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Relax, it's just harmless fun!
Every year when we approach the end of October we began to see the aisles of supermarkets fill with local witches' hats, devil horns plastic, Frankenstein head, and more. Halloween is on its way again. As you might expect from our friends across the pond in the U.S. do all this in a much larger scale. Total large areas dedicated to the event, the parties intend, big bags of sweets are bought, houses of horror and ghost trains appear in the big cities are available several horror films in cinema and lost on television and radio and more.
Then in the evening of 31 we see how children dress as devils, witches, ghosts and a variety of other horrible characters and walk our streets with a great time with license to eat as much sugar as can fit in the stomach, without being sick.
1 John 3:7-10 (ESV)
7 Little children, that no one deceives you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
8 He who makes a practice of sin is the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed remains in him, and he can not go on sinning because he is born of God.
10 For this it is evident who are the sons of God, and who are the sons of the devil: whoever does righteousness is not of God nor is he who does not love his brother.
Questions abound: Is it really just good harmless fun? If Christian parents allow their children to participate? What message and the witness does give the world (and especially our children)?
Well certainly the clear implication that the world is the devil, witchcraft and evil are nothing at all and just for fun perfectly innocent, children playing, nothing to worry about. Exactly the message that the devil wants people to believe.
Halloween is an obvious easy target, but when you go deeper we see that this is just scratching the surface and the devil is really many different tactics to erode are used throughout the year. Some easy to spot, some disguised, all damages.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.
My concern is that as Christians, we must strengthen our defenses and take our levels of consciousness up a notch because of missing or ignoring many of the devil's attacks gradually makes a dent in the fundamental truths of Christianity1. In recent weeks, For example, I've noticed more and more contempt, scorn, ridicule and undermine the truth in the thematic areas of death, eternity, heaven and hell, particular. I am not referring to Christopher Hitchins and Richard Dawkins of this world, openly play their part. I'm talking about the subtle and continuous shelling by the devil in the fundamental truths that are key in the direction of modern society, the farther from God, His Word and more importantly, the only way of salvation for sinners of death, hell and eternal punishment. What else could be more important to defend?
Let me explain few more examples using a wide variety of sources that have jumped to my attention that I believe are indicative of the problem. Let's start with television and film.
Television and Movies (none of which are recommended)
Account and Ted's Excellent Adventure
As was flipping through television channels recently saw a movie that recalls enjoying as a young teenager – 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure ". This film went hand in hand with "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey." Both films were about the adventures of teenagers and antics of Bill and Ted. A couple of things I struck again in the story:
- For the plot we are the two main characters face 'death', the character with a traditional black dress holding a scythe. Now, obviously, neither Bill nor Ted wants to die and thus defy death to a series of games to get his life (Twister for example). It turns out that Bill and Ted do unexpectedly well and win their freedom.
- On another occasion, we met Bill and Ted in hell. Bill experiences of his hell like having to kiss his furry family member, while Ted is in a strict military camp. Within a short period of time, both the management to return to their normal life.
Little Nicky
A few weeks ago I saw a short extract from 'Little Nicky', an Adam Sandler comedy about one of the 'so called "sons of Satan in hell." Nicky is a shy, relatively class underachievement devil, that just does not fit, you are given a task involving travel between Earth and hell to try to find her brother and bring him naughty return "home". In part, the plot also shows Adolf Hitler being punished in a variety of forms of humor.
Hell Child
The Royal Armories Museum in Leeds recently held a special exhibition showcasing some of the costumes, weapons and armor from a movie called 'Hell Boy '. From various websites I understand that the nature of the film 'Hell Boy' is set to ground through some sort of ceremony or meeting of spiritualism and is a kind of anti hero.
What effect does this have?: Of course there are many more examples of television and film (at the time of writing a film called 'Drag Me To Hell' is being advertised). Subtly the message given is that one can escape death, the Hell and the trial, if it is wise or expert. At best (for want of a better word) the hell is described as frightening horror films, but by the time the credits wind screen is usually all right again. Alternatively hell and the devil are portrayed as comical and well-discounted, or at least the concept is ridiculous and only worse than ever people go there to be punished.
Mood
Someone recently told me a joke about the apostle Peter at the gates of heaven. It was something like:
John died and arrive at the pearly gates of heaven he met Peter.
Peter: "Welcome, to enter as easily ask a single question – Heaven is a place of love and therefore to be here please dial the word love to me.
John: "Oh Okay, LOVE '
Peter: "Thank you, well done and welcome to paradise."
(Just as John was walking down the door of Peter received a phone call and appeared nervous)
Juan Pedro ", sorry, would you see the door for me during few minutes? I have to go and solve a problem. "
John: "Sure, no problem."
