Ah, October. Down here in Mississippi, this is the month when the leaves start changing and dropping (or melting) off trees. And thankfully, this month has felt like autumn – a true blessing for us sweltering Southern folks!
Yet, for all the good things October brings … it also offers a season of darkness.
Starting in late September, stores nationwide begin sorting and displaying their fall and Halloween decorations. Retailers often sell cute decorative pumpkins and turkeys on one side of the aisle. Meanwhile, on the other, buyers can select an array of skeletons, ghosts, and other seasonal options. Fall activities transform into scary events, including (but not limited to) haunted hayrides, “zombie” farms, and “horror” themed theme parks.
“What’s the big deal? It’s all made up!” some may argue.
But is it?
It seems as though with each year that passes, decor, costumes, and “celebrations” only get darker. Many claim that the devil is real, but to the world, he’s nothing more than a red-painted man with a pitchfork … not a liar, tempter, relationship destroyer, murderer, or author of all sin and shame.
In reality, Satan’s goal is to destroy everything holy and light-filled. If he can lure even the holiest of believers into buying that darkness is “just” a season, costume, thought, game, or scary movie, he’s succeeding at spreading his dark agenda.
Suppose you were to turn on your news source or favorite social media site. In that case, you’d quickly see things such as the Israel-Hamas war, children being told it is okay to mutilate themselves, pornographic library books placed within arm’s reach of a child, men pretending to be women, women pretending to be men, fear-mongering, babies cut from the womb of their mothers, and so on.
Darkness is more than a season. Perhaps now more than ever, the enemy has made his presence known and is making no effort to hide it. He’s an internet click away, causing trouble in the streets and on the world stage, plastering himself throughout the entertainment and music industry, and putting himself into every arena that even the littlest eyes can see.
A few recent examples include:
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- In February, on national television, the 2023 Grammy Awards showed singer Sam Smith provocatively dancing in a devil costume fitted with horns. His backup dancers twirled around a fire-filled stage – wearing red demon outfits – as a transgender vocalist accompanied him.
- In September, rapper and singer Doja Cat released her newest album, which included a song titled “Paint the Town Red.” In the song, she says, “I’m a demon lord.” The music video also contains pentagrams, the Grim Reaper, and other demonic imagery. Upon its release, the track held fast at number 1 on the Billboard Chart for weeks before falling to third place this week.
- Likewise, on her recent record-breaking concert tour and recently released film (of her concert), Taylor Swift performed her hit “Willow” as her backup dancers galavanted across the stage in capes, closely resembling witches.
Oh, and lest we forget, this content isn’t just directed at adults. It is flooding platforms young children are prone to see. The enemy is prowling and looking to devour all in his path.
In 1 Peter 5:8, Scripture says,
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
But hold fast! We have hope amid the darkness. Although we may face the darkness, we serve the One who is light.
Someday, the exciting hope of Romans 16:20 will come to pass. But until then, we must remain on guard and cling to the things of the Creator of light. Until we do, we – nor our families – can accomplish the will of our Father.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
This “Halloween” season, don’t be distracted by the dark – cling to His light!
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (Romans 16:20)
