When Harry Met Satan
It seems that the world has gone wild about Harry again ... because the one-two combination of the movie/book release has put the spell of Potter-mania on the muggle world - driving the multitudes to the multiplexes and boatloads to the bookstores.
by Lane Palmer, Christian Today Guest Columnist
Posted: Thursday, July 12, 2007, 12:01 (BST)
Fortunately, you don't need to be a whiz kid or even a wizard for that matter to defend yourself. In fact, the Bible lays out our Defense Against Satanic Attacks in one passage:
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God's armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
This isn't a frog spawn-potion-divination kind of thing. In fact, this isn't magic at all. This is a spiritual exercise intended for every day use ... armour, rinse, repeat. If you don't, you're as vulnerable as a first year Hogwart's student at a Death Eater family reunion. And if you don't get that reference, read: "easy target."
So here's how not to be fish in a barrel for the Devil and his army. Start each day prayerfully and wholly committed to telling the truth, living right, being ready to share the gospel, trusting God in everything, remembering your forgiveness, and having a fist full of Scripture at the ready when the lies of the enemy come flying at you from every angle.
And most of all, keep in constant communication with Christ, because without prayer, the best defense in the world falls flat on its face.
So whether you're a Potter-Maniac or just a casual observer, remember the real battle you are in as a Christian, put on your armor, and fight in the power of God. I guarantee that if you do, the action/adventure of the Harry Potter series will pale in comparison!
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Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colorado, USA, where he works to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energise and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 17:36 (BST)
Thank you healtheland for your comments. God says that His people perish because of lack of knowledge. If we as Christians could only understand that we are a peculiar people and that we are to be alert because our adversary is on the prowl. The enemy is sly, convincing, and perverts all the things of God. The Harry Potter series isn't even subtle about the things of the occult. It's not fantasy! If you do research, the names, words, etc. are from the "religion" of witches. It is a sad day when Christians take something of the world to teach their own children. We are to educate ourselves at what is really going on. There aren't good or bad witches, they are all evil in the eyes of God. Satan is slick and captivating and he knows that the way to destroy future generations is to reach the young people. Our childrens minds are being curropted by spells, and so forth, and we sit back and watch because it is all entertainment, and it's teaching our children to have an interest in reading. We are not to be lukewarm about these things. The enemy was an angel of light with a dark heart. He lures people to things that are not of God by deceiving them with false truths (anyone remember his conversation with Eve?) Please, my prayer to everyone is to be more vigilant in reading and understanding the Word of God. We are to hate the things that God hates. We are to be educated and know that we are not restling with flesh and blood. Our young people are under attack and many of us have added salt to the wound by allowing them to feed on things of the occult.
Savingourchildren, Chicago, IL
Added: Friday, July 20, 2007, 9:39 (BST)
"It is about going to heaven, and only those who have rejected the world and kept the commandments of Jesus Christ are going to meet that standard."
What gospel is that? Works dont get you into heaven my friend, we can never meet God's standard....why would his Son in the first place?
jath88, Sydney, Australia
Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 15:42 (BST)
So now we are using witches (thou shalt not suffer a witch to live says Exodus 22:18) to teach our kids how to make better moral choices? What next, sending them to psychics to learn dating advice? Or to voodoo priestesses in order to gain better study habits? Look people, God judged Saul and every male in his household because he visited the witch at Endor. What makes you think that He won't do the same to us? Where in the new covenant does it say that playing around with witchcraft is OK? Quite the contrary, the epistles and Revelation make it clear that witches, sorcerers, etc. will be in the lake of fire.
Enough with this nonsense that we cannot ignore the phenomenon because it is so popular. Internet and child pornography are popular too, so are Christians going to get a piece of that? Why not? It would bring a lot of money in the church, and would pack the pews on Sundays! Christianity is not "morals and values." You want morality and good family values, go to virtually any Muslim nation under the shari'a law, that's clean living for you! It is about going to heaven, and only those who have rejected the world and kept the commandments of Jesus Christ are going to meet that standard. Even if J. K. Rowling is a professed Christian, Harry Potter will fill your children full of evil spirits rather than saving their souls, and it will be your responsibility for letting those things in your house and family by succumbing to the world in that fashion. Oh, you don't believe that evil spirits are real? Well then you do not believe in the Bible. So why not quit pretending to be a Christian and go be a witch if you reject the truth, inerrancy, and final authority of scripture while liking Harry Potter so much?
healtheland, Atlanta, USA
Added: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 11:58 (BST)
well "JHC" (obviously not the real one, a false one i would say) your "filler" comment denies Christ (the real one that is) this shows what you really think about G-d. The word "anti" mean anything? Hope I'm wrong!
You made clear a well written column. Good.
G B, uk
Added: Sunday, July 15, 2007, 2:43 (BST)
Boogy boogy boogy boo! Anything that is a cultural phenominon will be considered to be the work of 'Satan' according to this sky surfer. If people could be influenced into Satan by Harry Potter, then when is the Pope going to come out with his trilogy of super-happy-we love you-church is great movies? No doubt you could simply combat this evil with a 'good message' movie and millions will flock to your church? Im not anti-god...Im just anti-idiots like this moron.
There are only 10 laws (commandments for those that lack brainpower) that God wrote that he wants you to really follow...The rest is 'filler' or commentary that was simply made up.
JHC, UK
