Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Unveiling the Mask of the Forces of Evil
A
by Kenneth E. Ware
lthough the term “Halloween” is not in the Bible,
Today, witchcraft and divination are found in the
its attributes are all throughout both Testaments.
entertainment of tarot cards, palm reading, horoscopes
Forbidden to engage in evil practices, Halloween is
and social media divination. These are inspired by Satan
not merely about tricks or treats. Participated by some and
and designed by him to manipulate the believer to not
practiced by many, the October 31st holiday is rooted in
trust in the Lord for guidance. Those who practice such are
the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain. Many believers pay
detestable, a mere abomination to the Lord God.
no attention to the spiritual implications of its subliminal messages. The holiday was historically developed by the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and sadly, even the Jews at times practiced the forces of evil. In Deuteronomy 18, Moses condemned such wickedness. Halloween is detestable to the Lord and should be prohibited among the people of God (Deut. 18:9-14). It carries within its core demonic spirits. Images of the devil, skull masks, Grim Reapers, horror costumes, tombstones of the dead, graveyards, ghosts, spider webs and replicas of blood are all influenced by Satan as signs of death to provoke fear. Yet, the Scripture says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). I. Christians Must Not Imitate Evil Practices (Deut. 18:9) The sons of Israel were forbidden to imitate the sinful practices of the Canaanites and the Philistines. The term “imitate” in Hebrew means “to practice.” Likewise, the same principle applies to Christians today. We are to be imitators of God as beloved children (Eph. 5:1). Prohibited from conforming to worldly activities, we are not to be shaped by the world’s mold (Rom. 12:2). As the holiday of horror draws near, we must teach our children what the Word of God says about it and obey its commands. II. Christians Must Not Participate in Evil Practices (Deut. 18:10-12) The use of divination and witchcraft was a pre-existing tradition running ramped throughout the land of Canaan. Though the land was preserved by God for the Hebrews, driving out its idolatry was no easy task. As God required holiness from the Israelites, He also demands holiness from believers today. Remember the Scripture that says, “Do not
III. Christians Must Separate from Evil Practices (Deut. 18:13-14) Blamelessness is the requirement from the Lord God of all Christians. Another word for blameless is “holy,” which means “to be separate.” The same idea is reflected in the words of the prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul, “Come out from their midst and be separate…purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord” (Isa. 52:11, 2 Cor. 6:17). God does not allow the practice of witchcraft, neither does He permit the entertainment of modern-day divination as mentioned earlier (Deut. 18:14). He wants you to trust Him by faith in everything. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22). We are in a spiritual warfare against the world forces of darkness! (Eph. 6:12). As Halloween approaches, let us be different. Let us consider what God says about witchcraft and divination.
even expose them. For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret” (Eph. 5:11-12).
6 // September 2021
About The Author
participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead
Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. Devoted husband to Tonia - wife of 24 years. Pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church. Graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary. Christian Writer and Expository Bible Teacher.
