Magic, Witches and Fairies
What about magic, witches and fairies in children’s books and movies?
by Shari Abbott, Reasons for Hope* Jesus
Question: I am the mother of 2
young children and I find that everywhere I turn, they are being inundated with
magic, witches, fairies, etc., even in otherwise innocent children’s stories.
I know the Bible is very clear that we should
have nothing to do with these things, as far as participating in them, but what
about all the children’s books, movies, etc that contain these things?
It seems almost unavoidable,
even Christian writers such as CS Lewis write about such things.
Should they be avoided or is
there a less “legalistic” stance on allowing my children exposure to these
things?
Can it be used as a teaching
opportunity? I hope my questions makes some sense.
Magic, witches and fairies, oh
my!
I love the concern of this mother and
the fact that she doesn’t want to completely shelter her children from the
world around them.
It’s important
that children experience the world while still under the authority, instruction
and guidance of their parents.
This mother takes
very seriously her role in training her children in the ways of the Lord.
Her expressed
concern about protecting them from the dangerous messages of the world is of
utmost importance, and yet she also realizes that they need to learn about the
world in which they live and enjoy some of the fun and fantasy of being a
child.
It must be a
balancing act and it must be appropriately “tailored” to each individual child.
I believe there
are many secular books, TV shows, movies, and other media that children can
enjoy and from which they can learn valuable lessons.
In fact, that was
the point of Kirk Cameron’s movie, Saving Christmas. We should be able to
participate in the celebration of Christmas and enjoy the festivities even
though society has tried to change it into a secular holiday.
Eliminating
Christmas celebrations, because the holiday and its festivities were not
celebrated by the early church, can be detrimental for children.
We live in a
world, in which most people celebrate Christmas (the true meaning or the
secular holiday).
To ban children
from participating in some of the secular celebrations can alienate children
from their peers and create a misconception about the Christian faith.
Please don’t hear
me wrong. I do think that there are some Christmas holiday activities that
parents should not allow (and some in which adult Christians should not
participate).
It’s important
that parents discern if an activity in any way dishonors God or the true
meaning of Christmas.
If not, holiday
activities that celebrate the joy and love of family and friends, and involve
no sinful activities, should be appropriate and can even be beneficial.
To criticize such
celebrations can appear to non-believers that we are condemning them and might
even cause them to think we consider ourselves better than them.
That will be
detrimental to our testimony and to their understanding and hearing about the
true meaning of Christmas.
The mother who
raised this question expresses a legitimate concern about the content and
quality of a lot of media that is created for children.
There is no doubt
that some media is produced with the primary goal of marketing and sales,
rather than the goal of educating, inspiring and maturing children.
Some media will
teach children the exact opposite of what God says in His Word and is there for
dangerous for nurturing children in their faith.
There is no simple
answer to this mother’s question.
In the times in
which, parents must make every effort to review and evaluate all messages their
children hear and see. That creates a great time burden on parents.
However, when it
comes to media, we can be thankful that there are many reputable, reliable resources
to help ease that burden.
Focus on the
Family is a great resource for reviews of all types of media using a Christian,
Bible-based perspective.
Focus on the
Family was founded in 1977 and since that time has proven to be trustworthy and
Bible-based in what their reviews and teachings.
However, even with
their time-proven faithful record, they are human and can err so always test
what you find against what Scripture says. The Bible is the final
authority in all things.
Remember that the
Bible does speak against magic, sorcery and related things and sternly
warns about engaging in such things (Exodus 7:11, 8:7, Leviticus 19:31, Isaiah 57:3-4,
Jeremiah 27:9, Malachi 3:5, Acts 8:9, et.al.).
Parents must be
discerning about everything their children see and read, but the extreme
caution of banning children from all secular media can be dangerous too. It
can isolate them from their peers.
Children seek to
relate to their friends (to “fit-in”) and they need to be guided in how
to do so. Banning all secular media will not prepare them to
enter the world.
They will be
confronted with non-biblical messages and it might be best to allow them to see
some while a parent is able to explain and teach the dangers and lies of such a
message.
Banning secular
media that contains fantasy can also rob children of one of the pleasures of
being a child. Children should be allowed to be children. Children delight
in mystery and fantasy.
It is the duty of
parents to protect and guide their inquisitive and imaginative minds and decide
what is age appropriate and beneficial for their learning—and most importantly
what will promote Christ-focused, Christ-honoring, Holy Spirit-guided living.
There are no easy
answers to this question, because all media varies greatly.
Parents, take the
time to review the material to which you expose your children. Endeavor
also, to the best of your ability, to review material to which they are exposed
to outside your home.
Your best defense
against the lies the world teaches is prayer.
Pray that God will
open your eyes and your understanding and give you the right words to teach your children
about both the ways of the Lord and the dangers of the world.
Pray that God will
protect your children from the lies of the world and that He will open their
ears to hear His truth and soften their hearts to receive His love and
guidance.
Paul spoke of the
maturation process that is supposed to occur:
“When I was a child, I spake as
a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a
man, I put away childish things.” (1
Corinthians 13:11)
The world is doing
its best to make children grow up too fast.
Parents must be
determined and diligent in helping children learn and mature in age appropriate
and biblical ways. Remember, if we don’t teach children God’s truth, the
world will teach them lies.
The world is also
advancing another grave danger by promoting child-like behavior in young
adults.
Remember,
Paul said, “when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Becoming an adult
is chronologically defined, but the emotional definition is becoming very
blurred.
Many young adults
think and act in ways well below their chronological age. They don’t
appear to want to “put away childish things.”
There seems to be
a “Toys-R-Us” mentality (Remember the advertising jingle, “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys-R-Us kid…”)
Sadly this is
happening with some young adults.
Parents, do your best
now to lay the groundwork for your children to grow and mature into adulthood
as God-loving, God-fearing, God-honoring Christians.
Pray always,
remembering that God loves your child. Trust completely that God will work in
them according to His purpose and plan.
And … enjoy your
time with them. They grow up so fast and are gone so quickly.
As Dr. Seuss so
wisely said, “Sometimes you will never
know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
God never calls us
to do something for Him that He does not empower us to do if we are willing to
do the work and time. Take the time to get to know God in an intimate way.
Your purpose on
earth is to shine God’s love to a lost and dying world.
Open your ears and
your heart to the Lord and be excited about your new future serving Him in
spirit and truth.
God has made it
possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life.
Serve Him.
Wait on Him.
And expect … for
He is able to do much much more than you can ask or imagine.
Settle that sin
issue ...
“Father God, I confess I
am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I
now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to
You.
Please forgive me, and
help me avoid sinning again.
I believe that Your Son,
Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and
hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become
the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank
You that according to Your Word, I am now born again.
Please send Your Holy
Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. I
promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me
for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray.
Amen.”
RELATED POSTS:
CLICK HERE . . .
CLICK HERE . . .
CLICK HERE . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment