Good morning! How are we faithing? As I study the scriptures it amazes me where it leads. Approaching scripture with a question will always lead me to a question I didn't have to begin with. Word studies or rather different translations will also lead one off to a subject not originally sought. This is good. This is one of the wonders of scripture inspired by a righteous holy God. I had a question this morning, which I don't even remember now and led me to this;

Deu 12:29-32  When the Lord thy God shall have destroyed before thy face the nations, which thou shalt go in to possess, and when thou shalt possess them, and dwell in their land:  Beware lest thou imitate them, after they are destroyed at thy coming in, and lest thou seek after their ceremonies, saying: As these nations have worshipped their gods, so will I also worship.  Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God. For they have done to their gods all the abominations which the Lord abhorreth, offering their sons and daughters, and burning them with fire.   What I command thee, that only do thou to the Lord: neither add any thing, nor diminish.

Idolatry is forbidden and very dangerous. Engaging in ceremonies and worship of things that are not of God leads to destruction. Idolatry can be of anything or anyone. Taking part in things that believers ought not take part in can be seemingly innocent yet enticing spirits and principalities to enter into our space. Halloween is one. Man is that a dangerous thing to mess with. Easter egg hunts...our savior rising from the dead and we have easter egg hunts? Rationalization of anything like these can lead to inadvertent idol worship. Point is we need to be aware of the dangers associated with anything that we engage in so we don't dishonor our Lord and sin against him. Celebrations and cultural rituals often lead us astray so pay attention!

Heavenly Father, Help us recognize when we play with idol worship. Help us be wise to the ploys of the enemy and his minion. Open our eyes to unholy things that permeate our culture. Grant us courage to stand for truth regardless of the blowback. In Jesus name, amen