when I am watching, reading these things? If I am encouraged to live a life of excellence--self-control, self-sacrifice, goodness, and the pursuit of the universal truths of moral excellance than I think it is OK. This is personal and requires wisdom. If you doubt it is good for you--avoid it. It is better to cut it out of your life that for it to be sin. But, if you aren't convicted and there aren't any obvious moral issues--(such as portraying immoral behavior as good, cussing, sex...) than feel free to thank God for it. This is another good test of your conscience--if you can thank God for it.
    Allison
    Harry Potter and the like
    on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 5:08 am
    This article is ludacris. There is nothing wrong with watching movies like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. True the bible says things against witchcraft, but I highly doubt that God is up there saying, "You know what, I'm just going to damn them all for watching a TV show."

    Alot of christians take the bible too far. Some even condem halloween for being a pagan holiday, when in fact christmas as we know it is practically a pagan holiday itself.
    Erin Davis
    Allison
    on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 10:08 am
    To be clear, no on is saying that watching these movies will result in being damned to hell.

    Erin
    bookworm
    Allison
    on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 6:25 pm
    true, God isn't going to to that, but what's right with it? will it encourage your relationship with God? or will it promote one of things God hates most?

    Halloween did start as a pagan holiday-All Hollow's Eve-but just like Christmas and Easter, most people don't celebrate the real meaning.
    Laura
    My Take...
    on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 12:48 pm
    As a child, I loved fantacy. I didn't turn bad because of it. BUT, when I grew up and was saved and decided to raise my child in a Christaian home, my views did change quite a bit. As a family, we had to make decisions that controlled these type of issues because of thier possible affects. We didn't know early on as new Christians that Harry Potter was bad. We had a child in grammer school and someone suggested to my husband Harry Potter, as a book that may help peak his interst in reading. BOY DID IT! He became CONSUMED! I saw the affect it was having on my 10 year old, asked what it was about and pulled the plug quickly! I couldn't believe the pull it had on him. He desired to read it where I couldn't get him to read anything else. You have to look at what pulls at your desires and note whether it is spiritual warefare or not. In other light, my younger half-sister was a teenager at the time. She made a profession of faith but her mother saw nothing wrong with the Harry Potter books. She is now a self-proclaimed Which and says to be a Sister of Artemis or as we know her the Diana of Ephesus or "great goddess Diana" Acts 19:35 who comes from Jupiter. who is spoken of by Paul in Acts. She was the image worshipped in most of Asia at the time and he and his companions were run out of Ephesus by a silversmith and others who worshipped her in the city and Diana is somewhat held as the matriarch of whichcraft. If you read Acts 19:24-41 you'll see how much satan uses confusion to hinder the work of God. My sister was drawn here by becoming apart of the Harry Potter fan club and there being links to "How to become a which" on the sites. She denounced her profession of Faith and now serves the image Diana. I guess the simplist way I look at it is, Satan comes to us as light. IF YOU HAVE TO QUESTION if it is good to watch or read, it is probably safer not to. If you don't find yourself pulled, consumed or desiring it, (as in a need to satisfy the flesh), or even having a question about it within your heart (which I believe is a pull toward conviction by the Holy Spirit), then maybe it's okay for you. There were and are still things I have to question constantly, "Does this edify God?" I told my son, If I placed your bible on the table along with a book and the remote, which do you desire more? Each of us has to answer that question. If he ever became CONFUSED on the matter, I simply reminded him of the scripture I Cor. 14:33 " For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..." (remember the confusion the followers of the Goddess diana caused when someone was there to question thier beliefs?) and he learned how to see what is of God and what isn't. The best advise I can give, If it confuses you, it isn't of God. There is something other than God at play here if it confuses you.
    Shannon
    Well after reading this,
    on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 7:52 pm
    So to a lot of you guys, tons of people are confused on like is it really bad... right? cause you watch something and then go read that your not suposed to... thats kind of hard. I was never allowed to reald Harry Potter, or watch TV shows with wizards and stuff, but Im okay with that. Sometimes though I feel that im not going to go watch a movie with a scene about this girl following wicca, im not going to join and be like her. i love my faith, so why do i feel un-trusted when my parents say that i cant do something because of that... like i said.... im not gonna go join wicca or something like that...

    please help :))
    Confused Christian
    Hmm.. Okay, Question?
    on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 7:59 pm
    I find this helpful. I really do! I have a question tho: there's a show i was watching that does not pass the whatever test that i feel obsessed with and i have a youtube account about it... what do u suggest i do? like, do u suggest i delete the account or just not go on it? bcuz i know myself well enough to know i will go back on it eventually if i dont delete it but i really dont wanna delete lol... how do i break my obsession from shows about witchcraft? (thats what the show is about)
    Confused Christian
    to Alison
    on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8:03 pm
    um... how the HECK is CHRISTMAS practiacally a PAGAN holiday?! not to be rude but i mean REALLY?!
    Anonymous
    Re:
    on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 11:41 am
    About Harry Potter, there may be paralels but like one girl said Harry wasn't perfect when he gave his life so that representation is out of there... another thing black and white magic, both are the same things i=under GOds eyes, not once does it say do good magic because its okay but stay away from the black no!! He just puts them under the same catagory! So thats one thing to think about

