Encouragement for Today

Superstitions
Article by Janice Garrison

Yes….it’s yet another Friday the 13th…
If you are like me you have probably taken part in some sort of silly superstitions.
I remember one from my childhood days-“Step on a crack and brake your mothers back”.
I’m ashamed to say, I read my daily horoscope for years. I foolishly planned my day and let my attitude be influenced by superstitious belief. Thankfully, I now put my trust in God and his Word.

We live in a world of superstitions and so called fortune-tellers, astrologers, psychics, spiritualist, witchcraft etc. Superstitions are found all over the world. They are sometimes practiced as part of a cultural heritage. Or they may be considered a frivolous curiosity—adding adventure to life. In some parts of the world, superstitions are usually taken with the proverbial grain of salt. In other parts of the world they are taken very seriously.

Many Christians believe or take part in superstitions and follow them religiously. Read the following from Isa 47:13-14 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And he goes on to say in Eph 6:13-18 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Superstitions, Idolatry, witchcraft and things related are all part of the devil’s schemes to draw us away from God. We are so blessed that God always provides a way of escape for whatever temptations come our way.

I would like to encourage you to consider what, if any, superstitions you may have in your life and ask yourself, are they really harmless?