The Master's Table - Christian devotional from God's Word

Wacky Ways of Deception
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

This month, people around the globe will celebrate Halloween. This is a 'holiday' in which the small children are encouraged to dress up as favorite characters, many being goblins, witches, and anything that has to do with the darkness of the world. It's always been seen as clean, fearless fun. But, is it?

In a world that has forgotten that GOD made the universe, that He truly is in charge, and that He will have his day, we need to stop and regroup on our thoughts of this holiday. I don't really consider it a holiday, but just another day in the month of October, and another day in our lives, to follow after God. There's nothing wrong with kids having fun; don't get me wrong. But, I long ago, gave up having my lights on for little 'trick or treaters' to come to my door. People will stock up on loads and loads of candy and goodies to give to the little 'witches and goblins'. Mothers and Dads will take their children around to homes, letting them fill up on lots of junk. Hey, I was in that crowd once, and know the pushing and shoving that goes on, to get to the front, to 'be the first' to get the prize at the door. I've seen children fall and hurt themselves, for a piece of candy.

I'm also not in favor of keeping the lights on and giving out tracts on Christianity. What child is going to read those little tracts? It may serve to ease our minds on Halloween night, but they will surely go right into the trash. Why? Because the kids are out for a night of treats, and that didn't include little papers put into their bags. That wasn't what they had in mind, when they left home, and it won't get any farther than 'in hand - in trash', when they return, even if it makes it back home.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Satan has a way of reaching into our homes and hearts and minds and deceiving us, mostly without warning. We can be deceived and not even realize it, if we aren't really close to God and what He wants. We are deceived into believing little things like a 'simple holiday' doesn't matter to God. It's okay; the kids enjoy it and have lots of fun, and nothing happens. But, by the 'little things', satan gets a hold on our lives, and soon is pushing bigger buttons. And, before long, we are trapped into the 'deception' that 'all is okay'. "After all, nothing has happened to us." But, that's satan's way, to keep you off guard and out of tune with God's plan for your life.

I agree, nothing is wrong with October 31st, it's a day that GOD will make, and we should rejoice and be glad in it. But, don't let the power of darkness enter into your life, without you first stopping to understand the consequences of such an action, to both you and your children. Pray, seek God's face, and what He would have you do, so that deception isn't a part of your life this year. It's not Halloween, the day, that's the problem, but the supernatural beings that go along with celebrating Halloween, i.e. satan, witches, etc. No day is evil, just the way we may choose to celebrate it.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you prepare our hearts and minds to know the truth, and to avoid deception by the enemy. We give you praise, honor and glory, for guiding us in these last days. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Written ŠOctober 28, 2000 by Barbara Sanders.
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.