The mainstreaming of witchcraft is on the rise. In fact, there have been a number of stories in the media about witches putting hexes on President Trump since his election. The wife of Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady, assists him with numerous pre-game rituals. And it might be interesting to ask your teen girl whether she's heard about any of her friends using emojis for spell casting.
There a new show coming to Disney –– "The Owl House" –– set to premiere tomorrow on the Disney Channel. It’s geared for kids and it explicitly introduces them to the key elements of witchcraft. The main character, Luz, is a self-assured teenage human girl who accidentally stumbles upon a portal to another world, where she befriends the rebellious witch, Eda.
Witchcraft and spellcasting are often neutralized by labeling them as "entertainment." We describe them as just "fantasy and fun.” But "The Owl House" is way, way beyond the deep magic of Narnia. We are now normalizing actual, real witchcraft. And that is scary and dangerous.
How can Christians wisely respond, without over-reacting or under-reacting? Here are 6 point for you to consider.
1. Explicitly warn your children not to visit a psychic, engage in spell casting, do astral projection, use tarot cards or Ouija boards.
Christian parenting is changing. Ten or twenty years ago, having discussions with children about these issues wouldn't have been on most Christian parents' radar. But now it's a necessity. Parents need to initiate intentional conversations with their kids about these popular forms of witchcraft and the importance of avoiding them.
1 Peter 5:8 says,
"Be alert and of sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Just as Jesus has a plan and purpose for your child's life, so does the enemy. We need to train our children to be alert to Satan's schemes to destroy their lives and distract them from serving the real God.
2. Discuss with your children what to do if they encounter witchcraft at someone else's house or at school.
In my experience as a deliverance minister, I have found that the demographic most likely to be introduced to witchcraft are junior high girls at a sleepover. It's not uncommon for psychics to be hired for Halloween carnivals as "entertainment."
Christians parents need to understand that spell casting is more prevalent than they probably realize. So it is important to have the 'exit" discussion with your kids and help them to develop discernment about spiritual counterfeits.
3. Consider whether you are unintentionally normalizing witchcraft in your home by allowing children to engage with it under the banner of “entertainment."
Here are a few questions to ask yourself along these lines:
How are your children processing books they are reading about spell casting, including Harry Potter?
Are your children playing games that encourage spell casting? Examples may include role playing games, and even Pokemon cards.
Do your children understand the real spiritual and physical dangers of spell casting?
Are you allowing your teens to watch paranormal television shows or horror movies?
These seemingly innocent activities CAN become gateways for curiosity, causing some children to want to explore deeper. Especially when the surrounding culture says that magic can be employed for good, and even social justice.
4. Another question to ask yourself: Have you (the parent) ever engaged in witchcraft?
I am seeing more and more Christian women on social media engaging in the practice of burning sage as a way to "cleanse the energy" in their house. I am going to be blunt about this: that’s a form of witchcraft.
If a Christian moves to a new residence, it's perfectly fine to want to cleanse the house of any remaining demonic activity. I've seen the necessity for this on multiple occasions in ministry. However, the solution to that problem is not burning sage. It's simply to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to sweep the house clean in the spirit realm so that you and your family can reside peacefully there.
If you've engaged in these practices in the past, ask God for forgiveness and make a commitment to not do it again. That's what repentance looks like. You might also take some time to explain to your children that you have changed your mind about these practices and why.
5. Be sure your child understands that the power behind witchcraft is real.
For many, the allure to witchcraft is rooted in the high they get from the manipulating the world around them. Witchcraft partners humans with the power of demons to control the physical realm. Demons are real. And, you can summon them. It can be quite intoxicating for some to feel this kind of power.
But we must be sure that our children know that Jesus has disgraced these powers and subjected them. Colossians 2:13-15 says this:
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Are demons powerful? Yes. BUT Jesus is more powerful.
6. Teach your children the proper way to seek wisdom and comfort: to ask the Holy Spirit.
I have seen many people get damaged, and even traumatized, when they get involved with witchcraft. They can experience terrible nightmares and contract odd illnesses.
Isaiah 8:19-20 makes it quite clear that the proper way to ask for guidance in our lives is to ask the Lord, not to consult psychics:
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?
There is only ONE spirit that will not harm you, and his name is HOLY Spirit. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead! And He lives in each one of God's people. We are a walking, talking Temple of the Most High God!
The reality of a spiritual world working against us is clear. Take the time to teach your children how to say "no" to modern day witchcraft.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:10–18)