Should a Christian Dabble With the Occult?

[Darris McNeely] A Beyond Today viewer sent us a question, "Is it right for Christians to watch horror movies and ghost television series?" It's a good question. Often it comes in because we deal with such topics on Beyond Today. The simple answer, and the direct answer, is no, it's not right. It's not right for a Christian. I don't think it's right for a person of any faith, or anyone for that matter, to engage in any degree in the movies, media, culture—all we have today dealing with the occult—whether it's witchcraft, sorcery, vampires or whatever the dark side of life might present to us. I think that whenever we get involved in that, that we are allowing something to enter into our lives that is of a different realm and a different kingdom and something we should not have anything to do with because it is a very, very real presence.

[Steve Myers] I think the thing we forget is we confuse entertainment with reality sometimes. And the occult is real. And over and over and over again the Bible deals with the occult and says this is something we can't have any part in. We cannot partake in those kinds of things. And so Christ dealt with demons, He cast out demons. He told us that we have to avoid witchcraft and sorcery at all costs. And so is that something that we should say, "Well, it's okay if it's entertainment"? And I think we confuse that and we've got to come to the fact, to realize that's not acceptable.

[Darris McNeely] Yeah, so much of the occult and the dark side of this spiritual kingdom of darkness that the Bible references is treated today as something that's, as you say Steve, part of entertainment, innocuous, it's kind of just innocent. No, it's not innocent. Not in any degree. Not to any length should a person allow that to come into their lives. I think when you look into the Bible, you will see that God condemns every form of sorcery, witchcraft, dealing with the occult or this kingdom of darkness that it describes. And it is associated with every evil work and God has nothing good to say about it.

[Steve Myers] No He doesn't. In fact, in Ephesians 6:12, don't forget what we're up against. You know, as God's people, as Christians, He says, "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 heavenly places." So we don't want to soft-sell that. That is a real thing and we are fighting spiritual forces of evil. And so we do not want to accept that into our life in any way.

[Darris McNeely] Not at all. And you know, I know this is going to offend some viewers and some are going to get rankled at this because it's, again, become such a dominant part of our culture. And it's not looked upon as anything that is wrong or evil—almost, as they say, entertainment. But quite frankly, the question comes down to do you want to engage yourself with God's kingdom, a kingdom of light? Or do you want to engage yourself with Satan's kingdom, described in the Bible as a kingdom of darkness? The question is yours and it's up to you.

[Steve Myers] Absolutely, and in fact, just over in chapter 5 verse 7 it lists a whole range of things we can't participate in and certainly sorcery, witchcraft, those kinds of things would be included. And the Apostle Paul says in verse 7 chapter 5, "Therefore, do not be partakers with them" (Ephesians 5:7). So that doesn't mean we should watch them. We shouldn't be a part of them. We shouldn't include them in our life.

[Darris McNeely] Look, get your mind wrapped around God's Kingdom. Put your time, your life there. It's going to be far more productive. It's going to have a far greater benefit to your life in the long run. Avoid any of the works of darkness.

[Steve Myers] That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.