Minions and Monsters
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:” (Psalm 101:3)
The latest in the “Despicable Me” film series features the minions using a book of spells to summon a monster to make a movie. (Balao, Neia, “The Satanic panic around the new ‘Minions & Monsters’ movie — and why some parents are calling it ‘corrupt’” 7.6.2026 1:13, yahoo.entertainment) Some criticized the open display of occult activity, especially in a kids’ movie. To others, it is no big deal. So what problem, if any, is there with fictional minions summoning a fictional monster using a fictional book of spells?
One obvious problem is that while the movie is fictional, occult activity is not. It is real, and the Bible condemns it in the harshest terms. God told Israel before they entered the Promised Land of Canaan,
“When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
People in Canaan practiced the occult, child sacrifice, and vile sexual behavior. For these reasons, God drove them out of the land. God did not want Israel to learn these behaviors. That is why He said, “…thou shalt not LEARN TO DO after the abominations of these nations.” The scene in the movie was not an occult lesson per se, but it does present wicked ideas into the minds of impressionable children.
Will kids take up occult practices because of this movie? Whether they do or not, the scene of calling on a monster was an illustration of behavior God did not want Israel–nor does He want anyone else–to learn.
Occasionally a broadcaster may make a spontaneous inappropriate comment, perhaps during a sporting event. He may receive backlash, as he should, because people who talk for a living should know to watch their words to avoid needless offense. The occult scene, however, was not spontaneous. It was written into the script, and the producers knew kids would watch it. Did none of them at any time realize it was a bad idea? Could not the monster have come, say, from the sea, outer space, or a radioactive mishap?
Jesus warned, “It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend (entice to sin) one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:1-2) Even if they mean no harm, those in the entertainment industry would do well to consider how their work can affect young minds and hearts.
The entertainment industry is a business. It exists to make money, and when money is all that matters, it should be no surprise when companies produce wicked material: “For the love of money is the root of all evil;”(1 Timothy 6:12) Hence the warning in our verse to be careful of what we let ourselves see and hear.
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again because He loves us. To see how to have your sins forgiven and eternal life in heaven by receiving the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 7/17/2026
