Tag: 1 Peter 5:8

Post-Halloween Lack of Awareness: Spiritual Warfare

Once upon a time, I was a practicing Wiccan.  I acted like a rebellious teenager and turned my back on God.  I participated in pagan religious activities for seven years.  There was a time that I was in Wiccan leadership positions, I was an advocate for military chaplains, and I was even involved in Congressional Legislation regarding Wicca being acknowledged as a religion. 

After leaving Wicca and re-aligning myself with a Christian walk, I have been very deliberate about pagan influences in my life.  I’ve stopped associating with those who were in my life during my pagan days.  I am careful about what my family is exposed to.  I avoid sections of bookstores.  I try not to notice full moons or solstices.  I don’t want to slip back into a pagan walk, so I guard myself very carefully in this regard. 

Each year, in the weeks leading up to Halloween, I pray extra hard and pay closer attention to the occult/pagan/satanic/societal influences that are happening around me.  Over the last few years, I’ve noticed apologetic Christians shining light more on the testimonies of former witches and Satan worshippers.  The time of year lends itself to others…and me being more aware. 

But in the weeks after Halloween, I often found myself letting my guard down.  It’s as though I’m relieved to be passed Halloween and able to focus on the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth. 

So here I am. A week after Halloween. Relieved.  Guard down.  Then I was confronted with a scenario where my pagan past was thrown in my face while I was at work.  Something I influenced while practicing Wicca, coming back to a military item that is being considered for display in the museum where I am employed. 

I was relieved and yet, I should not have let my guard down.  We, as Christians, absolutely must be constantly aware of the spiritual warfare that is always going on around us.  Scripture tells us that the enemy is on the prowl….he is always looking to create chaos and destruction in our lives.   1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”    

In regard to spiritual warfare, is your guard up for you and your family?

Or are you like me and it’s up sometimes, but also falls down occasionally?

In the coming days, I will be concentrating on specifically praying about our post-Halloween awareness of pagan practices in America.  Will you join me?

~Emily

Fun vs. Folly: The Slippery Horoscope Away From God

Now that school is out for the summer, I feel like I can share a conversation that I had with one of my son’s teachers this last year.  The students were studying space; galaxies, planets, stars, and specifically the history of constellations and how to identify different constellations.  While in that section, the teacher taught of the constellations affiliated with what is commonly known as the zodiac signs.   

I was 100% behind the lessons to this point.  

Once they learned about the constellations associated with the zodiac, they were introduced to horoscopes. One step further; they were tasked with looking up their birthday, figuring out their zodiac sign, reading the personality traits associated with that zodiac, and then determining if they were aligned with their zodiac sign.  

My son came home that day and pretty innocently mentioned this activity that they’d conducted in class.  I must admit, I nearly lost my mind.  I asked dozens of questions to the point that Kambell became alarmed that something was clearly not right.    I contacted the teacher for further clarification.  I expressed my displeasure that Kambell was introduced to something that I believe is pagan and against scripture.  

She responded that it was “just a fun way for them to learn about the constellations.”  

Ummm. No, no it’s not “just a fun way…” for them to learn anything except the ways of the world and a path that Satan would love to have them on.  One that takes this kids away from God, not closer to God.  1 Peter 5:8 (NASB) says, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to destroy.” 

It only takes one introduction to something pagan…one careless thought…one glimpse at a worldly concept…one misstep, which can lead to something so much more sinister.  

Please know that I’m very pleased with the public-school education that my child is receiving and I’ve fallen in love with our school district and the teachers dedicated to assisting with raising future productive citizens of our Nation.   

Please also know that I recognize that I’m a tad hyper-sensitive to pagan activities, due to having being a practicing Wiccan for seven years.  

As a result, please know that I fully understand that some think I’m taking it too far to be upset about my 5th grader learning about horoscopes.  

Those some who think I’m taking it too far…they won’t be in front of God one day justifying how they raised this child.  They will be accountable for their own actions and behaviors.  As for me, I don’t want to explain to God why I made decisions (or allowed others around my child) to decide to introduce him to less-than-Godly behaviors.  Scripture shows us in 2 Corinthians and Romans that we will each be accountable.

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive compensation for his deeds done through the body, in accordance with what he has done, whether good or bad.” ~2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB)

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” ~Romans 14:12 (NASB)

When someone says “it’s just for fun,” but you still have unrest about the scenario in your heart, you should listen.  That is often the nudge of the Holy Spirit for you to further analyze and pray about the situation.  Remember also, you stand before the judgment seat by yourself.  Are you comfortable reporting to God regarding your behaviors, thoughts, and actions? 

Finally, remember that what is fun for some is likely folly for others.    

~Emily

Guest Blog by Heather Kaufman Pamplin: Distractions

These days I’m at an age and a point in my faith where I tend to not overtly sin. Of course I slip up here and there with a bad word or a silent judgment, but for the most part I’ve got Christ in my spirit and God on my mind. That being the case, now what I find is Satan using even sneakier tactics to interfere in my hardline connection to my Savior. 

I call these interferences “distractions,” and the tactic is a lot like distracted driving. I think most people immediately think of texting, but if we’re honest, messing with your seat, changing the radio station, taking a drink of water…all of these seemingly benign actions also distract your eyes and attention from the road, and you have important business to perform when you are driving! 

Applying this to Christian life, we are “at the wheel” during all waking hours (1 Cor 15:58). God has a purpose for our lives (Jer 29:11) and we are called to always be a beacon of His light (Matt 5:14-16), intended to point to His glory. And yet, how often do you find yourself focused on a myriad other things in life, from what’s for dinner to the laundry that must be washed before Saturday morning’s little league game? There’s a reason our earthly culture keeps us busy: it is a well-devised strategy employed by the enemy to keep us focused on anything other than bringing God glory. 

Listen, there is no perfection in this world outside of Jesus Christ; don’t beat yourself up because you live in a broken place temporarily. Rather, simply be aware that the enemy is always looking for ways to set stumbling blocks in our path and disconnect us from our Lord and Savior (1 Pet 5:8). Develop habits of continual conversation and returning your thoughts to Heavenly Father. Let it be a normal part of your routine to talk to God while doing laundry or washing the car, and when you notice your mind wandering to all of the chores next on your list, extend yourself lots of grace and gently return your thoughts to your relationship with the King of Kings, knowing one day you shall live in the place he prepared for you (John 14:2). 

~Heather