FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP-ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
We are in one of those times of the year again when it seems that devil worship has displaced the worship of the true and living God. As a result, many people are celebrating Halloween. And if you are wondering about the meaning of Halloween, it originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when the witches and wizards would ply their trade, and people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
It was first celebrated in the spring of the year, sometime around May 31st, but it migrated into the fall and was celebrated on October 31st. Then, in the 7th Century, Pope Boniface IV, in his attempt to offset the occasion with a religious celebration, connected it with All Hallows – All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st. Eventually, the triple word All Hallows’ Eve got shortened to Halloween, as we know it today. So the celebration between the two days is celebrated on the Eve of October 31st and November 1st.
Halloween retained its pagan trappings mixed with the religious in its historical development, but ghost worship still dominates. So, these days, as the leaves turn to orange and yellow, temperatures drop, and people start to pull out sweaters and jackets; all kinds of strange costumes are displayed. And many feel that it is time to deck their homes with pumpkins and strange carvings. Halloween shops are opened, and in many stores, particular areas are designated for Halloween displays and goods. Many parents prepare their children for Trick or Treating involving frightening fun and party games. And at the same time, many adults find an excuse to sip on boozy cocktails, all to celebrate death and ghosts.
If you do not mind my harsh criticism but have taken careful note of what I have described above, you might assert with me that the devil is trying to take hold of the minds of humanity through bizarre demonic celebrations. What I am speaking of is not what some call paganistic celebrations in some far-off lands, where people proclaim that they are making a blood covenant with Satan. I am speaking of what is happening in our supposedly enlightened world, where the demonic is pushed with such sophistication that we think the celebrations are fun. But many do not know they are making a pact with the devil. But they are taking pledges that enslave and make them agents of the forces of evil.
If you are one of those who have participated in any of these outrageous celebrations, let me tell you that they are paths to demonic control of your life. Do you need to care about my advice? On the other hand, if you are one of those praying that God will keep you from the evil hour, then you need to take what I am stating with seriousness. As the Apostle James reminds us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Of the above text, commentator Charles John Ellicott states, “The hardest advice of all, to a man reliant on himself, is submission to any, more especially to the Unknown. But, as a correlative to this, the Apostle shows where pride may become a stimulant for good, viz., in the contest with the Evil One.”
However, commentator Matthew Henry says more clearly:
Since all wars and fighting come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers which will not allow content or satisfaction. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer and the working of our desires toward God. And let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the heart when prayers are granted. . . The proud resist God: in their understanding, they resist the truths of God; in their will, they resist the laws of God; in their passions, they resist the providence of God; therefore, no wonder God resists the proud. How wretched the state of those who make God their enemy! God will give more grace to the humble because they see their need, pray for it, are thankful for it, and such shall have it. Submit to God, . . . Submit your understanding to the truth of God; submit your wills to the will of his precept, the will of his providence. Submit yourselves to God, for he is ready to do you good. If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armor of God and stand out against him, he will leave us. Let sinners then submit to God and seek his grace and favor, resisting the devil.
I cannot speak more clearly than these two commentators of any games being played with the devil. All I need to encourage is that if you have read this reflection, you take care that you do not so enjoy the fun of the devil’s celebrations and make yourself an agent of the devil. The devil is looking for helping agents, any who will be obedient to him. He will use their help, even if they will mix what they are doing with a little religion.
