The Enemy's Victory:
Darkened
Homes and Harvest Parties
By Andy Freeman
Guest Contributor
from CBN.com
I realize this column is going
to bring down the wrath of Preacher, teacher, and parent alike. But
someone has to break the illusion. Here goes.
The biggest trick
played on Halloween is Christian kids and adults being bottled up
inside churches or homes all night. That’s right! Hiding from the
devil in the family life center and surrendering the neighborhood to
little Ghouls, goblins, and witches is a victory for old Beelzebub.
He’s got the church right where he wants it: inside the four walls,
hunkered down behind the stained glass.
Think about it.
How many chances do you get to mix with our neighbors during the
year? At my house we are blessed with a 4th of July block
party. Otherwise, Halloween may be it for many of you. And what is
your relationship evangelism strategy? Either hustle the kids over
to church before nightfall or worse, you turn out the lights, don’t
answer the children at the door, thereby demonstrating your
Christian love and hospitality. But if you do encounter a child in a
pink bunny costume it goes something like this:
"We don’t
celebrate Halloween! There’s no candy here for you, kid! Now
get out of here".
And the parents
of the pink bunny waiting at the foot of your sidewalk say:
"Boy,
honey. There’s something really different about that mean
family that sits in the dark every Halloween. I really want
what they have in their life."
Isn’t it time to
turn loose a few of those little Moses and Davids into your
community?
Imagine the shock
when an Angel instead of a devil greets the nice lady down the
block. A child who says "please", "thank you" and yes, even "Jesus
loves you" and "God bless you" as they receive their mini-Snickers
or Candy corn. And please, please, please you well-meaning brethren:
give the kids that come to your door the best candy treat on the
entire block along with that tract. Some of you give six years olds
a little "be warm and filled" treatment every Halloween. Give them
something sweet for the palate as well as the soul.
Never forget:
Jesus came to serve the sick and broken. He loved being at the well,
by the sea, and in the marketplace. He would never have said "run
and hide, its Halloween!"
Don’t teach
children to fear Satan. Help them understand Christ has overcome the
world. He has made us victors in Him. He loves all of His creation.
Remember what He
said:
" You are
the light of the world – like a city on a mountain, glowing
in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a
basket (or in a dark house, or at a harvest party with
church kids)! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine
for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for
all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly
Father". Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus wants us to
engage our neighbors and culture not hide from them this October 31st.
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