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Throughout history, when people witnessed strange phenomena which they could not explain, they often regarded them as “works of the devil”.
Discoveries like electricity, electromagnetism, radio waves and the fact that the earth is round were not readily accepted by the general public. Some early scientists were erroneously suspected of witchcraft. Conversely, in primitive cultures, educated shamans have been known to use scientific knowledge to frighten ignorant masses into submission. |
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Today, even in our “sophisticated” western world, there are well-meaning groups and individuals who are quick to label seemingly impossible events as “satanic”, when they haven’t done their research! Teaching out of ignorance is foolish. True teaching must develop from actual knowledge or experience—not just ignorant speculation.
Today’s stage magician is an actor and an entertainer. He combines optical illusions, scientific principles, hidden gimmicks, manual skill and psychology—to create illusions in the minds of the spectators. Stage illusions are essentially “special effects”—similar to those in motion pictures and television. (This is also true of “mentalism”—the illusion of mind-reading, psychokinesis, etc.)
Theatrical magic and illusion help cultivate a “sense of wonder”—a healthy quality which many people in our cynical society have lost.
We live in a “world of illusion”. We are surrounded by illusions. Some are harmless. Some are beneficial. But some are not good at all.
God gave various creatures their own “natural camouflage”—illusions designed to protect them from predators. People use illusion by dressing so as to appear slimmer, and many wear deceptive undergarments to create “false figures”. It is common practice for people to dye their hair and beards, inject collagen or Botox into their lips and faces, and to spend thousands on make-up, dental facades, and cosmetic surgery. These are all illusions. Some of the most devious uses of illusion are in marketing. Deceptive packaging (especially rampant in the food industry) makes it appear that we are getting more than we really are. A goal of most advertising and sales pitches is to create the illusion that we cannot be happy or fulfilled without a specific product or service.
Some illusions are dangerous—even deadly. And some have eternal consequences!
Society and culture are infected by an invisible “world system”—twisted mores and mentalities which are full of dangerous illusions. This “way of thinking” affects many areas which we encounter and interact with every day—including politics, education, commerce, literature, science, the arts, music, law, communication, the media and technology.
The Bible—God’s inspired Word—has much to say about this evil “world system”. Jesus Christ called Satan “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31 and 16:11). The apostle Paul referred to Satan as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). The apostle John explained that “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). In that same letter, John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 3:15-17). Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds...” (Romans 12:2). James wrote, “...Don’t you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God?” (James 4:4).
The Bible makes it perfectly clear that the “world”, and all that belongs to the world [system], moves in a direction away from God. So the Christian dilemma is not so much whether something is “right” or “wrong”, but whether it is part of Satan’s “world system”, or part of the kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul instructed us to “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12).
Because Jesus Christ is my Savior and King, I oppose Satan and his world system—including the occult or witchcraft. It is tragic to see even well-meaning people ensnared in demonic deceptions, as they look for spiritual answers and spiritual power in the wrong places.
A Final Note: Some sincere Christians have a problem with the word, “magic”. Yet, like many words, “magic” has more than one meaning! Let me ask you this: Is it okay for a Christian to be gay? It’s not only okay, but desirable—if we are referring to the definition, “happy and cheerful”! Is it okay for a Christian to be a magician? Again, yes—if we are referring to the definition, “a person who is expert in the art of illusion and sleight of hand”. Dave King is a Christian magician and illusionist. |
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Copyright 2008, Magiking Productions—San Antonio, Texas. All rights reserved. |
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Dave King—Comedy Magic and Illusions |