As a former teacher, invoking the name of Harry Potter was like stirring up a hornet’s nest. I spent years trying to find out what made students tick, probing with topics to ascertain where their allegiance lies. To my surprise, some of the most apathetic, passive and timid individuals, transformed before my very eyes with the slightest mention of Harry Potter. Enraged with passion, any criticism of this wizardly magician resulted in anger as if I was picking a fight with their baby brother.
Before I go any further, I don’t want to share my opinion on this issue. Rather, I seek to confirm God’s words to the Israelites. The Lord is starting anew in the Old Testament, introducing a set of boundaries and guidelines for the Jews to adhere. This moral compass served as basic civil laws so that citizens would treat one another as God desired. Under a section of instructions on social responsibility, Moses writes down God’s own words in Exodus 22:18, “do not allow a sorceress to live.”
This leads one to ask, “what is a sorcerer and why does God specifically refer to a female, not a male?” According to Webster, a sorceress is a witch. Meanwhile, a sorcerer is someone who claims to or displays magical powers known as an enchanter, warlock and wizard. Now if James 2:9 speaks out against showing favoritism, Exodus 22:18 eludes to both men and women. Therefore, sorry Harry Potter, you’re wrong for what you practice, even in a fictional series, for God is jealous, seeking our complete attention, not just when we feel like it or want to, Exodus 20:3-5.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 