Trick or Treat

Just how my mind has been working lately...

Halloween comes at the end of the month and people will spend time and money pretending to be someone – or something – they are not. I am aware of the pagan roots of the holiday and the demonic focus it has taken in our culture for some. But to the pure in heart for the most part it is just something fun to do.

When our daughters were younger “dressing up” was a favorite activity. We had the “dress up box” in the playroom and Brenda and I were often treated to dances and songs and shows that the girls imagined while dressed up like a princess, a pirate, a pumpkin or whatever was the costume of the day. Nothing but good clean fun.

So I am thinking about the heart of the matter and I believe it is the heart that matters. You remember God telling Samuel which of Jesse’s boys to anoint as king of Israel; “I (God) do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

And no matter how good the costume, you are never going to fool God about what is in your heart. 1 Kings 22:29-40 tells the story of Ahab trying to hide the fact that he was the King as he went into battle. The intent was to be safe from being singled out for attack. Ahab had a wicked heart and had angered God with his sin. Well, you read the story, but the disguise didn’t work.

Whether it’s for Halloween with the intent to get more candy, or any other day when you dress to impress…Dress up all you like, it doesn’t change what is in your heart. You may trick me, but God knows what is behind the mask.