10/6/18
both 23
They welcomed me, a stranger, because I could possibly be an
angel in disguise. Is that just a silly
superstition or a religious truth?
There is a difference.
If it is Friday the 13th, and you break a mirror
as you walk under a ladder because you tripped over a black cat that crossed
your path, should you just give up and go back to bed?
Where do these beliefs come from anyway? I can say for sure where the stranger/angel
belief comes from. Hebrews 13:2 says “Do
not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have
shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” And this is no one-verse wonder. This clear teaching comes in the context of
many biblical directives that we should care for the poor and the oppressed,
the widows and orphans.
I’m glad that Marci and Abby had heard this verse at some
point in their Catholic upbringing and held onto it, because they were very friendly
and hospitable when I approached them as a stranger at the park, asking about
their religious beliefs.
Although they had left the Catholic teachings they had grown
up with, Marci and Abby still believe in God and pray regularly, but when it
comes to listening to God in return they were confused as to how to determine
what God might have to say. They often
wanted assurance and advice, especially about the fate and well-being of deceased
loved ones, but are left with a confusing array of superstitious signs, good
luck charms, and folk beliefs.
Superstition takes many forms, from simple karma to astrology,
magic spells, sorcery, omens, special rituals to ward off evil or bring
blessing. It comes from a variety of
sources, but ultimately from man’s attempts to define or control God. It is idolatry. It results in confusion, ignorance and fear
as contradictory superstitious claims compete for prominence. But the various superstitions all have one
thing in common. They are not based on God’s
word, but man’s.
Most superstitions are not from the Bible but those that
appear to be biblical are usually based on passages taken out of context and misunderstood
or misapplied. They may have the ring of
truth, but are often misused as superstitious ritual: the cross as a charm; the
Bible as a magic power; Bible verses to bring luck; multiplying prayer; claiming
the blood; words of faith; holy oil; prayer shawls; etc.
Jesus tells us that “the truth will set you free”, and we
can be free from the ignorance and fear of the unknown that worldly superstitions
bring. Yet, people come to Christ at
various places in life, and we tend to bring our superstitious baggage with
us. Paul wrote that we should get rid of
these ungodly habits in Colossians 2:
“You died with Christ and were made free from the powers
that influence this world. So why do you act as if you still belong to the
world? I mean, why do you follow rules like these: “Don’t eat this,” “Don’t
taste that,” “Don’t touch that”? These rules are talking about earthly things
that are gone after they are used. They are only human commands and teachings.
These rules may seem to be wise as part of a made-up religion in which people
pretend to be humble and punish their bodies. But they don’t help people stop
doing the evil that the sinful self wants to do.” (ETR version)
My hope and prayer for Marci, Abby and others like them is
that they will turn from superstitious beliefs and turn to the Bible and
biblical teaching and counsel for Gospel truths and the freedom it brings.
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