Have you ever noticed how black and white kids are? Not literally, as in skin pigmentation, but figuratively, if it’s wrong, it’s wrong. They are also very judgmental(for lack of a better word), if it’s wrong for me, it’s also wrong for you.
There is no other time of the year that shows this glaring flaw in my kiddos, as Halloween. Let me set this up by saying, Mr. OverKill and I do not believe that we should participate in Halloween. If you want to know the details , email me and I will fill you in. Let me also say that most stores at this time of the year have Halloween decorations up. Some of them are down right nasty. So, I taught my children not to look at them, rather just look at something else.
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…Psalm 101:3
However, my children have become very judgmental about Halloween, going as far as to say that people who celebrate Halloween are worshiping the devil. So, for the last 2 weeks we have been discussing grace.
From Merriam-Webster the first and second definitions of grace:
1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2 a : approval, favor <stayed in his good graces> b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege <d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve
We must show grace to those around us! While it is my firm conviction that we shouldn’t participate in Halloween, it isn’t my job to convict others of this, rather that is the work of the Holy Spirit in each individual’s life. We are not all at the same place in our walk with the Lord and we need to show kindness to others and sometimes even give “a temporary exemption.”
If this is true, and I believe it to be so….
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
And if this is true, and I believe it to be so…
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23
Then, in following Christ, and becoming as much like Him as I can, I cannot stand here and condemn the world, but love the people around me and point them to Jesus.
Following that same line of thinking….if this is true…
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
then I cannot “appear” to love, but must truly love. Which means I shouldn’t be all lovey-dovey with someone to their face and then bad mouth them when they aren’t around. I believe it also means that I shouldn’t be running my mouth about people and/or circumstances that I know nothing about. Is it wrong to discuss in private, with say my husband or a trusted friend, a person or circumstance I am having a hard time dealing with? Well, I guess that depends on the motive of my heart. If I just want to talk about it to tear the person down, then I would have to say yes, that is wrong. If I am seeking Godly counsel, and my heart’s desire is to truly love the person, then no.
The Lord has been teaching me through my children. I can see where I want to run other people down. Who doesn’t? It makes us feel better about ourselves! I am thankful that the Lord knew we would struggle with these issues and gave us instruction on how to deal with them!
17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:17
And now I know….Lord help me to truly love those around me, even the unlovely.
Well, once again…God has blessed me through you. Praise God for the wisdom He has given you.