Peter: "Thanks. Oh, and if someone comes when I'm away ask the question I asked. "
(Peter is going fast)
(About a minute after that must walk to the door, but John's wife Hilda)
Hi John: "Love, what are you doing here?"
Hilda: "Well, I would not be here if he had noticed that kitchen as I asked you that before he died, now move over and let me in?
John: "Yes, of course, dear, just answer a question and you will be straight through, Please spell TCHAIKOVSKY. … … … … … …
There is a famous comedy sketch, seen by millions in recent years (can be found on youtube.com) where the comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean, Blackadder) as the devil giving a welcome speech to all persons who have been sent to hell after the final decision.
"Here We like to keep things informal and infernal "
"Christians, please come and be here, I'm afraid the Jews were right "
"Atheists, really feel like a right bunch of idiots'
"We see you at the barbecue later '
What effect does it?: Humor of this kind implies that the sentence is in some so funny, can be laughed at and therefore, the fact is underrated. The first example gives the impression that somehow his eternal destiny is still under negotiation after death. The Bible clearly tells us that our eternal destiny is fixed before he dies, no way to change it.
Language
Several useless and misleading statements are embedded in the English language.
"Go to hell"
"Not until hell freezes'
"It hurts like hell"
"This food tastes like heaven"
"I'll Sleep when I'm dead '
"It feels like I've been waiting for ages'
What effect does this have?: The grave reality of death, eternity, heaven and hell are undervalued and are part of common language. Through the constant use of words and the truths they represent may become 'water from a duck's back'.
Music
My work recently took me to Nashville, Tennessee, where I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry, home of country music. In the bill that night was Charlie Daniels, who sang the famous "The devil went down to Georgia. "The song's lyrics tell the story of Johnny, who was challenged to a contest of violin playing by the devil. If he won he would keep the violin gold, if he lost he would lose his soul. Of course, he won and then Johnny will Beat the Devil invited back anytime for a rematch.
What effect does this have?: The involvement of the song lyrics above is again that somehow through their own efforts can prevail over the devil and hell. It is also another occasion where the devil is made to seem insignificant (all that is concerned about being the best player of fiddling around).
Celebrity
On 25 June 2009 of approximately 155,000 people have died and entered their eternal destiny2. Among them was the 'King of Pop, Michael "Jackson. In the hours following his death to hundreds of fellow celebrities and hundreds of thousands of fans around the world left messages of condolence.
Examples:
"I finally worked out his purpose in life, before out of it '- Yusef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens)
"Rest in peace Michael Sweet '- Lenny Kravitz
"I appeal to people around the world to pray for him "- Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist
"Your star will shine forever "- Mariah Carey
"We are out of our joy. He is out of pain" – Rev. Jesse Jackson
"He is now the brightest star in the sky '- music channel TMF
What effect of this?:
It is important to understand two things before drawing general implications:
- I'm no judge of men. My opinion of people, are famous or not has no bearing on his eternal destiny. God is the sole judge. I therefore do not judge or understand anything about Michael Jackson. I hope to faith in Christ before he died.
- But we must also be realistic and we're undermining the truth. Therefore, you should always proclaim that God is clear in his speech on the path of salvation only through His Son Jesus Christ and his atoning death on the cross. If someone dies without repentance from sin and faith then his eternal destiny is also very clear.
The reactions I suggest above are typical and usually involve the following assumptions:
- The person is at peace and pain – As explained earlier that the Bible tells us that this is the case only if they follow God's prescribed route to salvation, through His Son Jesus Christ.
- That the person can still pray for, as that somehow help – The Bible tells us that death is the gateway to one of the two destinations. There is no way to change that after the event.
Poetry
I was recently at a funeral and a member of the family read the famous poem by Henry Holland to the congregation.
"Death is nothing at all"
Henry Scott Holland
1847 -1918
Death is nothing at all,
I only escaped
in the next room.
I am me,
and you are you;
what we were each other,
that we still are.
They call me by my old familiar name,
I speak in the easiest way
always used,
no difference in tone,
do not use forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes that we have shared together.
Let my name be ever
the household word it always was.
Spoken without effect,
no trace of a shadow over him.
Life means all
once meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is an unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I'm waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
Everything is fine.
What effect does this have?: Let's be clear here – This is a poem extremely harmful, since given false comfort and hope to friends and relatives if the deceased was not a Christian. The vicar leading the service also added "I do not know, but I know that now is at rest. "false assurance given from a pulpit like this is as sad as it is someone who sees people who have the authority of the church.
In these circumstances, all at the ceremony, or anyone who reads this on a card given false hopes, not based on evidence. In death, as well is minimized, is minimized.
