Love your fellow man, but don’t stoop to the ways of evil for any reason!”
–B.N. Rundell (High Country)
“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
–1 John 3:7 (NKJV)
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The last part of 1 John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (NKJV) If this is so, and it is, then why do so many Christians celebrate Halloween, and other days of evil? There is something wrong when believers want to go back to “Egypt” and enjoy the pleasures of that land. The old man was supposed to be removed, and yes, I know the fight with the flesh. But there is a difference between a fight and the purposeful returning to the way of the world. Paul writes, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13, NKJV) We are in a darkened world, but we are to be light to that world. Darkness does try to overcome us, but we should not extinguish our light to join it.
Know this–there is a real war going on for the hearts and souls of men. Christians are not immune from that fight, in fact, they are more involved than before. It is almost shameful that more believers do not recognize the fight that they are in, for the devil “seeks to do everything in his power to prevent us from living as true heirs of our Father’s eternal kingdom. He is totally committed to disrupting and destroying what is means for us to be ‘imitators of God.'” (Alistair Begg) Recognize and commit to the way of light, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV) Get that into your being–we are to walk as children of light.
Listen! Satan is a real and vicious enemy. “He trades in doubt, division, and destruction. He comes at us both morally and intellectually. With the ferocity of a supernaturally empowered beast, he seeks to maul us and shred our faith to pieces.” (Begg) Know this–Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil! Yes he may prowl, he may roar, he may threaten, but we are secure in Christ. We have the power to resist him (James 4:7).
Therefore, in this day of evil do not give into the whims of the devil. As you walk the road to glory be aware of his schemes and traps. Keep the light shining brightly on your path. With that being said, do not long for Egypt. Do not celebrate the things of the world. Keep a standard that is higher than that of the world and do not get caught up in its pleasures. “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10, NKJV) Did you get that? Do not practice unrighteousness. Enough said! Stand firm in this evil day and hour.
“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.”
–1 John 3:7 (NKJV)
—————————
The last part of 1 John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (NKJV) If this is so, and it is, then why do so many Christians celebrate Halloween, and other days of evil? There is something wrong when believers want to go back to “Egypt” and enjoy the pleasures of that land. The old man was supposed to be removed, and yes, I know the fight with the flesh. But there is a difference between a fight and the purposeful returning to the way of the world. Paul writes, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13, NKJV) We are in a darkened world, but we are to be light to that world. Darkness does try to overcome us, but we should not extinguish our light to join it.
Know this–there is a real war going on for the hearts and souls of men. Christians are not immune from that fight, in fact, they are more involved than before. It is almost shameful that more believers do not recognize the fight that they are in, for the devil “seeks to do everything in his power to prevent us from living as true heirs of our Father’s eternal kingdom. He is totally committed to disrupting and destroying what is means for us to be ‘imitators of God.'” (Alistair Begg) Recognize and commit to the way of light, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV) Get that into your being–we are to walk as children of light.
Listen! Satan is a real and vicious enemy. “He trades in doubt, division, and destruction. He comes at us both morally and intellectually. With the ferocity of a supernaturally empowered beast, he seeks to maul us and shred our faith to pieces.” (Begg) Know this–Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil! Yes he may prowl, he may roar, he may threaten, but we are secure in Christ. We have the power to resist him (James 4:7).
Therefore, in this day of evil do not give into the whims of the devil. As you walk the road to glory be aware of his schemes and traps. Keep the light shining brightly on your path. With that being said, do not long for Egypt. Do not celebrate the things of the world. Keep a standard that is higher than that of the world and do not get caught up in its pleasures. “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:10, NKJV) Did you get that? Do not practice unrighteousness. Enough said! Stand firm in this evil day and hour.