“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:5-6).
The growing preoccupation with occult (supernatural) themes is a worldwide epidemic. Music, books, movies, games—all are being saturated with its wickedness. And because of the opportunity to gain immense wealth through occult means (Acts 19:19), man spreads it the more rapidly.
This scourge is but one further preparation for the coming, great apostasy when man will give up even the profession of Christianity and embrace Satanic delusion. “Then shall that Wicked be revealed . . . even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” (See also Revelation 12:9,12.)
The foundation for this final deception is currently being laid in unprecedented ways in the minds of the young. It is effectively disseminated through recreation as well as schools. Libraries and literature classes are used to communicate occult themes to children who are easy targets of this evil when it is presented as excitement and fun. Even parents are lulled into accepting Satanic subject matter if it is hidden in educational content.
Though the presence of the Spirit of God on earth inhibits such evil (see 2 Thess. 2:7), as the day grows morally darker the conflict intensifies. The world is little aware how much of its well-being and order is due to the presence of the Spirit of God and the assembly still being here. A brother once said that when the Holy Spirit leaves the earth, God will lift the lid and let the stench of what is in the human heart fully come out.
Seeing the world hastening on towards its end, may we be found walking circumspectly, not as fools as this dreadful time draws near (Eph. 5:15).
“The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).
A Further Loving Warning to Parents
A beloved brother recently shared some of the preceding thoughts, which are timely in view of a series of children’s fiction that has lately become favorite reading in many lands. These wildly popular stories, written by a young, divorced British mother (who says she believes in God ), presents the make-believe adventures of an orphan named Harry Potter. Four of the planned seven stories are now available in the series. Specifically targeted are 9 to 12-year-old children, though all ages read them.
The craftiness of this fiction is unparalleled. It is Satanic in nature, though many supposed experts praise the Harry Potter series. Those—especially Christians—who express concern are quickly labeled inflexible dogmatists or religious zealots. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
The following warning is presented with the prayerful desire that dear Christian families may be preserved from such awful influences of Satan.
Who and What Is “Harry Potter”?
The stories concern an orphan boy who is a witch. Born to parents who also were witches, each story describes a battle between good witches (such as Harry’s parents) and evil ones (like the witch who killed them). Harry miraculously survives the attack which has orphaned him. Bearing a mark in his forehead (Rev. 14:9) of the assault, he begins to attend an invisible (to mere humans) school for witches. His teachers are an assorted group of wizards, witches and other occult figures. All manner of magic and witchcraft form his normal life.
Yet the most blasphemous subtlety of this story is its portrayal of the battle between good witches and evil witches. Thus Satan teaches children that what God calls abomination (Deut. 18:10-12) is, in reality, still to be considered good!
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20)!
Judging With Righteous Judgment
Writing to the believers at Corinth, the beloved Apostle, through divine inspiration, tells them that he speaks “as to wise men.” They are responsible to “judge ye what I say” (1 Cor. 10:15). Thus, rather than reviewing the Harry Potter stories, let us hear, from the following excerpts, thoughts of those who are best acquainted with this work. Then let us hear the divine Word of God so that each may judge these things using true and righteous judgment.
The Author Speaks
First the author, J. K. Rowling, states, “Harry’s status as an orphan gives him a freedom other children can only dream about. Being removed from the expectations of parents is alluring. The orphan . . . is freed from the obligation to satisfy parents.”
But Scripture says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother” (Eph. 6:12). And, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
She also says that as Harry grows older in future episodes, “the books are going to get darker”! Thus, once the imaginations and hearts of young children have been captured by this wicked series, the author evidently intends to make the stories even more filled with evil!
But Scripture says, “Whatsoever things are true . . . honest . . . just . . . pure . . . lovely . . . of good report . . . think on these things” (Phil. 4:8), and believers are to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).
As for finding acceptable children’s reading materials, we have a wonderful principle found in Isaiah 7:15. “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.”
The World Speaks
The world is vigorous in its defense. One critic says, “These books teach kids that reading can be fun. The Harry Potter books are often the first that a child reads just for fun, opening up children’s eyes to the further possibilities of recreational reading. They can change a child’s attitude about reading while improving reading skills.”
What awful reasoning! Encouraging children to fill their tender minds with witchcraft in order to become better readers! The Apostle Paul makes short work of this wicked logic, telling us that the damnation of those who falsely accuse Christians of saying, “Let us do evil, that good may come,” is indeed just (Rom. 3:8).
One critic asserts that Harry has “basic human values—many of them are Christian!” What? A witch with Christian values! What blasphemy! Let us hear the Word of God. “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).
Others say that “Harry’s moral superiority carries the day, not divine grace”! These books also “teach children that there is a different degree of truth in fairy tales and in the historical facts of Christian salvation.” A different degree of truth! What dishonor to the Person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6)!
The Bible says, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb. 10:29).
Satanic Religion Speaks
Those actively involved in Satan worship and witchcraft are also happy with these books. A practicing witch commented, “If somebody wants to write about us as being fun, interesting, magical people, we don’t mind that at all!” Another said, “[The Harry Potter series] portrays witches in a positive way. For once witches are the heroes, not the villains.”
But the Bible says, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections. . . . Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom. 1:26, 32).
Professing Christianity Speaks
Most solemn of all is that many well-known leaders in Christendom (such as Charles Colson) have actively supported this Satanic series. One such Christian leader, writing in a popular religious publication, states: “I don’t think it’s a strong enough case to say a book should be pulled [from school shelves] because it has witches and wizards and violence in it.”
But the Bible says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:33). Let us ever believe God and obey Him rather than men.
Another Christian writer made this shocking statement: “Author J. K. Rowling has created a world with real good and evil, and Harry is definitely on the side of light fighting the dark powers.” The Bible says, “What concord hath Christ with Belial?” (2 Cor. 6:15).
Yet another Christian writer comments, “[The Harry Potter] series is a Book of Virtues with examples of compassion, loyalty, courage, friendship and even self-sacrifice.”
To such horrible thinking, our blessed Lord Jesus says, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14).
A Young Believer Speaks
Let us now hear the words of a dear nine-year-old boy—a believer in the Lord Jesus. Jean-Paul is enrolled in a private, Christian school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During reading time, students in his class are given the Harry Potter books to read! Jean-Paul’s folks have stoutly resisted this activity, requesting that their son be allowed to go to the school library instead.
When asked why he doesn’t read the series, Jean-Paul simply says, “In the Bible it says not to do witchcraft.” “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou established praise” (Psa. 8:2 JND).
The Spirit of Antichrist
In closing, let us once more hear God’s Word. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists” (1 John 2:18). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
Oh dear reader! Consider well these things. Harry Potter, the fictional boy-witch, has two natures molded into one being. Though a witch with magical powers, he also possesses human feelings and emotions. When not at the witchcraft school, he lives with normal humans. Yet, he is able to see and move in a world invisible to mere mortals—a world of spirits. And he is portrayed as always on the side of good—always gaining victory over evil.
Do we not see in this the most horrible subtlety and blasphemy of all! The hero of this wicked fantasy has many of the attributes of an antichrist. In spirit Harry Potter is very subtly presented to the young as a substitute for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even worse, the antichrist spirit in Harry Potter is directed at little children! It seeks to draw them away from the One who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.” These stories do much to prepare the hearts and minds of little ones to accept the spirit of antichrist. May God deeply stir us up to practically be separate and touch not the unclean thing (2 Cor. 6:17).
Let us cast “down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God . . . bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
“It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11).
Ed.
Note: Should any desire it, a list of sources quoted in this article is available.