As a Christian, I'm struggling with some things. It's not me personally, so don't panic thinking something is wrong. Maybe it's better to say I'm pondering. So, I hope you’ll join me in a series of blogs over the next week or so.
Where Am I Going With This?
I think I was a teen when Harry Potter was first released. To be honest, I had zero interest in reading it - and I never have. Now, some fifteen plus years later, the series continues to dominate the reading and entertainment world.
But it's not only popular among the secular world. Instead, it's even recommended in the Christian world. People argue that the message underneath is about confronting fears, and places an emphasis on the battle between good and evil.
But in arguing these points, we are equating the power of prayer to the magic practiced by sorcerers. And we slide further into a direction that merely maintains luke-warm standing in the eyes of Christ.
Harry Potter vs. the Bible
Author J.K. Rowling states, "My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for immortality at any price, the goal of anyone with magic. I so understand why Voldemort wants to conquer death. We're all frightened of it."
In Hebrews 2:15, we realize that the fear of death binds us in slavery.
“...and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Only about a week ago, I came across a church website that had a recommended reading page. And you guessed it! Harry Potter was near the top of the list.
But do people not realize that Harry Potter is a wizard?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a wizard is someone who practices magic; a sorcerer.
"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God." - Galatians 5:19-22
This is not the only time that sorcery is mentioned. You'll find it throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
The True Heart of a Sorcerer
In Acts 8, we are introduced to Simon. He thought he was great, and boasted as such. People of every stature followed him, as he had a long history of amazing them with his sorcery. People were even duped into believing that his great power came from God, but it didn't.
As the truth of Christ was exposed, and as people believed it, they instead chose to be baptized. They chose to follow Philip, standing in awe of the miraculous works of God.
This even included Simon. But though baptized,his heart was not right before God. Instead, he thought he could buy his way into the Kingdom and could purchase the gifts of the Spirit. As a result, he was called out and told to repent. But his response shows that he was in it for what he thought he could get, and not for the relationship that God desires to have with man. His heart was found to still hold bitterness, and was identified as still being captive to sin.
"Pray to the Lord FOR me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." -Acts 8:24 (emphasis added)
Simon was not ready to enter into that personal covenant with God. He allowed his sin to hold him captive.
Teetering on a Deadly Cliff
Know this, Satan is prowling and leading people astray - even with Harry Potter. And the Church is blinded to the ill-effects. Christians are being led to slaughter, but cannot recognize it because we're too eager to buy into worldly things.
You can reach people by being different. In fact, we're to stand out in a world that continues to blend in.
The Church and Christians all around the world are merely dancing with darkness by watering down the Gospel. And in a world that places an emphasis on popularity and wealth, countless churches are trying to lure people into the walls with a message that sounds good but is in fact deceptive.
“Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” -James 4:4
But We Have to Attract Them
Yes, the church should be a welcoming place for all ages, races, and genders. Yes, broken people need to be welcomed with open hearts. And the Church should no longer be a museum for saints, but a hospital for the sick - sick in mind, body, soul, and spirit.
But understand this, the Church needs to awaken! By skewing Truth to fit the mold of today’s generation, no favors are being done. Instead, a once powerful Church is now becoming powerless.
Sin brought into the Church should be laid at the altar. It should not be manifesting and spreading like an infectious disease - spreading rot and decay throughout entire families, communities, states, and countries. We must close the gateway - the portal to hell!
Sounding the Alarm & Awakening the Church
Repent oh Church, and turn from your wicked ways. No longer allow your leaders to be the very catalysts that lead others to destruction. Call for purity in mind, body, soul, and spirit - no longer looking onward when church staff members are posting countdowns to the next Harry Potter movie, selfies while visiting Harry Potter’s kingdom in Universal Studios’, and glorifying this dark series by placing it on a recommended reading list!
And do not be afraid to speak the truth in love to the congregation.
Ephesians 4:15 states,
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
By fearing the offense that someone may take, or the moments of uncomfortability, the enemy gains ground for the souls of our spouses, children, friends, and neighbors. And though my opinion may be unpopular in nature, I am not willing to allow those I love to perish.
Harry Potter is not welcome in my home, and never will be. I’d rather be identified as an uptight prude than to dapple with darkness that leads to the death of my soul. If you give Satan a toehold, you can be assured that he will, through time, knock down the door and enter.