Walking Therein

Posted By Jacque on October 14, 2008

[Warning, some links may not be suitable for children.]

To Bible Believers living in a world that is steeped with pagan culture and sins, being passed onto us as welcome and neutral. I have learned that nothing is neutral. Jocelyn has presented us with another challenging post about magic. It is being done in response to a couple of polls she did, and in reference to the stand she has taken about media that involves any form of sorcery or magic and witchcraft.
How timely is this subject, with halloween right around the corner? Another deeply occult and pagan religious holiday that Christians have no problems partaking of out of ‘tradition‘ and habit. Take some time and read about this deeply religious holiday called Samhain in the religion of Wicca – witchcraft.

[From Wiki: Other characteristics of Wicca include the ritual use of magic, a liberal code of morality and the celebration of eight seasonal-based festivals.]

I am writing this article in direct response to some comments on Jocelyn’s post. If you do not know me or our family very well, you may wonder under what authority I suppose to write about this topic? The first is being a Bible-believer. The second is that we know the LOTR and CON well, as we have read, watched, discussed and studied them in depth for a couple of years. We were HUGE LOTR fans.

I honestly do not know why it happened. The LOTR was brought home and played while I was away, and from then on, it was welcomed into our home, where it had previously not been. We were always very careful in what we let the girls watch when they were little, but we became lax. We failed. Since we have realized this, through God’s grace, we are correcting that error.

Sylvia asked the question on Jocelyn’s post: Magic For Pleasure, about all forms of magic (in the manner of sorcery) being supernatural. I do agree that magic, apart from sleight of hand magic, is using a supernatural power.

Exodus 7:11
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Daniel 2:2
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

Magic is referred to in the Bible as pertaining to those who use supernatural powers to be like gods or to know things that only God knows or to connect with spirits or direct the future. Magic is referred to as being used by sorcerers.

A Few points about magic, the supernatural, and the Bible:

#1. The supernatural means it is above the natural and not of our material world. It refers to spiritual powers, not natural ones that we humans have.

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.

#2. We know that there are 3 entities that have spiritual powers: God, angels and devils [or demons].

God has ultimate control over all. Humans obviously can be given supernatural power, but it must come from somewhere. It comes from God or the devil.

Luke 4:6
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Matthew 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

#3. God’s powers are good, as are his angels’, who do His will, and the devils’ powers are evil.

#4.  The Bible is the inspired WORD of God and all things in it are for our benefit.

2Timothy 3: 16-17

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

#5. We are not to add to the WORD of God.

Revelation 22:18-19

18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

#6. C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien, whether they were Believers or not, were not writing their novels as Bible Studies.

Tolkien wrote LOTR in relation to what he saw in WW2. He himself said that LOTR was NOT an allegory to the Bible. C.S. Lewis wrote CON as a story.

We are not to consider these books as equal to the Bible, nor are we to overstep Biblical principles to call them good and say, “Well, they can be edifying.” An optimist can find the good in anything, but that does not account it to being Godly.

#7. God did not attribute good to any idols or sorcerors in the WORD.

The Bible does not give good, Godly supernatural powers to devils or idols. The characters in LOTR and CON are pagan idols and witches and wizards. Are you telling me that God would attribute Godliness to these creatures? That is what you are saying. Gandalf is a wizard. Oreus is a minotaur. Tumnus is a satyr. The most famous satyr is Pan. If you want to do a study on evil, study Pan.

One problem with reading books that are “good” magic is that it desensitizes human beings to the spirituality of magic. It becomes something that is relative and natural to them in their flesh. Have you ever heard of the frog in the kettle? Why is it you think you are above that? God said that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Galatians 5:9
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

By desensitizing children to Pan through Tumnus, we are opening a world to our children that the devil will try to get into. [don't you know he will? His goal is to take us from our God]. One day, there will be a moment that he will have to choose the real essence of Pan, and will he remember the cute little faun Tummnus, or will he know the evil of Pan?

