Welcome back to another episode of The Gospel According to, where we connect song lyrics and quotes from all the fandoms with bible verses and truths to enrich our walk with the Lord. This week we’re back in Harry Potter world, visiting Hermione Granger’s life motto: “When in doubt, go to the library.” Enjoy!
Fandom: “When in doubt, go to the library.” – Ron Weasley, describing the character of Hermione
Verses: “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
Nugget: The Bible is our road map for life, the ideal place to turn for advice and direction.
The Bible is the library of God.
I had a youth pastor in high school who used to call the Bible “la biblioteca” (library in Spanish). I suppose that would have made him the librarian? At the time, this seemed mildly annoying, but now I realize, it kind of fits.
Let’s think about it for a second: the Bible, at least the Evangelical Protestant edition, has 66 books. That’s certainly a decent collection for a personal library. And within that collection are a wide variety of different topics, genres, authors, and writing styles. All that’s missing is the Dewey Decimal System!
What does this mean for us? Like Hermione, we have an entire range of books in our own “library” from which we can seek knowledge, advice, comfort and more.
Not a bookworm? Check out these posts about the four Hogwarts houses!💖💛💚💙
Finals week? Spend it at the library😸
How to Hermione Granger 😉
Hermione is one of the strongest female protagonists I know, and most of that is due to her knowledge and wisdom. She’s characterized as someone who is always curious and eager to learn, equally willing to share her knowledge with others. Both Harry and Ron are quick to claim that they wouldn’t last long on all their adventures without her. Here’s how we as believers can Hermione Granger:
Spend as much time as possible at the library
Hermione is always spending time at the library, but she practically lives there anytime final exams are coming up. In the same way, we should rely even more on the Word when something difficult is coming or we’re going through a trial, whether academic or otherwise. Here are some verses for encouragement during finals week and other trying times:
- “Casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
- “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will not permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Internalize and put to use the knowledge you gain
Many times, when Hermione visits the library, she’s looking for a specific fact or piece of knowledge. Spending time there, she discovered how to make Polyjuice Potion, who Nicholas Flammel was, and even the history of Lord Voldemort. Here are some verses that talk about the value of practical knowledge and wisdom:
- “Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.” Proverbs 10:23
- “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
- “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25
Not only does Hermione know a lot, she also uses her knowledge throughout the series in practical ways.
Help those who are struggling
Another thing Hermione is known for is helping Ron and Harry with their homework – constantly. She eventually gets tired of helping them, but Hermione’s desire to see them reach the right answers, whether for their edification or her own satisfaction, is admirable. This helpfulness is also present in her founding of S. P. E. W. and Dumbledore’s Army, which functions in part as a study group. In our case as believers, this translates to sharing verses we’ve memorized with newer believers and giving Biblical advice to those who may be struggling with their faith. Here are some verses along those lines:
- “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1 Thess. 5:14
- “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8
- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Hope you’ve enjoyed this post about Hermione Granger’s “When in doubt, go to the library.” If you did, please share this post with all your peeps using the graphic below. And let me know how you like to spend time in the “library” of God!
Happy fangirling!
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[…] Here’s a post I wrote inspired by that famous quote! […]