harry

bytheword.com

Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Is it evil?
3. How the evil is disguised.
4. Why some Christians are so easily seduced.
5. Marketing help.
6. Discerning truth from error.
7. Conclusion

Introduction
For those who have an accurate knowledge of the Word of God and are firmly planted have little or no concern about Harry Potter affecting their individual walk. He poses no threat for those who have a daily personal relationship with God. But for those who are new to God, who do not read and study the scriptures daily, these individuals have difficulty in spiritual understanding and in deciding what is good and evil. In addition those who have godly spiritual insight may be able to better help those who do not by gaining a better understanding of the subject.

Is it Evil?
The scriptures declare that there are only two sources of spiritual power. The Bible reveals the characteristics of each and who is behind them. When the written Word of God is consulted, a clear understanding is revealed regarding truth and error.

Harry Potter books are instruction manuals on witchcraft disguised as entertainment. They offer a new power that most children do not have. Young minds are lured to the excitement. The scriptures are very clear that reliance upon any power other than the true God is idolatry.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination (pagan prophecy), or an observer of times (interprets omens, probably through astrology), or an enchanter (uses magic), or a witch, 11 Or a charmer (breaks people up), or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer (consults the dead). 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD...(KJV)

No matter how powerful devil spirits are, the true God is always bigger because He’s the most powerful. All of these listed here in Deuteronomy involve the use of devil spirits. The scriptures could not make it any plainer what the will of God is.

In Exodus, Pharaoh thought that his magicians could stand against the true power of Moses and God.

Exodus 7:11-12 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (KJV)
Exodus 8:19 19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God... (KJV)

The Word of God is where a person begins to accurately understand the spiritual world. The miracles of God are always backed up by His holy Word.

How the evil is disguised
Ever notice how easily Hollywood movies can get you to pull for the bad guy? They only need to get you to sympathize with an injustice done to the bad guy. For instance if you watched the movie, The Godfather, you probably pulled for the Corleone family. Even though you know that every mafia family is evil, you did it out of personally knowing the bad guys and out of sympathy for any evil another mafia family did to them. Spending time with someone develops a relationship. The mafia is evil no matter which family you pull for.

Harry Potter is no different. He was orphaned at one year old when his parents were killed. Who could resist pulling for a guy that has had so much evil happen to him? The only problem is that those who killed his parents and Harry Potter are both evil. So-called “good” spirits are pitted against “evil” spirits. Very few are sharp enough to realize that all spirit power that does not come from the true God is evil.

Isaiah 5:20 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (KJV)

The media has aided unbelievers for so long in the labeling of Christians as extremists that true Christians no longer have much credibility left. Many have been asked the question, “Why do you promote a series known to promote witchcraft?” They answer by saying, “It’s fun, it’s educational, and it finally gets the children to read on their own. After all any parent should be proud of that if it’s for the children.” But the confusing part to children is that something that is wicked is made to look like it’s fun.

The average person can not see evil when they look at Harry Potter. They see a normal- looking kid with glasses. But those of us who are trained to look for motives can see through the facade. Harry is supposed to be battling evil yet Harry himself is evil.

Harry’s character appeals to many people. He’s a tender wizard, humble, kind and portrayed as an underdog. He’s pitted against others in the movie that are rash, abusive, and self-serving. The contrast is made so that the viewer accepts the evil magic of a little tender wizard named Harry. In order for someone to get you to accept evil as good, a far worse evil is compared to a lesser evil. For instance, some one who murders could be contrasted against someone who lies. They are both evil, but you might be more accepting of the liar compared to the murderer. Harry’s evil is compared to much worse so that you accept Harry.

Examples include:
Harry and his wizardry school are invaded by an evil troll who kills people.
Harry and his wizardry school are pitted against a person who is trying to steal the sorcerers immortal stone.

Why some Christians are so easily seduced:
There are many Christians today that are busy fulfilling the desire of making as much money as the neighbors make. Both parents work for fear they could not support the addiction. There just isn’t any time left to teach the children the Word of God. They only tell their children about God while wishing their children were interested in Him. Their example is hypocritical when they themselves don’t take the necessary time to study the scriptures. So many are too busy teaching their children through example that making money and its power is more important than the power of God. The details of whom God is and what He expects is left up to the one hour a week visit to the Church. And even then the modern day Church has failed to provide adequate power in its instruction. They have failed to accurately teach the personal relationship with God Almighty and the powerful benefits to trusting Him at His Word. With at least six and a half days a week left for the “world” to convince Christians of a doctrine, Harry Potter fills “the void.” Because of this and other reasons, very few children and parents have enough spiritual insight to discern between truth and error. Yet the children are left alone to watch and read these stories so that they can be “entertained.”

Let’s consider the following quotes from the movie:
Harry Potter is trying to choose a magic wand in a shop. The shop owner tells Harry that he is wrong in trying to choose the wand because “the wand chooses the wizard.” This teaching helps to eliminate freewill and promotes possession.

Dumbledore, Harry’s headmaster at his wizardry school tells Harry that “there is no good and evil, only power.” It’s the same disguise the Adversary has been promoting for centuries. If he can not be seen, then his evil must not exist.

Harry Potter looks a lot like Christianity:
When Harry was a baby evil attacked him in an attempt to kill him, but could not. The baby Jesus went through the same scenario.

Voldemort, the evil wizard, was a good wizard who went bad. Lucifer was God’s good Archangel who went bad.

A sorcerer’s stone that is capable of giving a person immortality is introduced. This stone takes the place of THE Rock, Christ Jesus and the eternal life he died for.

Marketing help
The media is fascinated with evil. Death and destruction are glorified every day in newspapers, TV, radio and the Internet. With so much emphasis on the dark side of life it’s no wonder that the media would promote Harry Potter. Whatever an individual spends most of their time in thinking will usually result in accepting that as normal. One only need to spend their time in “light,” like the scriptures in order to accurately discern between what is good and evil. The media attempts to exclude anything that is not tolerant of all things. Yet it excludes Christianity in this hypocritical doctrine.

Coca-Cola is sponsoring Harry Potter and in its ad to promote a contest they say the following:

“The only limit is your imagination! Coca-Cola is dedicated to bringing the fun and magic of reading to children everywhere.”

Much has been promoted through fun and imagination. Children are encouraged at school to let their imaginations run wild because it’s fun. The lesser the mental restraints the better. Yet the scriptures declare that we are to discipline our minds to God so that we are not distracted with evil. God’s Word teaches mental restraints based upon truth. Harry Potter promotes evil with letting the imagination run wild. In the 1960’s and 1970’s it was “if it fells good do it.”

Discerning truth from error
Harry Potter does not rely upon the true God for guidance. Instead he relies upon so-called “good” spirits. The scriptures are very clear about reliance upon God. Any other reliance is idolatry.

Exodus 20:3 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (KJV)

In the Old Testament God went as far as to command the following:

Leviticus 20:27 27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. (KJV)

Idolatry or wizardry was considered such a high crime that it was punishable by death. Even if the punishment has changed in the New Testament, the sin of idolatry is still present.

Acts 19:18-19 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly... (NIV)

When they turned to the true God of the scriptures, they realized their error. They wanted to correct their ways by getting rid of anything that stood between them and God.

One must keep in mind that Harry Potter’s first movie is an introduction into the dark side. In order to continue to fascinate children and parents, the plot must get darker. Herein lies a major problem. If the light of scripture is not taught then both children and adults will blindly follow the author’s lead on the premise of fun, fantasy and entertainment. For those who are very knowledgeable of Holy Scripture and believe it, Harry Potter poses little or no threat to them. They know of Satan’s devices, his trickery, his subtle way of introducing his power.

Ephesians 6:12 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)

This is about a spiritual fight for the minds of our youth. Every parent is responsible before God to teach their children God’s Word.

Ephesians 6:13 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV)

We put on the whole armor of God by putting His Word on in our minds. Only then can one accurately discern between truth and error. We have a greater power available to us than that of sorcery, witchcraft, psychic power or any other evil.

1 John 4:4 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

The choice is clear. With proper biblical instruction we can carry out the work that Christ promised.

John 14:12 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (KJV)

We need not yearn or lust for another power. The power of God in Christ in you is sufficient to carry out any task needed to satisfy the will of God and supply the believer’s need.

Conclusion
Consider the following possibility on why Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings came out right after the September 11th tragedy of 2001? . If you were the Devil and knew when you could push Osama Bin Laden to attack America and Hollywood could be pushed to make these movies, you could coordinate the events to happen so that when Americans felt the most powerless, you could give them something to fill the void. These movies could lull people away from the comfort and truth of God and His Word.

Most books, movies and articles tell a moral story. Harry Potter is no exception for it tells children that witchcraft, sorcery and psychic powers are “fun” and need to be explored. If you do not have the Written Word of God as your standard to discern truth from error then you will most likely be in error. Mankind through the years has so often thought that his way was better than God’s, that he could come up with a better political system or religious way. But all of us stand approved before God as we rightly divide the Word of truth (I Timothy 2:15). In order to discern what truth is you first have to have that truth. The only place that it’s available in its purest form is in God’s Written holy Word, the Bible. II Timothy 4:2-5 tells us that many will turn from the truth to fables and that we are to watch and be ready. In order to watch and be ready we need to fill our minds with the Word of God and not with fables or myths.

Is Harry Potter Evil?

By Joseph Prescia

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