This morning the world learned that the “Charlie, Charlie” game has been nothing more than an elaborate marketing ploy for an upcoming movie, and those who scoffed at the game are sure to be wallowing the glee of vindication. However, this raises a few questions for the Christians who issued warnings against playing it, and it raises even more questions for those who did play and believe they had some sort of supernatural experience through two pencils and piece of paper.
First off, let me state that I believe in demons and that they are active and present in this world. I believe for two reasons: 1.) My Bible told me so, and 2.) I have had some experience in that realm. In other words, I am incredibly and unapologetically biased. With this in mind, let’s dive right in.
Q. Can this possibly been used to contact real demons if it was simply a marketing ploy?
Simple answer – Yes.
Longer answer – What we need to bear in mind is that demons are not waiting for an engraved invitation to wreak havoc in our lives. In fact, they are eagerly waiting for an excuse to mess with us. They don’t care if you are calling them by their specific name, using the proper spell or ritual, or if you even realize that you have opened the door for them. They just want in your life.
So how do they know they can come in? Two ways, which ultimately boil down to one way, but I will make the distinction for clarities sake.
1.) You actively seek out an experience with the demonic. This can take several forms such as Ouija board, tarot cards, astrology, “Bloody Mary”, “Candy Man”, “Light as Feather”, and “Charlie, Charlie.”
The first three items are on the list because they are forms of divination, and divination is nothing more than seeking out hidden knowledge from a source other than God. Aside from the fact he said don’t do this, it is also a clear demonstration of a lack of faith. It is telling God that we do not believe he will take care of us or inform of the things we need to know. It is placing our desire for information above our desire to guard the relationship we have with him.
If you think this scenario sounds familiar, you are right. It was first played out by Adam and Eve as they listened to the words of a snake and sought out knowledge apart from the God who created them and walked by their sides in the garden. We will never know what might have happened if they had taken their questions to him, if they had trusted him to provide the answers they needed. Instead, they betrayed his trust and introduced death into this world.
The last four are on the list because they were designed to do nothing but introduce a spirit of fear into our lives.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” Romans 8:15
Notice the wording. I will spare you the in-depth lesson in Greek. It is enough that you know that this is not simply an emotional reaction, the Bible clearly connects the feeling with spirit and, even, bondage that is only overcome through our Father’s mercy and love.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18
So if we love God perfectly or are even making the attempt to grow in that love, why would we invite fear into our lives?
2.) We invite demons into our lives through disobedience, which is exactly what playing these sorts of games is - disobedience. Each and every time we reject God’s authority over our lives to do as we wish we are inviting demonic forces to take his place. Now, I know that we come up with a hundred and one reasons we are bending the rules to get our way, but the truth is we are just being rebellious – and do you know what the Bible equates with rebellion?
Yeah, that would be witchcraft. And what do witches do? They play with demons.
(And just in case you were feeling a little smug about the fact you did not play the “Charlie, Charlie” game, let me help you with that attitude. Speeding, cheating on your taxes, fantasizing about the cute girl/guy at the gym, and feeling smug – all forms of disobedience and rebellion, and therefore, types of witchcraft.)
Q. So were Christians right to issue a warning when it all turned out to be movie marketing?
A. Yes, because no matter what the source of the ritual, participants are sending out a message to the demonic realm. 1.) We will put your words above God’s. 2.) We are not living under the reign or authority of God and willingly rebel against his command.
Q. Don’t we look like fools for getting tricked into a reactionary response?
A. Yes, but if you are truly living your faith according to Scripture looking like a fool should be standard operating procedure. It is the price of admission – we claim to serve a zombie, people! We look crazy to the outsiders, just accept it and go on. Life gets much easier when we do.
Q. How do demons know the right answer to the questions?
A. Got me, and it is not really something I worry about. However, since a lot of people do, I should offer this caveat. Demons only know partial answers and they lie. Basing any life choice on their revelations is dangerous and stupid.
There is Jewish story about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife that tells a bit more than what we have recorded in the Bible. While I cannot claim it is factual, it serves an excellent lesson.
It was said that Potiphar’s wife consulted a medium (fortune teller, witch, soothsayer, etc.) concerning her future. She was told that she would have a child with her husband’s Hebrew slave named Joseph and the child would be the start of a great nation. In her excitement and desire for glory, she pursued Joseph shamelessly and when she was rejected accused him of rape. After Joseph is released, reunited his family, and raised to second in command of all Egypt, the Pharaoh presents him with a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera who was traditionally believed to be the same Potiphar whose wife attempted to seduce Joseph. (Genesis 41:45)
The moral of this story is that the words of the demons who speak to mediums may have some element of truth, even a sense of the future, but it is never to be trusted.
Q. So what do I do if I (or my child) played the game?
A. You ask God’s forgiveness for seeking another before him. You repent and refuse to engage in further behavior like this. And this I believe is the most important part – the Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. So you fill you home and life with his presence through authentic praise of who he is and what he has done so that you might know him. If your child has played this game, explain to them these principles and share with them the stories the Biblical stories of victory over the demonic. Do not communicate fear, but rather celebrate the fact Jesus has defeated the enemy. Discuss the need for self-control and empower them to stand against the darkness through knowing God through his Word.
Q. Have I completely destroyed my relationship with God by playing?
A. No. You just set it back a bit, but God has promised forgiveness and restoration for all who seek him out. To say that he will not do this for someone who has played this game is to deny the power of the cross, so cling to the truth of his love.
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