1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Why in the world would Disney, who includes magic, rebellion, teen pop culture, and all sorts of sin in their movies make the CON movies? They don’t care about the Gospel or Godliness.
Revisit the links Jocelyn had in her original posts and see the truth behind Disney and Pan.

1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:  8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

#8. We are to give God the glory in all that we do.

Isaiah 43:7
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We are to live our lives “in the LORD” in all things.

2 Corinthians 10:17
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

The so-called good magic in these books may have a God-like twinge in them, but they do not give the glory to the One True God. They give the glory for these powers to the characters in the stories. We are not victorious, nor is our God because Peter won the battle or because Frodo and Sam putthe ring into Mount Doom and destroyed Mordor.

One thing that came to mind when I was reading the final Scripture I am putting in this article, Ephesians 4, was Gandalf speaking the Black Tongue of Mordor, the evil tongue, the curse of Mordor. We are told this:

“29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. ”

Does that mean we shouldn’t read or hear what we shouldn’t speak? It does.

God did not distinguish magic in relation to participating in “Good” magic.

We have already established that the Bible says that sorcery is evil and equated with the magicians, and the astrologers [Daniel 2:2], (false) prophets, diviners, dreamers, and enchanters [Jeremiah 27:9]. Revelation also speaks of them with the whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie who will stay outside of the gates of heaven.

What happened when Simon wanted to have the powers of the Holy Spirit, which is, of course, a good spiritual force?

Acts 8:9-24
9But 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:
10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

In his own heart and mind, Simon just wanted to give the power of the Holy Spirit to Believers. He felt, in his own heart, that his motives were pure and Godly. I do not know why Peter said he was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of sin, but Peter discerned it.

Peter told him his desire for this supernatural power was evil, sinful. The man had been a sorcerer before he met the LORD, and this fleshly side of sorcery/magic was seen by Peter as evil. If the power is not given by a Holy God IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, EVEN FICTION, it is not Godly, but evil.

Why as Christians would we not want to direct the Believer to Our Holy God, the Creator??

Matthew 9:8
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Revelation 22:12-21
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

BIBLE First?

If we truly place the WORD above all other literature and avenues of edification and Biblical knowledge, why are we reading other literature for Biblical truths when our knowledge of the Bible is so small? By small, I mean that we [especially young adults, but all of us] can not have read enough of the WORD to be able to grasp its every lesson. Why then are we looking to other Bible Studies and allegories in the first place, instead of just putting the Bible in its proper place and learning God and Biblical truths from it alone?

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

1Corinthians 1:25-31
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Who among you read LOTR or CON for edification? Come now…. you read it for entertainment and knowledge of the text, not Godliness. And, if you use it as a Bible Study, why not just use the Bible instead?

Let me add that I am tired of the Body of Christ believing that reading whatever is fine. Christian romances are not honoring to God. Reading about others’ sins just so we can read about their victories is not excuse to submerge our souls in sinful thoughts and read about sinful feelings and choices. Think about it. Should I read a romance novel that tantalizes my flesh so I can be thankful the main character made the right choice? The same goes with any type of movie or book that glorifies magic.

“I Paul, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…”

Let us remember to what we are called as Believers in the crucified and resurrected LORD Jesus and Our Father God the Creator:

Ephesians 4
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20But ye have not so learned Christ; 21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Do we love the LORD or do we love our literature? Do we love the LORD or do we love our Freedom in Christ? Do we love it that we can argue our side eloquently or DO. WE. LOVE. THE. LORD?

Let us BE the Body. Let us put our Faith where our GOD is and our hearts where the WORD tells us, and let’s STOP MAKING EXCUSES!

blessings,

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A Former Witch Looks At LOTR

Abstain From ALL Appearance Of Evil

Forbidden Love: What Lines Does Our Faith Not Cross?

Black or White?

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Tumnus & Pan

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The Devil’s Dangerous Distractions

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Categories: In These Last Days, Oh Father, Help Me Live Biblically, Training Hearts ~ Parenting, Wisdom from the WORD
Tags: Chronicles of Narnia, disney, Halloween, Lord of the Rings, satanism, witchcraft