What are you wearing for Halloween?
You MUST wear the FULL- ARMOUR of GOD
In this video, we will dig in and talk about Halloween.
What is Halloween? How is it celebrated? Should Christians and even non-Christians partake in it?
Halloween is a practice originated from the west. We already know that Halloween is an old practice wherein different ages, cultures and religious settings have added elements to it. It's name 'Halloween' is linked to the Christian festival of 'All Hallows' or 'All saints', which is celebrated on November 1. Traditionally, it's a day for the church to remember with joy the lives of the saints and martyrs who have gone to heaven before us. Yet, as years gone by, many ideas and practices were added to it such as pagan traditions and non-Biblical ideas which the church innocently and compromisingly embraced , such as praying for souls that were believed to be not yet in heaven or preparing offerings for the dead. Also, there was a believe that the spirits of the dead would roam the earth until All Saints day and that on Halloween they would take their last chance to have revenge on people they disliked. That is why people would dress up, so the spirits would not recognize them. In addition to that pagan tradition, people would play games trying to find out about their futures.
For the past 20 years, the entertainment industry has really taken over. Decorations and customs that are really gruesome, and horror stories and movies have become part of the celebration. It became a festival wherein frightening and disgusting stuff are used to entertain.
Do you believe that spirits of the dead can roam around the earth?
It is not biblical that spirits of the dead could roam around. After physical death, they'd depart physical or natural world, and would face God's righteous judgement. God will assign them a place, either heaven or hell. (Please READ Luke 16:19-31). Spirits of the dead cannot bother us. They do not need our catering, our prayers or our guidance in any way, and we are never to fear them. The Holy Spirit living in us is strong and alive.
(Colossians 1:12-14) says, "… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son"
It is also clear from the Bible that Christians should not think of evil as entertainment. We are told not to interact with evil spirits.
We should not believe in fictitious characters, like zombies and be frightened by them. Our God is stronger than anything in the created world both visible and invisible.
John 4:4 says, "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
And, (1 Romans 8: 38-39) says, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, (…) nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I hope this has opened your eyes about the danger of participating Halloween. During that day, witches, warlocks, sorcerers and all demonic forces would intensify their power to destroy or harm who they would want to be harmed. They would fast and do rituals. Christians would pray and fast and so are those workers of darkness. They are also religious or devoted to their god, Satan.
We should not be blindly following the crowd, the trend. Everybody's doing it does not mean it is right or morally good.
There's this innocent first-time sip of alcoholic drink which would turn into addiction….alcoholism----that would lead to unhealthy lifestyles, health problems and rehabilitation. Same goes to marijuana, cocaine, nicotine, etc. It all started with a simple innocent single sniff that has a long lasting negative effect.
Our curiosity should lead us into something better, not worse. The moment we give our lives to JESUS, His blood covered all our sins and cured our spiritual blindness. We are no longer blinded by sin anymore. Moreover, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit became our counsellor. He constantly guides us to do what is pleasing to God.
Nevertheless, we are giving the demonic force legal rights to attack, enter, control and destroy us. How?
JESUS Christ enters into our hearts by knocking on our doors. We opened the door and let Him in by our own free will.
However, Satan as deceitful as he is does not enter the same way because he is a thief. A thief does not knock on doors. He would secretly and illegally enter your house through your unsecured or unlocked windows or holes on your walls if there are any. Lastly, he would open your doors by force especially if you are not on guard or aware. The deceitful Satan would make us believe on lies, blinding us.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." – Matthew 16:19
Our physical actions have direct consequences in the spiritual realm. Likewise, spiritual actions would manifest or take into effect in the physical realm. That is the reason why cities that practice witchcraft, immorality and all kinds of abomination have higher crime rates.
Demonic forces are territorials. Each cities have ruling prince or principality because Lucifer is the prince of this world.
Yet, JESUS already overcomes the world.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
And, JESUS gave us the power and authority to trample snakes and scorpions.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he[b] loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
"Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like Him. Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.
Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should ever be mentioned among you. Nor it is fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God. You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry) will ever receive a share in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God's anger will come upon those who do not obey Him. So have nothing at all to do with such people.
You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness and truths.
Try to learn what pleases the lord. Have nothing to do with worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead bring them to the light.
Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are the evil days. Don't be fools then but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.
Don't get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Ephesians 5:1-18)
Let's pray….
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the chance to know you better and for Your love, mercy and grace. You want our fullness, our freedom, healing and deliverance. By your shed blood on the cross, all things are possible. We can not imagine, the power and authority of Your name in heaven and earth as You had overcome the world and so You want us to inherit and apply those freely given gifts so we can fully enjoy heaven here on earth. As you are seated in the right hand of God, you have seated us with you, we now take over and decree and declare that Your words shall prevail. No weapon forms against us prosper. No fear, no intimidation, no doubts, because You are the Lion in the tribe of Judah…we roar with You and the enemy flees. Seal this prayer in Your most precious name and we plead Your blood over our family, territories, and the works of our hands. Let this season be filled with habitation of your divine power, signs and wonders just like the cup overflows and the rivers of water get-in and out from Your heart to your people. In Jesus' name Amen.
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