Have you seen the Campbell soup commercial about the two brothers playing a video game. The one where their mom calls them to eat. One video game monster says to the other, "Don't worry. They'll be back. They need us." Then the monster whispers, "I hear footsteps," obviously convinced it was the kids coming to finish their game. As the mom turns off the video game, you hear "Oh no! It's the mom!"
Most find this commercial amusing, maybe enough to write "Campbell's soup" on their grocery list. Seeing nothing odd about it. After all, kids playing video games are commonplace scenes in our society.

Now consider this next scene: children, maybe your younger brothers or sisters, are playing in the school yard. They are running around, waving sticks in the air. Summoning spirits by screaming, "Spirits enter me." Across the nation, this scene too is commonplace.

Why would kids do that? Where were they taught this?

According to Berit Kjos website (http://www.crossroad.to), government schools from the Pacific to the Atlantic are teaching students pagan formulas for invoking "angelic" or "demonic" spirits through multi-cultural education, popular books, movies and television shows. But video and role-playing games, such as Poke'mon, have only attributed to the problem.

Since the release of the Poke'mon trading cards, children have been stabbed and beat up by classmates, demanding Poke'mon cards. Young adults have stolen money from their mothers' purses and others have broken into houses. All to collect the Poke'mon trading cards.

“Once we realized the demonic force involved with Poke’mon, we banned everything from our home. At first, the kids were resistant, but after we flooded them with information concerning how and where Poke’mon derived they were very open to doing what was right in the sight of the Lord,” Joni Lamb, mother of three children,. says.

As you log onto the Poke'mon website, you find the objective of the game spelled out for you. "Welcome to the world of Poke'mon, a special place where people just like you train to become the Number-One Poke'mon Master in the world."

What is a Poke'mon? A Poke'mon is an unbelievable creature that its own unique fighting abilities. One of these creatures can grow and transform into an even more forceful creature. There are currently 150 types of Poke'mon.

How do you become the Number-One Poke'mon Master in the world? In an episode, the boy hero, Ash, had seized his fifth Poke'mon. According to his mentor, he had to catch a lot more Poke'mon if he wanted be a Poke'mon master. The mentor told him that the more Ash caught and trained, the more power Ash would have for future battles. From this, clearly you have to catch all 150 Poke'mon to gain number-one status.

How does Poke'mon and other video and role-playing games affect your mind? By giving you a seductive vision to become a Poke'mon master. As a Poke'mon master, you are guaranteed supernatural powers. Just as an addict, the more you get, the more you need. To top it off, after every episode of the Poke'mon television series, you are commanded "gotta catch 'em all."

On the Berit Kjos website, Susan Gavano, also a mother of three children, states "From what I hear, he [her son] and two other out of the 23 children in his class are the only ones who aren't addicted to it. No one at his school now is allowed to bring in their Poke'Mon cards, it got too out of control."

On the Poke'mon website, you will find tips, explanations and ads that encourage you to express the darker side of human nature. You will be able to link onto other occult games, such as Dungeons and Dragons. “The children's pastors at our local church sent some information home about ‘Poke’mon’ and their concern as to what these little creatures represented. They had pulled descriptions of the different characters off of the Poke’mon website and I was shocked to read some of the alarming names and functions of these pocket monsters,” Joni Lamb comments.

In these types of games, you become the master. Similar to contemporary witchcraft, you wield your power. Your arm, mind, Poke'mon or other action figures are the channel for spiritual forces. Christians are taught to say, "Thy will be done" whereas in these types of games, the player is taught to say "My will be done."

To win, the player must follow the rules. Obedience is mandatory and is validated by instant rewards or positive reinforcement. After repetitive practice, the player now knows that if he obeys, he will be rewarded. He develops new habits and eventually the player learns to de-value life and will think of murder, robbery and assault as normal behavior.

Joni Lamb warns “Poke’mon deceives and distorts clear cut issues of what is right and wrong. Poke’mon takes seemingly innocent creatures and gives them power to give you power and delve into a spiritual realm full of darkness.”

As Christians, how should we determine whether a game is occult? First, what does the game teach you? About power? About magic? About God? About yourself? Look for obvious and subtle messages. Second, does it have anything to do with supernatural power? What is the source of that power? Does it agree or oppose with God says in the Bible? Third, what does it teach about violence or immorality and their consequences? Fourth, does the game have symbols or characteristics that link it to New Age or occult powers? Fifth, does it build godly character?

Remember that God tells us in Phillipians 4:7-8, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Once you've been involved with Poke'mon or occult role-playing games, you must do the following:

1) get rid of the trading cards, video games, taped episodes--anything with Poke'mon on it.

2) you must repent of your involvement in the occult. God says in I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Ask God to wash you in Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross and cleanse your from your sin.

3) you must not become involved in the occult again. Don't start watching the Poke'mon television series again or hang out with people who are Poke'mon traders.

Don't take my word for it, research Poke'mon for yourself and ask God for wisdom concerning it. James 1:5 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Pray for God's guidance. He will never steer you wrong.

Annagail Lynes
http://visionhope.ontheweb.com