    Love Lord of the Rings and just in case anyone didn't know this: when Tolkien wrote the book he wanted Gandalf to be an angel person that came to help Frodo and middle earth in its greatest time of need. Tolkien didn't mean for him to be a wizard he just didn't know what to call him. The closest thing he came up with was a wizard so yah..

    luv vici
    steve
    magic
    on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 6:50 am
    Recently I took my grandkids to see "kids magic show". It was fine. The man magically lifted a small table off the floor, How can I explain this to the kids? Is this purely and simply the power of satan, if so we have no business there> How would you explain this? thanks
    Victoria
    Magic
    on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 10:26 am
    hey steve,
    ususally when u take ur grandkids to see a magic show for kids they do stuff u can do and they just tease around.....theres an explination for everything ive seen at one of those shows and none have demonic qualities.
    lalalala
    umm Narina
    on Monday, April 26, 2010 at 4:03 pm
    I saw it once never read the book but for some reason that does not seem like something a Christian person would write. Maybe it is just me but i don't recommend any of this stuff. Really this world is filled with bad things could you talk about bad music i think everyone should know about that. mostly every famous artist is a "S" love they praise him in music. Supposedly you have to play it backward but you sub conscious understands it so you are praising the "s" whether you know it or not. That is why we have to ask god for forgiveness even for things we don't realize we did.
    janette contreras
    Magic show in las vegas...
    on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 12:55 pm
    Hello, Yesterday 4/28/10 a friend gave me two tickets to go see criss angel magic show"believe" this tickets were very expensive $150.00each, in the beginning I didn't realize what I was doing,I was planing on taking my 11 year old son to see a magic show for the first time in his life, as well as for me, but then as I was driving home,a question came to my mind,What does Jesus think about this matter? I belong to Jesus so I said what ever The Lord wants,that's what I will do.so I made a phone call to an uncle in Puerto Rico that is a Pastor and he told me to stay away from those practices and that God is against that.Well I got home and I pray about it,I ask God to show me in His word, I look up in my concordance book everything about magic and sorcerers, and Glory always be to our Father in Heavens and to The Lamb that sits at His right hand...I follow Jesus and I will do what He wants me to do because His Power surpases any power of the darkness.I learn that we should not practice anything that He condemns; I thank The Magnificent Holy Spirit for guiding me and always revealing to me what is right in the eyes of GOD." I returned the tickets to the person that gave them to me...the show was going to be today 4/29/10...but instead I will be Praising my LORD..to His Glory be The Power forever and ever AMEN.......
    Sequoia
    A balance.
    on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:25 pm
    I don't get why some girls are aloud to read twilight, but can't see harry potter. i mean...isnt harry potter ok? its about an orphan who learns to defeat evil with a magic wand. what's so evil about that? Ive seen all the movies and read all the books. I must admit, i did have an obsession for a little while, but i was 12 and still maturing. Now, I can read the books and see the movies and its no big deal. its simply entertainment and its not trashing my mind.
    Creeauna
    Not impressed
    on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:29 pm
    K, so this is what i think. I think that Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Twilight there all ok, but only if ur not obsessed or influenced by it. A good read is the Harry Potter series, not that i hav anything against any other series, but the only series ive read and likd is Harry Potter. I dont lik reading.
    Peace out ur homedog
    u no who
    Victoria
    Sequoia
    on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 8:29 am
    HP isnt ok! there is no such thing as good or bad witches, warlocks, wizards.....God puts them all in the same catagory! read one of my previous posts it might help ( it is in this section) God says to flee all appearences of evil! that show appears evil so flee it. THe devil alwas tries to candycote things so we are drawn to i dont give in....it tastes like poo in the end.....if you want I can give you some verses about it?
    Creeauna
    your opinion
    on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 10:56 pm
    Victoria i hav 2 say that i totally disagree with u, HP is fine and so is Wizards of Waverly Place, LOTR, and especially Narnia, i mean come on there only enertainment. Not everything that has a wizard, a wand, and a little bit of magic in it is dark, evil, and depressing. Not everything will make u the devils right hand man. Eating a bag of chips isn't edifying r u goin 2 stop eating junkfood? When u find out a movie u want 2 see has 1 curse word in it r u not goin 2 see the entire movie bcause of it?
    I think not!!!!!

    Hey Deborah, i just got 2 say im totally with u girlfriend!!!!!!

