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When Harry Met Satan

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It seems that the world has gone wild about Harry again...because the one-two combination of the movie/book release has put the spell of Potter-mania on the muggle world - driving the multitudes to the multiplexes and boatloads to the bookstores.

No matter how you feel about the 'rightness' or 'wrongness' of reading/watching the adventures from J.K. Rowling, it is pretty much impossible to miss the gi-hugous part of culture it's become over the last several years. It seems like everywhere you turn there's a Harry here, Harry there, Harry Potter everywhere.

Almost like magic!

The latest film installment is The Order of the Phoenix, which evidently is considered one of the weakest in the series - but I personally see it as the critical turning point where the mostly-innocent-whimsical-magical world of the Sorcerer's Stone has disappeared in the rear view mirror as a much darker and troublesome landscape enters our horizon. From the opening scene to the climactic ending battle, quidditch matches are replaced with heavy duty fighting, and the seemingly inseparable trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione hit the rough seas of adolescence and many a storm breaks out.

Yet one thing definitely remains the same - which is the overarching 'good vs. evil' theme that keeps boiling down to deeper levels of eeeeee-vil and raising up higher and higher stakes each time. Obviously Voldemort is back (once again mostly missing a nose...is there just not enough cash in the budget to give the poor guy at least a CGI schnozzola???)

Without giving too much away, I noticed a key element in The Order of the Phoenix fantasy world that instantly connected with the calling of the Christian in the real world. In the film, Harry forms a group called Dumbledore's Army, basically because the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher is completely worthless and is actually hurting the students' chances of successfully fighting Voldemort and his army. In a nutshell, Harry is running his own 'Defense' class so he and his friends are prepared for the imminent attacks that are sure to come.

Again, this is fantasy. Dumbledore is fantasy. Hogwarts is fantasy. Voldemort's nose is fantasy (o.k., I'll let it go).

What is NOT fantasy is the battle against real evil and the real attacks that are coming your way in a real world near you. So you need your own defense against - not dark arts - but Satanic attacks. These assaults have plagued the human race since the-man-without-a-bellybutton and his (literal) better half named Eve ate from the WAY wrong tree (i.e. Genesis 3). For thousands of years the children of God have been in the crosshairs of Satan, and it is only going to get worse.

Fortunately, you don't need to be a whiz kid or even a wizard for that matter to defend yourself. In fact, the Bible lays out our Defense Against Satanic Attacks in one passage:

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

This isn't a frog spawn-potion-divination kind of thing. In fact, this isn't magic at all. This is a spiritual exercise intended for every day use...armor, rinse, repeat. If you don't, you're as vulnerable as a first year Hogwarts' student at a Death Eater family reunion. And if you don't get that reference, read: 'easy target'.

So here's how not to be fish in a barrel for the Devil and his army. Start each day prayerfully and wholly committed to telling the truth, living right, being ready to share the gospel, trusting God in everything, remembering your forgiveness, and having a fist full of Scripture at the ready when the lies of the enemy come flying at you from every angle.

And most of all, keep in constant communication with Christ, because without prayer, the best defense in the world falls flat on its face.

So whether you're a Potter-Maniac or just a casual observer, remember the real battle you are in as a Christian, put on your armor, and fight in the power of God. I guarantee that if you do, the action/adventure of the Harry Potter series will pale in comparison!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

We need to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) to protect us against Satan's attacks.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

If I lived in the world of Harry Potter, I would be on my guard all the time against Voldemort and his army so I wouldn't get attacked by surprise. I'd be looking for evil at every turn, and I would think through how I would respond if it came my way. Of course, I don't live in the Harry Potter world. But I do live in the real world, where I need to be on my guard all the time against Satan and his demons and looking for evil. How about you?

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Below are detailed explanations¹ of the armor of God. Read through each one, then think through/jot down ways that you can make each piece a part of your life.

1. The Belt of Truth

   The belt tied tightly around the waist indicated that the soldier was prepared for action. To slacken the belt was to go off duty. The "belt" served an essential purpose. It gathered in the short tunic and helped keep the breastplate in place. The sword also hung from the belt. The belt of truth around our waist is said to be the truth of the gospel and the truthfulness of God and His Word. The belt of truth protects us from false teaching and false living. Truth is found in God's word and we must hold on to it. Is our doctrine and beliefs completely in line with the truth of God's Word?

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness

   The heart protector. The breastplate secures the vital organs and shelters the heart. Holiness, godliness, uprightness and integrity of character are all part of being righteous. We put on the righteousness of Christ which fortifies the heart against the attacks which Satan makes against us. We have no fear when we are living a righteous life. Our hearts are protected and we remain strong in God. Is there any sin in our lives we need to deal with or is there any area where we need to make changes so that we are living a righteous life?

3. Feet fitted with readiness

   The army boots of the soldier was described by Josephus as "shoes thickly studded with sharp nails" so as to ensure a good grip. For the believer it is the readiness to go out at any moment to announce the Good News to others. We need to be ready in season and out of season to share the Gospel message with others. Are you ready? Have you been trained how to clearly communicate the Gospel message?

4. Shield of Faith

   To cover all the rest, we are to take up the shield of faith. We hold up the shield in front of us for protection. We must have faith in God. With this shield the believer can extinguish the fiery arrows from Satan. We can quench the flames with our shield to keep the fire of Satan's work from spreading.

   The breastplate protects the vital organs, but the shield we turn in all directions. Our enemy the devil is wicked and he tries to make us wicked. His temptations are called darts, because of their swift flight, and the deep wounds that they give to the soul. Faith will cause all of Satan's darts to be ineffective so that we might be effective for Him. Do you understand who God is so that you can totally put your trust in Him?

5. Helmet of Salvation

   The helmet is the hope of full salvation. We must know that our salvation with God is secure. Christ died for us. With our salvation secure in Christ we can have boldness and assurance in our relationship with God and keep our minds from being polluted by Satan. Knowing our salvation brings us comfort and peace. Do you know for sure that Christ is in your life?

6. The sword of the Spirit

   This is our only offensive weapon that is part of God's armor. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. As Jesus used the words of Scripture to repulse the tempter, so must the Christian use the inspired Word of God to drive away Satan. Jesus said that we do not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Scriptural arguments are the most powerful arguments with which to repel temptation and render Satan's tactics ineffective. How well do you know God's Word so that you might use it as an offensive weapon against sin and temptation?

7. Prayer

   We must remain alert as a soldier in Christ through prayer. We must keep watch as we prepare for battle as well as pray during the battle. At the critical hour of spiritual battle, prayer support is most required. Through all this we need to stand firm. Are you praying about everything? Are you giving all the issues in your life to God in prayer?

¹Selected sections of the Expositor's Bible Commentary and Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Armor of God