I don't watch any movie or TV show, nor play any game that promotes occult magic as a good thing. I've received a lot of backlash about this, from Christians and non-Christians alike. "Don't you think you're taking things too seriously?" "It's all fake anyway." "It's harmless fun." Statements like those make me boil with anger hotter than a witch's boiling pot. Since when is it okay to pick and choose the parts of the Bible we live by? Since when is it okay to fill our minds with evil, just because we're not actually doing the action? ("Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8)

I feel like it's very disrespectful to our God to lay our eyes on evil for entertainment. There are many times throughout the Bible when He points out his stance on magic, in both the Old and New Testaments:

"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?" -Isaiah 8:19-20 (NIV)

"When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you." -Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (NIV) (Emphasis added)

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." -Revelation 2:18 (NIV) (Emphasis added)

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factionsand envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." -Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) (Emphasis added)

I think it's quite obvious that God doesn't enjoy sorcery. In fact, it angers him! But you say, "I'm not actually practicing sorcery, Mikalah! I'm just watching it. Gosh."

Well, my darling, is it helping you fix your thoughts on what is pure and lovely?

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." -James 4:4

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." -Ephesians 5:11 (Emphasis added)

TAKE NO PART. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

I just threw a bunch of verses at you. But I think the point that comes across is clear. The Bible clearly condemns magic and our taking part in any kind of evil. We are to set our minds on good things. And I don't think Harry Potter-or anything else that promotes magic as a positive thing- helps us do that in any way.

I know none of us are perfect. That's why we need Christ; because none of us can perfectly follow the law. But out of most of the things God is against, not taking part in magic is probably one of the easiest. I pray that you will dig into this subject a little more, and try to determine for yourself whether or not watching evil media is something that honors our Lord.