I just watched two of the movies with all of my kids and my daughter who is youth leadership at our church, and my wife a former employee of our church as well as myself (former teacher of evangelism). At first I must admit, I was against it. I read all the stuff put out by berean call on it. Then I realized a few years later they also put out warnings against the passion of christ movie because it was rated R for violence and had a few unbiblical scenes. So I think it's over reacting. But if for some reason someone feels impressed by God NOT TO WATCH IT. Don't. Don't grieve the holy spirit. While the movie is dark and shows some stuff like headless ghosts etc. The movie and books helped my son get excited about reading and learning. We could not get him to read any books, yet he loved this series. To me anything that gets someone into reading is good. Now if it was more realistic, if people were saying "hey my son watched harry potter and now desires witch craft." Then that is not good. But we clearly explained that this movie was fake, and fiction, and none of it was real. If it was a real movie, that would be way to scary for kids. But none of my kids walked away being enticed into witchcraft by any means. It's just good clean fun for families to watch it. And in a day and age of plenty of nasty movies, you don't have lots of options. (granted that is not an excuse). But tonight we watched decendants 2 which is a disney movie of decendants of all the old disney characters. Some witches others good beings, faries etc. It's just good clean family fun. No need to get legalistic. But if you feel you shouldn't watch it, then don't and if you feel your kids shouldn't watch it then don't. And you can share why, but don't expect everyone to have the same convictions.
I believe there are several reasons why people today cannot see Harry Potter or magic in movies as being pure evil (Note: Please do not take what I say personally; I am only telling you what I personally believe; I am not seeking to judge any one person's salvation here, but I am merely relaying what I believe God's Word says on this matter. If you disagree, let's agree to disagree in love and respect).
#1. Movies, video games have become an idol to today's society. They are filled with taking the Lord's name in vain, murder, sexual immorality, witchcraft, lying, theft, hate, idolatry, drunkenness, etc.; 1 Corinthians 15:33 says,
"Do not ye be deceived; for evil speeches destroy good conduct. [
Do not ye be deceived; forsooth evil speeches corrupt, or destroy, good conduct, or virtues.]
" (
WYC) (
Wycliffe Translation). The King James says "
evil communications" instead of "
evil speeches." If a person knows anything about reaping and sowing, they should know this. If one listens to junk and or puts junk in their mind, then junk is going to come back out in some way.
#2. They are not fully aware of the seriousness of God's condemnation against sorcery in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 33:6), and that God had told the Israelites to kill sorcerers. God says whoever does such things is abomination to the LORD (See: Deuteronomy 18:10-12). They are not aware that sorcery is still condemned in the New Testament (Galatians 5:19-21) (Revelation 21:8) (Revelation 22:15). Real people today practice witchcraft and know that these things can lead people into the occult and or witchcraft.
#3. Obedience to Jesus and and or to God's commands is not legalism without God's grace, but it is loyalty to Jesus, it is loving Jesus, and it is a part of eternal life. Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Jesus said, "My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." (Luke 8:21). Jesus said if you will enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17). Jesus agreed with the lawyer to love God and to love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28). Jesus said if you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love (John 15:10). If you believe things have changed after the cross, this is simply not so. The apostle John taught that by "walking in the light" it relates to the blood of Jesus Christ cleansing us from all sin (1 John 1:7). "Walking in the light" is "loving your brother" (See: 1 John 2:9-11) (Also see: 1 John 3:10, and 1 John 3:15). Paul said if any man does not agree with the words of Jesus and the doctrine according to godliness, he is proud and he knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4). Some people think today that any obedience to Jesus of any kind as a part of God's plan of salvation is Legalism. Then by all means, they should live in debauchery and live like the most evil criminal they can think of trust in God's grace and see where that gets them come judgment day. I guarantee you, such an individual will not make it into God's kingdom (See: Matthew 7:23, Matthew 13:41-42).
#4. They are not aware that there mind sins can condemn like in Matthew 5:28-30. For Jesus says a person can be cast into hellfire for looking upon a woman in lust. He says this is committing adultery in the heart and it condemns a person. Jesus relates this to the physical act of adultery. It's a mental sin based on the physical sin (of which both can condemn a person). So again, fantasizing about sorcery can condemn just as much as the physical act of sorcery. Sure, physical sorcery is far worse and it opens a person up to demonic activity on a much greater scale, but fantasizing about sorcery also has its own demonic influence, too. Why? Because it is an abomination in the sight of the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
#5. They think that just because certain forms of entertainment has helped them or their family in some way, it must be good. The devil is not dumb. If he can get people to follow a helpful way or seemingly beneficial way to solve their problems, he will give them what they want as an appearance of something good that is not really good. It is a false way of good that is also filled with corruption and evil.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14).
#6. We are told to love not the world and neither things in the world. (1 John 2:15-17). For if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Why would one want to straddle the line on this passage in defense of a hollow worldly pleasure that offends God?
#7. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says for us to pick up our cross, and to deny ourselves and come follow Him. It does not sound like a person is doing that if they are still holding on to the idols that this world worships and loves. Remember what Jesus said about the lukewarm church? He spewed them out of His mouth.
Conclusion for me:
"Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way." (Psalms 119:104).