Magic

We Christians get so uptight about magic. And I don't get it. I'm reading about Moses and there's nothing but magic. Constant miracles, God speaking to him through storms and burning bushes and magic in front of Pharaoh. So let's get real "magic" and "tricks" are benign. The real issue is who is using magic, why and for what purpose? Are we as parents teaching our children discernment? Because that's what is needed. We need to explicitly talk about how Satan and those that follow him use "tricks" and "magic" to demonstrate that they have power and entice others to join them. The enemy is going to use any means to get people to corrupt their lives and their walk, he uses food, music, work all things that God has deemed good. But God uses "magic" too. We just label them as miracles, so then there's no issue for us as Christians. It's craziness! Why do we villanize magic, it in itself is not the problem. The evil is in the heart and purpose behind the magic.

I think we Westerners are just so fearful of all the ways in which God works. We are terrified of the mystical and mysterious aspects of God because we crave control and having it all figured out. We have bought into the lie that everything is matter and that there is no spirit. We've let is seep into Christianity and the church. Historically the great saints did not deny miracles and "magic" as a way that God can work too.

I went to Universal Studios and visited the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was wonderful. (I can imagine the anger rising in people now). The buildings were masterfully built with great artistry and that is a gift from God. The rides, the details were cute and enjoyable and fun and God wants us to have fun in life. There did not appear to be any attempts to lure people into witchcraft or sorcery and even if there was it's my job as a parent and a believer to use discernment. I can appreciate what honors God and the gifts he gives people even when it is right next to the enemy's attempts to corrupt people. The burden lies with me to beware, use eagle eyes and identify the difference. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I can read books like Twilight and Harry Potter and watch the movies and not allow the enemy to rope me in.

No doubt there are some believers and some people that are vulnerable and not every child can handle some of these things, nor can every adult. That is why a conversational, living relationship with the Holy Spirit is so crucial to getting through this world. The Holy Spirit will tell you what you can handle and what you can't. He will convict, he will guide, he will counsel but are you listening? Am I listening? And then am I willing to obey. Because God is a good parent and he sees the differences in each of us and knows that we all need to be led, disciplined and guided in different ways.

So let's not get freaked out about magic. Let's freak out about relationships with the living God that will tell us what we can handle and what we need to steer clear of.