Masks.

Halloween has become a tradition for American kids. For the most part the majority of people are not aware of the pagan roots of the day and trick or treating is an innocent time of fun and candy collecting. I went trick or treating as a kid and there was this one old lady in a wheelchair that would sit in her living room and have us kids come in to get our treats from her. I never liked to go there because she would always make us take our masks off. She was afraid of being tricked into giving candy twice to the same kid! What is it with the masks and the costumes anyway? It seems that the historical tradition of dressing up like zombies to keep evil spirits from taking over their bodies has in modern day society become a time for adult dress up and make believe. It gives some people an opportunity to engage in altering their character by putting on make up and costume clothing. Some people become someone different on Halloween as a way of having fun and to escape the hum drum of everyday normalness. There is nothing wrong with having fun but we must always guard against being fooled by the traditions of men that oppose the instructions to pursue righteousness as outlined in Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote; And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11, New King James Version).

There is another reason people wear masks everyday, not just on Halloween. Jesus could see behind the masks of those He called hypocrites (stage actors). He was talking to the religious leaders who claimed to be men of God but lived in ungodliness. He said, “You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known” (Luke 12:2, The Message). Halloween affords an opportunity for many to be hypocrites. Death and evil is mocked in the name of make believe. Coffins and corpses become props. When we attend a real funeral it is not fun is it? That is the definition of hypocrite. Jesus knows our hearts everyday. Just as many role play on Halloween many others role play everyday. Wearing a mask of purity and speaking words of flattery. Jesus likened people like that to white washed tombs. Outside were white walls but inside were rotting bones. Tomorrow after all the parties have ended and all the masks and costumes have been put away zombies will be transformed back into regular folk. Jesus taught the same thing will happen to those who wear a mask of religion. They may honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. The difference between religion and Christianity is eternal life and eternal death. Quit playing and get real with Christ.