Evil ?

My understanding of evil is that it is a corruption of good. A corruption of something God created for good. God is the creator, satan is the corruptor the liar the one who twists and distorts a good thing into, well...evil.

Around my house we encourage creativity and my four kids are some of the most creative ive ever met. One thing they love to do is dress up and pretend. My middle son from a very young age has come to the breakfast table dressed and in full character being everything from captain hook to spiderman to even his own character creations. At a moments notice our living room can become a stage full of over acted parts and laughter.

In keeping with this tradition a very exciting holiday for them is October 31st. Call it whatever you feel comfortable with but around my house it means full on costumes and free candy. My kids love it. I call it a good thing. Today my middle son came home very upset. It seems a child told him he was worshipping satan if he dressed up in a costume on October 31st. I know, I know kids can be freaking mean. But I have no doubt where this child recieved this information. From a well meaning church no doubt. One that celebrates an alternative fall celebration out of necessity to circumvent "Halloween's" Evil.".

It is not my son who is twisting a good thing into something evil, but this child, his parents and church. They are twisting something I call good, corrupting it to my son.

In an attempt to protect from evil we are actually doing evil by twisting things God has meant for good. We are not teaching students, adults even our children to walk by the Spirit of God. We arent teaching them to live freely but pay close attention to the aspects that might trip them up. We shut them down, and honestly all we accomplish is to create compulsions they live out in secret. We dont teach people to walk in the light, and live abundantly, we teach them not to live. We teach them to shut out the good in fear of evil, all the while creating evil by not enjoying what God has for them.

You foolish Galatians who has tricked you? after being set free by the Spirit are you now being perfected through the law?

You show me a church where the life led by the Spirit is celebrated I will be there every sunday. Yes I understand this kind of life must be lived in community, "in the light" and there is context to every situation. That's my point.

But Andy, :( what about abstaining even the appearance of evil? Good point, dont even appear to corrupt my kids celebration of something good.




posted by Andy at 9:34 PM | |