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TRICK OR TREAT?
'Accept other believers... don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.' Romans 14:1
It's probably quite some time since you last put on a scary mask and went mithering your neighbours for Swizzles and fun size Maltesers. And probably Halloween doesn't mean much more than that to you now. For many people, Halloween is just a bit of fun for young kids who don't usually get to go out in the dark. But for others, Halloween is akin to the occult, Ouija boards and seances. It is an invitation to evil and should be avoided at all costs. There will be important reasons you feel the way you do about Halloween.
The way you were raised, your own experiences, what you've been taught in church; they all feed into it. And it's the same with a multitude of other things too. Would you watch a horror flick? Listen to hardcore death metal? Sadly, it gets easy to judge others on this issue. Those who have no problem with things like Halloween can think people who do are a bit wussy. People who choose to keep away from Halloween can think people who don't are worldly. Both sides think the others don't really understand the issue properly. So who's right? According to Paul, the one who accepts his brother without standing in judgement (Romans 14:1,12). Our relationships with one another are much more important than our personal tastes.
What now? Seek out a person who you know has a different attitude towards violent films or loud music - and just talk. Get to know them a little better.
written by Bob Gass
'Accept other believers... don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.' Romans 14:1
It's probably quite some time since you last put on a scary mask and went mithering your neighbours for Swizzles and fun size Maltesers. And probably Halloween doesn't mean much more than that to you now. For many people, Halloween is just a bit of fun for young kids who don't usually get to go out in the dark. But for others, Halloween is akin to the occult, Ouija boards and seances. It is an invitation to evil and should be avoided at all costs. There will be important reasons you feel the way you do about Halloween.
The way you were raised, your own experiences, what you've been taught in church; they all feed into it. And it's the same with a multitude of other things too. Would you watch a horror flick? Listen to hardcore death metal? Sadly, it gets easy to judge others on this issue. Those who have no problem with things like Halloween can think people who do are a bit wussy. People who choose to keep away from Halloween can think people who don't are worldly. Both sides think the others don't really understand the issue properly. So who's right? According to Paul, the one who accepts his brother without standing in judgement (Romans 14:1,12). Our relationships with one another are much more important than our personal tastes.
What now? Seek out a person who you know has a different attitude towards violent films or loud music - and just talk. Get to know them a little better.
written by Bob Gass