    And ya homies, if any of u dig justin bieber and his music please write, i totally feel alone in this!!!!!!!!

    TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<3<3 :)
    Sequoia
    Victoria
    on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 11:02 pm
    I understand how you feel about Harry Potter. A lot of Christian families won't let their kids watch anything with magic in it, but in my family Harry Potter is ok. In the movie Harry Potter, harry is a good wizard and he defeats a guy who murders for fun. God hates lying more then anything, right? well what if i just said no to watching any movies that had lying in it? wouldn't that seem a little crazy to you? I think that a lot of girls feel insecure about not being able to see something as childish as a fantasy and so they get defensive because they're not allowed to see it. It's one thing to be a wizard and another to read about a wizard.
    Victoria
    Creeauna
    on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 5:13 pm
    Okay , I agree with you now, thats a very valid point! And by the way I am a big Justin Bieber fan! we talk on twitter all the time.....and yeah its him......its his fan page but he actually talk to people!
    Rgjo777
    Hey jess and krlosier!
    on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm
    Omy goodness I also have a question.I'm like a big wizards of waverly place fan.I've seen every episode and it's my favorite show of all time.It isn't that magical,even though it's about wizards. I'm not a big fan of watching thingsabout witchcraft but I lve this.Can anyone help?(like Jess,krlosier,or Erin?)
    Rgjo777
    Justin bieber
    on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 5:35 pm
    I love justin bieber!Victoria,did u actually tlk to him?how'd u get his attention?
    tw
    Re:
    on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 5:41 pm
    Why is this such a big question? It's not an "opinion" or a "personal conviction." It's right in the Bible. Magic is bad. Divination is bad. Communing with spirits is bad. Glorifying darkness is bad. Glorify God. FLEE the very APPEARANCE of sin. Simple, you can't serve 2 masters. Don't partake in it. It doesn't matter if you are going to go out and be a witch or not. It doesn't matter if it's for kids. It doesn't matter if we dress it up with excuses about it teaching friendship or whatever. God says He hates it, why do you want to do something He hates? There will be spiritual consequences (and not necessarily ones you think). No, we "can't handle it." God knows we can't that's why He tells us to flee the appearance of sin. His grace covers us if we fall just in case, but it keeps us from falling. If we do whatever we want and say, "oh He won't mind" that's taking advantage of God (and grace is a gift, He doesn't owe us squat).

    Why is something so important that we feel the need to do it even when it's an abomination to God. This isn't just me spewing words. I used to love things with magic, Eastern philosophy, and moral relativity, glorifying sin and satanic disease, secular rap and rock music. I watched sexed up and violent movies since I was a small child. I listened to Good Charlotte and Beyonce. Charmed was my show, I saw every episode. I watched the series all the way through again on sindication. I didn't want to be a witch. I'm still a virgin. I never got suspended from school or in fights NEVER. I was a christian for most of this time. But was I as close to God as I could have been, no. Recently I've had to give up things I love, some of it since early childhood. It's hard to do that, but you have to think. Is Twilight (which actually I never liked, bleh XP) worth your closeness to God? Why is it that people feel that foregoing wordly things for God means we "miss out." You aren't missing out, you have God. People say, "oh as long as you don't make it an idol blah blah blah." Well if God says not to do it in the Word, through the Jesus, Holy Spirit, pastors, friends, a random girl on the internet, and yet WE STILL DO IT, that's an idol. So my answer to the posed questions is this. You won't lose salvation for watching things with magic or whatever, but do you shouldn't do it because God says not to.
    KeepingKaya
    Motivations
    on Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 12:37 am
    Okay, maybe it's just me, but when I read the Bible passage warning against magic, it's not necessarily the magic part that is sinful, it's the practice of believing you alone are in control of you and the world around you. In other words, it's like idoltry, with you in the deity role. In literature, magic is usually a tool for stimulating imagination, and sometimes even a metaphor for the "powers" we have in everyday life (political, financial, emotional, etc.) Throughout the plotlines, though, it's never the magic or the perfect spell that really wins the victory-- it's the lessons that the person learned along the way. The PERSON overcomes hardship through the same personal struggles that we face everyday, with a little added twist.
    I guess it depends on the literature you're reading, but in Harry Potter, for example, it's not the spell that saves him, it's the love of his friends and his family. It's the sacrifice he makes in the end that saves everyone (NOT parallel to Jesus, but along the message that loves and sacrifice are stronger than blunt force). Same with Gandel in LOTR.
    Yeah, some people are temporarily infatuated with the idea of being able to wave a stick and make an object fly or light up. But the appeal comes from the relatable characters and messages-- at least, that's how I percieved it.
    Maddie
    Drama
    on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 6:05 pm
    There is a lot of debate on this subject. I think we have to take this slooowly. If there was someone who was a strong Christian and loved God, and they liked Harry Potter, would you turn away in disgust? We need to not become too legalistic about all this. I, personally, have read the books, and have not been influenced thinking that witchcraft is real and that if I had a wand, I could do amazing things (which would be silly). The author, J.K Rowling is a very good author and is good at writing. But I agree with KeepingKaya, the series potrays loyalty to family and friends, and unlike most movies, the characters are not against their parents and never fight with them. They have tough times in their friendships, but they never completely abandon anyone.
    Just something to think about.
    Courtney-Anne
    Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
    on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 4:25 pm
    Ecclesiastes 7:16-18
    "Do not be overrighteous
    Neither be overwise-
    Why destroy yourself?
    Do not be overwicked
    And do not be a fool-
    Why die before your time?
    It is good to grasp the one
    And not let go of the other
    The man who fears God will avoid all extremes."
    Victoria
    rjgo777
    on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 8:24 am
    Yes, I have talked to him on twitter. He's an amzing young man. I got his attention by little things saying i wished i could go to his concert but my parents wouldn't lett me because he was a young hot singer boy. He replied and told me he understood and would sing the opening song for me!
    When he wasa in NH he asked if i was aloud to go now. I told him no.He got really sad and said that he would sing one less lonely girl for me! i wished him happy birthday he said he wished he could be wish his fan right now. he wished me happy valentines day too!
    Just do the cute little things and he will notice!
    Annamarie
    Re: Victoria
    on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 1:23 pm
    How do you talk to people on twitter? Do you just message them?
    L
    Harry Potter
    on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    I love the Harry Potter books and movies, but now I feel like God is disappointed with me for reading them...but they never seemed that terrible to me, and i really like them... so much for going to the last movie, i guess.
    Victoria
    AnnaMarie
    on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 7:55 am
    Yeah you just click on there @whateveritis and post something on there page or if they are following u u just post it on ur page unless ur replying to someones funny comment
    KcRex
    divination.
    on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 6:50 pm
    But why? It says god doesn't like it, but why doesn't he like it?
    Sarah, with the LYWB team
    @KcRex...divination...
    on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 4:37 pm
    "Divination" by definition is “the practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means”. Christians are confident in the knowledge that the sovereign God is in control of the unseen future. The answers we seek are not in the enemy’s hands, but in God’s. Anything that uses the occult, the realm of the enemy, Satan, is and was forbidden. "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD" (Deut. 18:10-12a).

