Spiritual Warfare Against The Spirit of Fantasy

I have been quite disturbed recently over the level of fantasy taking over the Christmas Season. I know that their has always been the standard level of make-believe associated with Christmas i.e. Santa Claus, flying reindeer, talking snowmen, etc. However, it seems recently that this spirit of fantasy has taken on a greater role in today’s culture and this Christmas season. I have witnessed this with all the new video games and TV specials, even movies. My heart grows heavy this morning, as I write this post, thinking about the newest Disney movie, FROZEN, that has garnished much acclaim and accolades. I confess that I have taken my family to see this movie and I must also admit that I enjoyed the movie. It’s imagery was very spot on for the European culture it was representing and the music was quite catchy. So catchy in fact that from only watching the movie one time my children have already learned the entire chorus to “Let it Go” and sing it constantly in my home.

And that’s just it! That’s how the Spirit of Fantasy gets in. It alludes to another dimension and lures us to what the Apostle Paul called the “doctrines of devils” (see 1 Timothy 4:1). Using fantasy, the Devil can preach and disseminate his own agenda. Back to the movie and the one song for a moment; I was shocked when as I listened to my children sing “Let it go, Let it go, can’t hold it back anymore….I don’t care what they’re going to say, let the storm rage on, the cold never bothered me anyway”. So, whatever you think you are, just let it go. If you are a homosexual, just let it go and don’t worry what anyone else says. It’s ok to be cold and dreary on the inside. This is how the Spirit of Fantasy begins the Devil’s work of pervading both mind and soul of the people.

Now I know that I am going to receive comments about how we cannot take everything so seriously and that sometimes it is alright to let our children have a childhood where they can still dream the impossible and all that. And, please understand, this post is not a rant against Disney or a spiritual review of the Frozen movie. This is a reminder that we are in a battle of Spiritual Warfare: “For 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 the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 NKJV). The Spirit of Fantasy seeks to destroy any and all truth; this includes the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in so doing it leaves the people perpetually lost, never having a hope of anything that’s real. Only the truth can set the people free and break the magical powers of fantasy. (see John 8:32)

There is a great story in the Old Testament describing this spiritual warfare between truth and fantasy:

1 Samuel 5:1  Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. 4 And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

Dagon, a Philistine God and Syrian Goddess, was an interesting figure indeed. The head, chest, arm and hands were that of a woman while from the chest down it had the torso of a fish (Jamison, Faussett, and Brown). Does this description sound familiar to anyone? Yes, indeed, Dagon was an ancient figure of the contemporary mermaid. Phoenicians, historically, were known for their sailing endeavors and all throughout Phoenicia, this God was worshiped. I am sure the sailors loved this fantasy; the hope of seeing a beautiful woman swim up from under the sea to meet them.

In 1 Samuel 4, we read that Israel lost a battle with the Philistines and their loot included the Ark of God, representing the divine presence of Jehovah. Now, in ceremonial defiance, they put the ark next to their idol, Dagon, just beneath him to show that Dagon is greater than the God of the Israelites. However, during the night, the spiritual warfare began and it ended with Dagon prostrating himself before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Again, in a sign of superiority the priests of Dagon set up their idol to tower over the ark. In the night, spiritual warfare took place again and this time the head, which represents the wisdom of this spirit, and the hands, which represents the works of this spirit were cut off from the body and were found all the way by the threshold. Can you only imagine the type of spiritual warfare that took place in those midnight hours? Leaving the wisdom and the works of this Spirit rolling and crawling to the doorway in an effort to get out. Wow! 

Truth will always reign over fantasy. But this war is not over yet, the evening battles rage on. The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to remind the Church that it was to be the pillar of truth (see 1 Timothy 3:15). The church of Jesus Christ cannot afford to remain silent against the Spirit of Fantasy, otherwise, we will lose an entire generation of young people to the worlds ideals, leaving them in chains they cannot break free of. Only the truth can set them free. This generation needs the church to stand up for and teach the truth. No more playing games! No more subscription to tolerance and compromise! No more fantasy!!!

This Christmas Season, spread the truth of Jesus born to set men free. It’s not a tall tale but a powerful weapon. 

Related articles

• When Dagon Bowed Before God (sherrigragg.wordpress.com)