Bible Comments

Do you believe in magic?

Part 1

As a child I was enthralled with the world of make believe. I couldn't wait to see a Disney movie. I was glued to the television when Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, or any of the other magic filled shows came on. There has been no shortage of such stories. Before they were in movies and t.v. they were in books of fairy tales. In time there even came about cartoons and games with the same theme.

Like the true books of the bible many of these stories and games tell of the fight between good and evil. Unlike the true accounts in the bible the heroes use magic. They do not call on God in heaven or the name of Christ to save the day.

Adults will say they know this is only make believe. Especially when so called holly rollers start speaking out against Harry Potter, Pokemon, Dungeons and Dragons, and others in the long list of magic filled entertainment. Many say "It's just make believe. It's just harmless fun." Many of these same adults raise their children to believe in this world of make believe. They smile and tell them "Santa will come down the chimney." "The easter bunny is hiding eggs." "The tooth fairy will put money under their pillows." "Tinker Bell will die if you don't believe in magic." Children do grow up not just believing in magic. They are raised to do so.

I not only believed. I wanted it. I wanted to be, even prayed to God, to make me a warlock. I wanted to use that magic to save the day. And, like the saying goes, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." I not only saw myself saving the day. I got that evil grin and saw myself exacting childish revenge on bullies. Look back to your childhood memories or listen to children at play. When the play turns to magic there is a little talk about using it to fight evil. Then comes the ambitious talk of what they would do if they had powers. How much money, cars, and other material things they would have. What they would do to their teachers or anyone else that crossed them. The desire to be in total control and to be revered. Not so harmless.

What God says

Long before parents were speaking out God was giving commandments on the subject. He knew the dark arts corrupted people. God knew if people were exposed to this evil then they could, like Anakin Skywalker, go to the dark side. The matter is so grave God gave this commandment.

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. KJV

"Suffer" is the old English word for Allow. God also gave these commandments

Deuteronomy 18:10 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, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. KJV

Such things destroy peace

2 Kings 9:22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? KJV

Not just make believe

This may surprise some people. Some who practice witchcraft aren't just saying words that have no effect. Things really do happen. First look in the New Testament.

Ephesians 6:12 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

Now let's look at just two of the examples from the Old and New testaments.

Exodus 7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 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. KJV

Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. KJV