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Halloween...
I’m sure
you’ve noticed that Halloween is quickly becoming the second most
celebrated holiday on our American calendar. If you’re like me you’ve noticed the
growing number of lights and lawn “decorations?” They’re approaching Christmas
proportions! Christmas is a
celebration of Jesus and the light!
Halloween has strong roots in paganism, the occult and Satan
worship. It’s a holiday that
glorifies the “dark” things of this world, rather than the “light” of
Jesus Christ.
Costumes
and masks are getting bloodier, gorier, and more depraved each year. Unfortunately, the gruesome, grotesque
and the occult are increasingly glorified in our culture. Not just during the Halloween “season,”
but throughout the year in horror movies and in TV programs.
Halloween
provides Christian parents with an excellent opportunity to talk to our
children about spiritual things.
They are seeing evidences of spiritual warfare on the front lawns
of their neighbors. “Why don’t we
have one of those cemeteries in our front yard daddy?” Explain to him why. “I want a scarier costume this year
mommy!” Talk to her about why
you’re not excited about scary.
If your
children are frightened by the décor of the season remind them that Jesus
wants them to be safe and not afraid.
Encourage them by sharing how Jesus is stronger and more powerful
than any ghost, monster or evil being they may encounter this
season. Pray with them asking the
Lord to protect them from all evil and harm.
Memorize
I John 4:4 together … “Greater is He that is in you … than he that is in
the world.” Explain the
verse: If Jesus lives in you, you
have no reason to be afraid! Jesus
is greater than the devil. Play a
little game with you kids. Every
time you see a Halloween decoration driving in the car
quote the verse together with your children.
As
Christian parents we can use these decorations and our culture’s
obsession with the dark side to teach our children that "our fight
isn't against occultists, non-Christians, or institutions that promote
Halloween, but" "against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts
of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). And that Jesus is greater than our enemy
the devil.
Because of families,
Bruce
R. McCracken, Ph.D.
Founder /
President
House on the Rock Family Ministries
Here’s a link worth scanning …
http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html
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If you
found this information helpful, we have made other Pebbles of Truth articles
available on our website (www.hotrfm.org). Each month we feature
articles on the topics of: men's issues, marriage, blended families,
parenting, and church ministry to families. You will also find a
great deal more information about House on the Rock Family Ministries!
Thanks for visiting.
Please
feel free to forward this to friends and family … we just ask that you
keep it intact … thanks
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