    These types of practices open the minds of the ones practicing such to the influence of the devil and his demons. Knowingly opening oneself to the work of the enemy and his demons is an evil thing.
    Renee
    I NEED A RESPONSE TO THIS PLEASE!!!!!!
    on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11:00 pm
    I have a friend who's very, very deep ito the magic right now. I mean, he capitalizes the "M", he respects it so much. He also says it's not evil. What's right here?! He's quoted scripture to ME before on the subject and I'm getting confused, seem to be falling suddenly. What is going on?! Is all magic evil? Most importantly, what on earth do I say to him that will keep both of us on the right track?
    Lorree, with the LYWB team
    @ Renee
    on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 5:06 pm
    Thank you for asking your questions, Renee and giving us an opportunity to respond. Magic is a very dangerous area for you and your friend to dabble in. God may use different words, but He clearly tells us to avoid magic, sorcery, divination. In 1 Samuel 15:23 God says “…rebellion is as the sin of divination.” He also uses the words “lying, worthless and deceit in describing divination in Jer. 14:14. Our enemy can make magic very appealing, but even he “…disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14). God included divination, telling fortunes, interpreting omens, sorcery, mediums, wizards and necromancers as doing abominable acts (Deut. 18:9-14). He tells us these were common practices in cultures that did not know God and His people were not to practice them but rather be blameless before God. Several times in the book of Acts, those who practiced magic turned away from it when they believed in Christ as their Savior. The reason God forbids magic is because it appeals to a source of power other than God. We are to find all our needs met in God and God alone.

    Your friend may be able to quote Scripture to you, but could it be that he is twisting it to entice you to join with him in his interest in magic? Even the demons know Scripture and know who God is but they don’t have a saving relationship with Him (James 2:19).

    I encourage you, Renee, to speak with your parents or another godly adult in your church about this. Your friend is dabbling in things he should not be and could use an adult to come alongside him and guide him away from magic and into a personal growing relationship with God. We can’t have both. They are diametrically opposed to each other. I encourage you to pray for him and ask God to soften his heart, open his eyes and protect him from the evil one.

    I’ve prayed for you, Renee, and asked God to give you discernment, wisdom and protection. Please speak to someone about this, Renee – someone who can walk with you, encourage you and pray for you during this time. Stay in the Word, my dear friend. It will be the lifeline for your soul. It will keep you anchored to Christ and not led astray from the Truth.

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