Many popular books marketed to children contain hidden messages that go against Scripture. This workbook helps families:
Recognize occult themes disguised as fantasy
Understand why Yahuah forbids these practices
Develop discernment when choosing books
Find better alternatives for family reading
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." - Ephesians 5:11
1What Scripture Says About the Occult
Yahuah's Clear Commands
"There shall not be found among you anyone who... uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto Yahuah."
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12
What These Terms Mean:
Divination: Trying to know the future through supernatural means
Enchanter: One who casts spells or uses magic
Witch/Wizard: One who practices sorcery or magic
Charmer: One who uses spells or incantations
Familiar spirits: Demons that communicate through mediums
Necromancer: One who tries to contact the dead
Why Does This Matter?
When books make these things look fun, exciting, or heroic, they teach children to:
See forbidden practices as acceptable or desirable
Desire supernatural power apart from Yahuah
Open their hearts to spiritual deception
Blur the line between good and evil
The Real Issue
It's not just "make-believe." These books teach a worldview - a way of seeing reality. They say: "Magic is a neutral tool. You can be a 'good witch.' Power comes from within yourself."
Scripture says the opposite: All supernatural power is either from Yahuah or from demons. There is no neutral "magic."
Think About It
1. According to Deuteronomy 18, witchcraft is:
Family Discussion
2Harry Potter Series
What's Really Being Taught?
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Author: J.K. Rowling
Summary: A boy discovers he's a wizard, attends magic school, and battles an evil wizard.
Popularity: Over 500 million copies sold worldwide
Occult Elements in Harry Potter
Witchcraft & Wizardry: The entire premise celebrates what Scripture condemns
Spells & Incantations: Characters cast spells using Latin-based words
Divination: Characters study fortune-telling as a school subject
Necromancy: Ghosts, talking to dead, "resurrection stone"
Potions: Magical drinks with supernatural effects
Astrology: Star charts used for divination
Spirit possession: Voldemort possesses others
Hidden Messages
"Good witches" and "bad witches" - magic is neutral, it's how you use it
Authority figures (Muggles) are foolish; children know better
Breaking rules is often rewarded
Power comes from within yourself, not from Elohim
Death is not final; can be cheated or reversed
"Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." - 1 Samuel 15:23
What Yahuah Says
There is no such thing as "good witchcraft." In Scripture, ALL witchcraft is from the enemy:
The witch of Endor was condemned, not praised (1 Samuel 28)
Simon the sorcerer had to repent (Acts 8:9-24)
Converts burned their magic books (Acts 19:19)
Think About It
1. Can someone be a "good witch" according to Scripture?
2. Harry Potter teaches that power comes from:
Family Discussion
3His Dark Materials / The Golden Compass
Anti-Yahuah Agenda Revealed
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Author: Philip Pullman
Books: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass
Summary: Children travel through parallel universes to ultimately kill "God."
Extremely Dangerous Content
Philip Pullman has openly stated his purpose. He said:
"My books are about killing God."
"I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."
Anti-Biblical Elements
"The Authority" (God) is portrayed as a weak, lying tyrant who must be killed
The Church is the main villain - cruel and deceptive
Original sin is portrayed as good; "the Fall" was a good thing
Rebellion against Yahuah is the heroic goal
Daemons (animal spirit companions) represent the soul - a demonic concept
Witches are heroes who help the children
Death releases you to become one with the universe (no judgment, no heaven/hell)
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness."
- Isaiah 5:20
Underworld mythology: Greek afterlife replaces biblical truth
"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3
"For all the gods of the nations are idols: but Yahuah made the heavens." - Psalm 96:5
What Scripture Says About "Other Gods"
The "gods" of mythology were not imaginary - they were demons masquerading as gods:
"They sacrificed unto devils, not to Elohim; to gods whom they knew not" (Deuteronomy 32:17)
"The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils" (1 Corinthians 10:20)
When children learn to admire these "gods," they're admiring demons!
The "Gateway" Effect
Percy Jackson often leads children to:
Study Greek mythology extensively
Admire and "choose" a favorite god
See polytheism as exciting and valid
Question why they should only worship one Elohim
Think About It
1. According to Scripture, the "gods" of mythology were:
2. Learning to admire Greek gods can lead to:
Family Discussion
5How to Evaluate Any Book
The Philippians 4:8 Test
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
- Philippians 4:8
Questions to Ask About Any Book
TRUE: Does it present truth or deception? Does it contradict Scripture?
