Sermon Central
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Halloween, Horror Of Horrors Series
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Oct 8, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Halloween is coming, that time of the year were things that frighten people are entertaining. There is a spiritual truth that must be grasped. There is an enemy, he should be your nightmare!
Horror of Horrors
What Should Really Frighten You
Halloween is the time of the year when many parents participate in a fun time of dressing their children up in costumes, going house to house gathering goodies or attending a wonderful social event of fun, games and healthy socializing. In short, it’s just fun and games. Also, Halloween is a great time for moviemakers and horror-genre writers to release and promote their productions with the purpose of money-making or for a select few because they enjoy doing so. On the darker side, Halloween has been used as a time to worship the Devil, promote acts which harm others, disrespect other's property, or even destroy the lives of the innocent people and animals. Mature Christians see Halloween as an opportunity to point people to Godly truths with sayings such as, "If the Devil offers you a treat, it’s a trick!"
I would propose to you that there is a truth far scarier than any Halloween production which needs addressed more aggressively than more arbitrary religious arguments about how and if Christians should observe Halloween. There is a spiritual truth that should cause you to want lock your doors, check your windows and look under the bed as you lay down for the night. There is an enemy of your soul who is powerfully effective in causing destruction, destroying life and takes full control of the self-will of mankind. He does not have horns and a spiked tail, nor does he dress in a red uniform, carrying a flaming pitchfork; he is a living nightmare of unimaginable proportions.
The Apostle Peter gives a warning, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) In 2 Timothy we read of a frightening truth, "...escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:26) Again, Scripture tells us there are frightening "...spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
The Apostle Paul writes to the young pastor Timothy, using the word "captive" (?????? zogréo) meaning "to ensnare, seduce, to bring under control, to hold in check, to not allow a person to do what he wants, but able to make him obey his [Satan's] will." (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers; Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F.) In the Bible we read about Judas Iscariot, one of the men who kept close company with Jesus. He was a witness to many of our Lord's miracles and good deeds as well as hearing His teachings. Luke writes, "Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." (Luke 22:1-6) From that moment on Judas watched for an opportune time to hand Jesus over to His enemies.
If Satan can take Judas captive to do his will, even though Judas witnessed such events Jesus had performed, he can bewitch or intoxicate any unrepentant soul to accomplish his purposes. Dr. David Jeremiah writes, "...My friend, the very thought that it 'could never happen to us' is the step toward our seduction. We need to keep our eyes wide open to the events happening around us..." (Jeremiah, D. (1999). Until Christ Returns: Living faithfully today while we wait for our glorious tomorrow (pp. 31–32). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.)
Twelve times in the New Testament, Satan is called "the evil one." The horror of horrors, for who has been, who is or who will be taken captive by the devil to obey his will?
