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These two go together rather perfectly…. and really hit me.
“Abstain from every form of evil.”

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Is. 5:20, 1 Thess. 5:22)

I’ve been prayerfully sifting through how to approach this writing.  In fact, I actually had to do a bit of digging, research, and detective work to compile my conclusions to share.

We have never read the Harry Potter books and never seen the Harry Potter movies.  We never will.  My children have never really asked much about seeing them.  I had heard this and that, and knew there was an element of magic in them.  We simply detoured away and have never really given a solid reason to our children of why we have made that decision.  I am thankful they have simply trusted our decision.

Others have asked.  Have you seen Harry Potter?  I felt that I should educate myself enough in order to share with our children, so that they could understand our reason.   I guess I could say, I already had a conviction just from the small snippit of understanding I had of the books, but wanted an overall better and more biblical answer for them.  So they could learn and grow, and understand the reality of the need to be on guard.  To be discerners.  And hopefully for them to be able to then share, if  they choose, should another time come when their peers ask them – “why not?”.

I confess, I have not done this well at times in the programs they have viewed.  I have spent time repenting, asking their forgiveness, and we have all grown.  After researching Harry Potter, it has led me to being on guard and even more prayerful about the choices we make overall.  Realizing a level of ignorance on my part at times, in not digging enough before really thinking about what we are allowing our minds to be entertained with.

Recently God has been convicting me, through a study of Peter.  Jesus challenging Peter to examine his heart, in not casually or ignorantly claiming “I love you Lord”.  But examining do “I really love him?”  Am I really ready to forsake all of this world and my affections to follow Him?  Also reading through the rich young ruler again, I was captivated by the question… “Lord what do I lack?”  Jesus informed him what he lacked, challenged him, and  he failed to surrender every aspect of his life to the Lord.  He held onto the things that were dear to him.  So I am learning to ask the Lord, “what do I lack?” and be ready as God gives me the answer, to receive what the Lord may show me I am lacking.  And ready to forsake all, let go of the comfortable, complacent living and really be willing to “come follow Jesus”.

And so as I share with my children my findings on Harry Potter,  I think of the scripture…

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”  1 Peter 3:15-17

The first point I want to make right off the start!  

What I’ve found that seem to all match up in resources is that the many of the statements, practices in these movies is not simply pretend.  This is real!  Active and being used in forms and ways and practiced at this very moment in real life.

Keeping in mind I have not seen the Harry Potter movie.  I am going off the findings that seem to be common among the many websites and a friend I chatted with as well on this matter.

What I have discovered is Harry Potter is a clever vice of the enemy to lure children/others into a seemingly innocent and fun movie using very real practices of real wiccans today.

From one source:

“One of the easiest ways to know whether a fantasy book or film has real world magic in it is to just ask a simple question: “Can my child find information in a library or bookstore that will enable them to replicate what they are seeing in the film or the book?”   If you go to something like Harry Potter, you can find references to astrology, clairvoyance, and numerology. You can actually replicate these exact things in real life.  And witches do.  It takes seconds to go into a bookstore or library and get books on that and start investigating it, researching it, and doing it. In fact, that’s why real Wiccans, real witches, and real occultists are using the popularity of Harry Potter to lure kids toward real world occultism. They actually have advertisements for their own books that use Harry Potter as their appeal.”

I spoke with a Sister in Christ the other day, who actually confirms  this.  Within her local church years ago, a video was shared with real wiccans claiming they hoped others would watch Harry Potter so they would be captivated into the magic and witchcraft.  It was a tool they were thrilled to use!

We know that children are copy cats.  And imitate, perform, practice, and quote the things they’ve seen and heard.  We may say we can walk and talk our children through these things.  Our children are mature enough to handle it.  Is that what the bible says?  “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 cor. 10:12

What about being a stumbling block?  And what about:? “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

More things I’ve read:

” We might see some symbolism in the Harry Potter books that might be able to be interpreted — if you pushed it — in some sort of Christian way, but these same symbols also have occult and pagan meanings to them. Within the framework and the context of Harry Potter we see that this is probably what she is dealing with.

There is this whole movement within Christianity where people are trying to say that the Harry Potter books are Christian novels. And that is just untrue. You can’t interpret it that way. That is not the context of the story. That’s not what Rowling is in her real life and what she is trying to put across. And what is interesting is that these people who are saying that the Harry Potter books are Christian, are interpreting all these symbols in a Christian way, but in the exact opposite way that J.K. Rowling has herself explained. So they are contradicting the author herself, which is sort of silly.

Parents are unaware at how easy it is to get books on witchcraft and spells, many of which are located right next to the Harry Potter books at bookstores.   Parents don’t seem to understand first of all what is in Harry Potter.  I don’t think parents understand how closely what is in Harry Potter mirrors what is in the real world, and then how the real world books are being sold right up next to the Harry Potter books. There is this crossover where the Wiccans know it, the occultists know, the practitioners of all these things know it, and they are using that curiosity that kids have for all of this stuff now through Harry Potter to attract readers to their real world how-to manuals.”

This is serious business. We would do well to remember Jesus’ sobering words: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:5-6

I actually found an article from an ex-witch.  Who is now a professing Christian saved and set free!  Shares of the dangers of Harry Potter.  Confirming the practices within Harry Potter is very much real, alive and active in this world today.  That there is a deceptive reason these books and movies are being produced.  “be on guard the devil seeks who he may devour”.

In the name of fun and pretend….

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”  2 Cor. 11:14

I visited our local library today.  It was an eerie feeling.  AS I prayed my way to the shelves for witch craft, and more.  I guess I just wanted to see the real deal books in non-fiction after seeing the Harry Potter books on the shelf in the children’s fiction.  Supposedly pretend and yet very much real.  Not only did I see the witchcraft books, but sitting the next book over was the satanic bible.  I’d had enough and prayed my way out of this place.

Deuteronomy 18: 9-11 gives us some  crystal clear guidance. “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire (human sacrifice), or that useth divination (fortune telling such as using a sorting hat), or an observer of times (charting your life by astronomy or the stars), or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer (a person who uses information, music or physical items like jewelry to seduce another person), or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”

Acts 19:18-19  ^“Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly.”

A  serious matter.

While Harry Potter is not one we have put before our children’s eyes, I am reminded of how important it is to cry out to the Lord, and ask him to search and examine me “See if there is any offensive way in me,  and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:24

The apostles were called to “come Follow Me”.  Leave behind everything that was near, familiar, and dear to them. Deny themselves.

“do not be conformed to the patterns of this world..”  Romans 12:2

Our comfy cushy lives with entertainment can often go to our heads.  The disciples were leaving behind families, occupations, everything… and we grit our teeth when we have to say “no” to entertainment?  Oh my.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”  1 John 2:17

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Eph. 5:15-17