Learn 2 Discern in October — Part V
We’ve been talking this month about learning to discern the different voices we hear in our lives. Sometimes, it’s like living in fog. How to tell them apart, and what their source is. Man’s voice only looks from an earthly perspective, but still has another source. God’s voice speaks of His love, mercy, kindness, and strength. We talked of “mob” violence. That’s always the devil’s voice. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy. That’s his goal. #Learn2DiscerninOctober #thedevilsvoice #Godsvoice #Halloween #Jewishsynangogueattack #Pittsburghsynagogueattack @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
I’m writing this on October 29th. Halloween is coming up. I won’t judge you for “celebrating” witchcraft and satanism’s high holy days…with costumes for the kids and trick or treating. You do what your conscience tells you. If you don’t see evil in assisting their worship by your harmless fun, that’s up to you.
Many don’t even believe the devil exists. And yet, we see his handiwork every day, in violence, murder, sexual perversion, and hatred of all kinds. These things happen in October because those who unabashedly serve the enemy pray for their release. They fast for their “lord.”
I Thessalonians 5:17 says “…reject every kind of evil.” NIV In NLT it says, “Stay away from every kind of evil.” ESV says, “Abstain from every form of evil.” Good ‘ole KJV says, “Abstain (resist, withdraw, refrain, withhold, curb) from all appearance (arrival, advent, attendance, presence, entrance) of evil.” (emphasis mine).
So—and this is my opinion—for whatever you think it’s worth—I’m with King James. I’m refraining from celebrating evil. What I’m hoping to do here is draw attention (notice, awareness) to the fact that Halloween celebrates superstition and evil, trying to make it appear (arrive, attend, enter) as innocuous (harmless, innocent, inoffensive, safe, mild).
If we say we’re living according to biblical principles, yet we celebrate (rejoice, party, have fun, revel) evil (wicked, malevolent, malicious), shouldn’t we ask ourselves why we’re doing what we’re doing?
The Jewish synagogue that was attacked by an anti-Semitist over the weekend is just another example of evil. Why do people hate the Jews? Because thousands of years ago, God made a covenant with them, making them “His people.” The devil didn’t like that and has sought to destroy them ever since. We all decry this event as the evil it was.
Halloween has put a pretty bow and shiny wrapping paper around itself — to convince everyone it’s not dangerous. Okay, that’s like saying you won’t get burned if you put your hand on a hot stove burner.
No condemnation…just bringing your attention with all the meanings, to what people think isn’t dangerous. You make up your own mind.
The devil always discourages, hates, lies, and brings confusion. God’s voice brings love, encouragement, truth, and peace. To whom will you listen? #Learn2DiscerninOctober #thedevilsvoice #Godsvoice #Halloween #Jewishsynagogueattack #Pittsburghsynagogueattack @donnalhsmith @a3writers TWEETABLE
Donna L.H. Smith 