Religion
This is a broad topic to tackle in just a few words.
Of course, There are a variety of religions in the world and this volume and diversity alone is a very effective tactic for the devil. How do you know that religion is true? Worse, many believe that everything can be true, and all roads lead to heaven, choose what you want.
Now, of course, Jesus tells us that he is the only way so let's focus on the 'religions such as Christians. " An even smarter tactic is to present "almost true" or small changes in the truth. So we have to be careful with the term "Christian" because many people do not understand the true meaning.
For many, if you live in a Christian country "or attend a church that is a Christian. That's not necessarily the case. If I'm in a garage that does not make me a car. By the same So if you attend church or even (dare I say) standing in the pulpit (which carried a dog collar or not) and does not make me a Christian preacher. The Bible tells us that a true Christian is someone who has repented of his sins, came to follow Christ Jesus and not dependent on its own merits and strong points of salvation, but only in the death and resurrection of Jesus as payment for its debt.
In this group of religions turn many to decide (my heart sinks whenever I see another room the Kingdom is built), and water by many to miss the message that the key components necessary for salvation. So much of Christianity is geared to tell people what they want to hear. The message can easily become a "self-help", or "being kind to others message and we'll all be OK" and many churches now would be better called the category of social clubs Sunday.
On holiday recently we were faced with a choice of three churches promising in a row on Sunday morning. We opted for "Evangelical Lutheran Church" with the following verse on the blackboard outside:
Ephesians 2 v 8 (NIV)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so no one can boast "
I left the service that day, angry and not fed. The church was full of people who all thought they heard a word of God, they had actually heard an anti-Christian message that led away from the true path to salvation.
What effect does this have?: Appearances can be deceptive and misleading. There is so dangerous, mixed, confusing messages. These positions softened the message of salvation and make it less urgent the punishment is less frightening. If hell exists and the trial at all "man" wants to put a PG-13 rating on it, at worst, and even then must be a way out.
CONCLUSION
The pressure to dilute the message of Christianity has been there since Jesus began his ministry, and so on. "There's hell," "God is love and not send anyone there, although there was a place ',' Even if there is a hell that is reserved for those of Hitler and Pol Pot of this world ',' No upcoming trial ',' No urgency, "" Death is nothing ". Unfortunately none of these positions can be supported by Scripture. This is the" man "to say what he would like the truth is, not man what the presentation of an almighty God has revealed in His Word.
Very few people today want to be seriously questioned about their beliefs. In fact, instead of defending the right to freedom of speech for Christians who try to tell others what the Bible says that we find people crying 'foul. Who are you to tell me what is truth? "" It's different for me. "In addition, challenging people explaining their own beliefs and faith is becoming a violation of human rights3.
The simple fact is that people are good and people are wrong. People can not agree or disagree on some issues, it is absurd fact that both may be right, one should be.
So what is the truth of God's word4? What is needed to believe and do to be a Christian?
- The Almighty and eternal God created
- The Bible tells us that we are all sinners and guilty before a holy God sin
- Jesus Christ is God and came to earth on a rescue mission
- Jesus died on the cross as our sacrifice
- Jesus rose from the grave as our Savior to show that all taught5
- Jesus tells us we can be forgiven if we repent of our sins, trust in it for our salvation through his redemptive death on the cross for us, and then live for him.
- Jesus told us that hell is a real place with a real punishment
- Jesus declared that he is the only way of salvation, not one of many ways
- Jesus says He is to judge everyone, every person who ever lived, you and me.
- The Bible tells us exactly what will happen during the trial – who are found to be confident for their salvation in Christ alone are saved
- The Bible says you will not be condemned to hell for eternity.
If heaven is real, if hell is real, if the trial is to come, if only one escape route, if it is only through repentance and trusting in the sacrificial death of Jesus Nazareth 2000 years ago then surely that is the most important message.
We will not waste time with the truth like this. Hell is real, eternity is forever, no escape, I will not go there, I do not want my family or friends or to go there. Only now can we be sure we can still receive the unmerited gift of salvation.
We will encourage others to become more aware and observe the underlying messages on television and the movies we see, books, newspapers and magazines we read, music we listen to, and attend events and celebrations (including Christian events!). Let's not be bystanders when we see the truth eroding. People need to know the truth.
Recommended Reading
The fight against Satan – Joel R. Beek – Bryntirian Press
Christianity without Christ – Michael Horton
What happened to hell? – John Blanchard – Books EP
Is sin serious? – Grace Publications
Where do we go from here? – John Blanchard – Books EP
David Woollin
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About the Author
hi am christina lobo from NY
Deans RV Superstore, Inc.
