Hard to believe it’s Halloween again. I used to enjoy this holiday so much as a child and as a younger adult. It was fun seeing the little ones all dressed up and out for a night of Trick-or-treating. Today though, it’s more a time of concern for our kids’ safety and a feeling of being glad when it is over.
There has been such an interest in the spirits and demons supposedly hidden inside the walls of old buildings and the need to communicate with them. TV is filled with stories of the supernatural and the occult; spirits of those lost on their way to ‘the other side.’ Where do all these horrific stories come from? They tell of demons who can possess you if you linger too long in their company, poltergeists who move things around and can be dangerous, ghosts of people unable to let go of the land of the living. Why is there such an interest and belief in all these stories?
I think the interest stems from the fact that we are all born searching for a reason for our existence and a purpose for this mysterious thing called ‘life.’ Why are we here? Who put us here? What happens to us when we die? These are questions we all have, or will, ask at some point…and the answer is: through a spirit…not one trapped inside a wall or searching for its way home…but the Holy Spirit…of a man, sent by God: the creator of all things, who came to earth “with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men”…does that line sound familiar? It’s a true statement, but only describes one man: Not Superman, but Jesus Christ. God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
It’s okay to believe in spirits, because they do exist…we all have one. The Bible speaks often of angels and heavenly beings, but it also tells us in the book of Ephesians how to battle against powers and principalities, demons, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places…Most importantly, it shows us that all these powers can be brought down simply by the power of one name: JESUS CHRIST.
It is not wise to get caught up into the world of demons and spiritual beings, but the ONE spirit we all need to invite into our world is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that after He was gone back to the Father, He would send them a great comforter known as the Holy Spirit to guide them and all who choose to believe. I don’t believe that spirits get lost on their way to heaven and take up residence in an attic or inside a wall until someone comes along and tells them to leave and follow the light. That is just fantasy; an over active imagination at work in order to captivate and entertain us…as well as to frighten us. Satan is in charge of all evil spirits and we are wise to avoid any and all contact with him or his followers.
If you are seeking answers to life questions, or simply in need of a best friend, Jesus is only a prayer away… and once you get to know Him and allow Him into your heart, His Holy Spirit will take up residence there and become the great comforter. Through His spirit, God’s word is interpreted for us and made understandable.
Ephesians 5: 11 tells us: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 13 …all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.
The only spirit we need to communicate with is the Holy Spirit. We don’t need a crystal ball or fancy electronic equipment in order to hear from Him. He speaks to our heart and tells us we are His. His purpose and our reason for living is to glorify Him in all we do and to tell others about His plan of salvation for all.
I hope we all enjoy a safe and happy Halloween. There are many safe ways to celebrate other than trick-or-treating. Just remember, (and make sure your kids know) there is only ONE spirit worth knowing… and asking Him into your heart will be a cause to celebrate every day!