Halloween

Evil exists.

Every time we read a newspaper or watch the news, we see the actions of evil in the world.

Paedophilia, murder, bombings, torture, kidnappings.

Every day we complain about the dreadful things that people do to each other.

See no evil; speak no evil; hear no evil.

Except for one day.

For some reason, it has become acceptable to celebrate evil every 31st October. Children dress up as bloody corpses, as murderers, as witches and devils; adults go to see the latest horror film glorifying fear and murder and violence; youngsters are encouraged to accept sweets from strangers.

This terrifies me.

Whenever we treat evil as something that is 'just for fun' we trivialise it. When something is trivialised it is made to seem safe, which in fact allows it to become more dangerous.

Scripture always takes evil and the devil very seriously.

"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 

(1 Peter 5:8) 

There is nothing comical about evil, and each time we allow ourselves to treat the devil and evil as figures of fun, then we are allowing him a foothold. 

The more absurd they become to us, the less real they seem. 

And when we no longer believe that something is dangerous, or even real, we are no longer on our guard against danger.

C.S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters, "Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out..."

The devil wants us to believe the comic, weak, fun representation of him; he wants to keep the truth out of our minds. Then we can pretend to be wicked, just for fun, and that will affect our souls and keep us from being aware of how evil exists and needs to be fought against on a spiritual level.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:11-12)

At the same time, we must not dwell on evil, must not let it take a hold in our minds.

When we are clothed in our spiritual armour, we are protected.

But what is that armour?

Truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation and the Word of God.

These are all Good, and we know that Good wins over Evil - Jesus has already defeated sin and death - but there are battles to be fought and won all over, and souls who are still in danger.

We must never let our guard down and we must always look to the Good.

Look for Truth and Light and Love

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

(Philippians 4:8)

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