HONEST: Is it straightforward or does it have hidden agendas?
JUST: Does it show right and wrong clearly, or blur the lines?
PURE: Is the content clean? Does it glorify sin or forbidden practices?
LOVELY: Does it point to beauty and goodness?
GOOD REPORT: Would you be proud to tell Yahuah you read it?
VIRTUE: Does it encourage godly character?
PRAISEWORTHY: Does it honor Yahuah or dishonor Him?
Red Flags in Children's Books
Magic, witchcraft, or sorcery portrayed positively
Fortune-telling, astrology, or divination
Communication with the dead or spirits
False gods or goddesses as heroes
Rebellion against parents/authority celebrated
Children wiser than adults consistently
"You have power within yourself" messages
Good and evil are relative or blurred
Practice Evaluation
Think of a book, movie, or show you've seen. Evaluate it:
Title: ________________________________
Does it pass the Philippians 4:8 test? Why or why not?
Family Activity
6Better Alternatives
Books That Build Faith
You don't have to choose between boring books and dangerous ones! Here are excellent alternatives:
Christian Fiction & Fantasy
The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) - Christian allegory with Aslan representing Yahusha
The Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) - Classic allegory of the faith journey
Hinds' Feet on High Places (Hannah Hurnard) - Allegory of spiritual growth
The Door Within Trilogy (Wayne Thomas Batson) - Christian fantasy adventure
Biographies of Believers
Hero Tales series - Stories of Christian heroes
Christian Heroes: Then & Now series - Missionary biographies
The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom)
Any biography of William Tyndale, George Müller, Eric Liddell, etc.
Historical Fiction
The Bronze Bow (Elizabeth George Speare) - First century Israel
The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt (Scott O'Dell) - Tyndale's Bible
Amos Fortune, Free Man - Historical fiction with faith themes
Little House series - Wholesome pioneer life
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105
The best book of all is the Bible itself!
Family Activity
7What If You've Already Read Them?
Grace and Moving Forward
Maybe you've already read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or similar books. What now?
Remember: Yahuah's Grace Is Greater
Reading these books doesn't make you unredeemable! Here's what to do:
Acknowledge: Recognize that these books contain things Yahuah forbids
Repent: Ask Yahuah to forgive you for filling your mind with this content
Renounce: Reject any attraction to witchcraft, magic, or false gods
Replace: Fill your mind with things that honor Yahuah instead
"And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men."
- Acts 19:18-19
A Serious Decision
The believers in Acts burned their magic books. You may want to consider:
Getting rid of occult books, not just putting them away
Removing related items (wands, costumes, posters, etc.)
Not watching movies/shows based on these books
This isn't about "earning" salvation - it's about removing things that pull your heart away from Yahuah.
Personal Reflection
Is there anything in your life (books, movies, games) that celebrates what Yahuah forbids? What will you do about it?
Family Activity
8Review: Standing Firm
Being Set Apart
What We Learned
Scripture clearly forbids witchcraft, sorcery, divination, and consulting spirits
Harry Potter celebrates what Yahuah calls "abomination"
His Dark Materials was written specifically to attack faith in Yahuah
Percy Jackson presents false gods (demons) as admirable
Philippians 4:8 gives us a test for evaluating all content
There are many excellent alternatives that build faith
Yahuah offers grace when we repent and turn away
"Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
- Romans 12:2
You Will Be Different
Making these choices means you'll be different from many of your peers. That's okay! Remember:
"You are a chosen generation" (1 Peter 2:9)
"Come out from among them, and be separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Yahusha said the world would hate His followers (John 15:18-19)
Being different for Yahuah is an honor, not a burden!
Final Review
1. According to Scripture, witchcraft is:
2. The best test for evaluating books is:
3. Being different from the world for Yahuah is:
Celebrate Discernment!
Answer Key (For Parents)
Lesson 1:
Q1: An abomination (something Yahuah hates)
Lesson 2:
Q2: No, all witchcraft is forbidden | Q3: Within yourself and learning magic
Lesson 3:
Q4: Undermine belief in Elohim and kill "God" | Q5: Heroic and good
Lesson 4:
Q6: Demons pretending to be gods | Q7: Questioning why worship only one Elohim
Lesson 8:
Q8: An abomination to Yahuah | Q9: Philippians 4:8 | Q10: An honor