by Barbara Latta
Crisp fall air invites us to gravitate toward campfires. Logs crackle and gray, oak-scented smoke spirals to the sky.
Give me a
marshmallow and a hot dog, please.
Fall also
brings Halloween. For weeks Halloween decorations have abounded in stores,
yards, and porches. This is not an attack against those who like Halloween. But
I am not one who likes this day because of the evil origins.
I know kids
love to dress up and get candy. Who doesn’t like sugar? Children aren’t
thinking of what all this means, they just want the goodies.
But some of the
decorations can make a believer cringe. I think this day is observed as fun
because the meaning is not taken seriously. A lot of people don’t believe the
devil is real. And if they do, he is considered a cartoon character in a red
suit with a pitchfork.
While fall can
call us outside to enjoy a backyard fire, campfires are no comparison to the
fire of God.
What kind of
thoughts does this Scripture bring to your mind?
For our God is a consuming
fire (Hebrews
12:29 NKJV).
This verse can
create different images.
God’s fire consumed sin. The blaze of judgment turned sin to ash
at the cross.
While we are on
this earth, we do still commit sin. But the punishment for our transgressions
is complete because Jesus endured the fire of the wrath of God against sin.
God’s fire consumes us with power when we welcome the Holy Spirit into
our lives.
After Jesus
ascended to heaven, God sent another kind of fire to the earth – the Holy
Spirit.
I indeed baptize you with water unto
repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I
am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His
winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing
floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:11-12).
God’s fire consumes the motives of all
our works. Each one’s work
will become clear; for the Day will declare it because it will be revealed by
fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s
work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s
work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as
through fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
The fire of
judgment day is in the future. All those who did not accept the payment Jesus
made when His body was consumed in the fire of God, will be burned in eternal
fire. That will be a sad day.
The payment has
been made, but many will not accept it.
Our God is a
consuming fire. He burned our sin at the
cross, He burns up our dead works to purify our motives and minds, and He burns
within us with power. And His fire will judge those who reject Him.
Satan will feel
that fire of judgment, too. Eternal damnation for the one who caused all the
misery of earth since the Garden of Eden. He will burn with eternal misery. The
days of evil will be over.
We can celebrate
the Holy Spirit because Jesus defeated the fallen spirit. We don’t have to give
the devil any more power by giving in to his temptations and lies.
God’s love can
burn within your soul if you accept His sacrifice and join His family. By doing so, the identity of Christ is given to you and the Holy Spirit's power will dwell within your heart.
Join the
conversation and share your thoughts.
TWEETABLES
What if we celebrated the Holy Spirit instead of the fallen spirit? (click to tweet)
Our God is a
consuming fire. He burned our sin at
the cross, He burns up our dead works to purify our motives and minds, and He burns
within us with power. (click to tweet)
Well said Ms. Barbara. Like you, I choose not to recognize the day as a holiday, but I'll never turn a child away from my home either. No decorations or costumes, but I will great you with a warm smile, share something, and drop a copy of the gospel of John in their bag with it. God's blessings ma'am.
ReplyDeleteWe do the same thing, J.D. we don't turn anyone away but share kid oriented tracts with candy. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThanks for this informative post. I enjoy the fun children have with this day. I have noticed the custom of changing the term “Halloween Party” to “Fall Party.” I decorate with pumpkins but not jack-o-lanterns.
ReplyDeleteI also decorate with fall harvest items but not jack o lanterns. I enjoy the colors and richness of autumn and the fun kids have. We can turn this day around to glorify God. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteYes! I agree, Barbara, let's celebrate the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Guide, sent to us as another gift of love from our Lord. The Holy Spirit is with us every step of our journey, always just a prayer away. Blessings, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit is our gift of guidance. I am so thankful He is with us on our journey. Thanks for sharing, Katherine. Blessings!
DeleteIt breaks my heart to see more Halloween decorations than Christmas in yards. It reminds me the need for praying and getting to know my neighbors is more important than ever. I am ready to see revival fire fall.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jennifer. Halloween gets more visibility in some places than Christmas does and it is a sad reflection of people's hearts. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I greatly appreciate this post. The title says it all. I grew up in a conservative anabaptist community. We didn’t celebrate Halloween. Rather once the fields had been harvested, we had harvest celebrations filled with fun, family and thanksgiving for another bountiful year. I no longer live in an agricultural community and find the suburbanite pressure to participate in Halloween activities great, but it never sat well. I couldn’t find any good reasoning behind the concept of 1. sending my children to the doors of strangers or 2. Sending them to the doors of beloved neighbors asking for something with nothing to give in return. So, we don’t participate. I’ve chosen to teach my kids that throughout the year they should carry gifts of flowers and baked goods to our neighbors. -Beth
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DeleteHi Beth, its great to hear from you. Your example to your children taught them the best way to give to your community. My church also conducts a fall festival. I don't participate in the Halloween activities or decorations either, but I do use this day as an opportunity to glorify God by handing out tracts for kids with candy. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I appreciate the warning and the promise of your message. I agree that many people just don't take Satan seriously, and we need to keep lovingly explaining the truth to them. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is what will set people free, but as you said, we need to present it in a loving way. Condemnation doesn't attract people to the gospel. Thanks for sharing, Annie. Blessings!
DeleteGreat idea to celebrate the Holy Spirit more each day of our lives. Thanks Barbara
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit always gives us a reason to celebrate. Thanks for sharing, Yvonne. Blessings!
ReplyDelete