With Halloween around the corner, I’ve been thinking about the struggle it sometimes is to keep our homes full of light, and free of worldly influences.
Our family personally doesn’t celebrate Halloween. We also steer clear of church festivals and the like which try to “redeem the day,” since we feel like imitating the world isn’t the best thing to do.
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
3 John 1:11
Related: Why We No Longer Celebrate Reformation Day
I really dislike the darkness associated with this time of the month. The Lord created a beautiful season for us to enjoy, and so many of us fill it with evil. On our way to town, we drive by a movie theater which is showing several horror movies right now. This particular theater also has a large screen outside advertising such movies. By the grace of God there has been a malfunction over the past week or so and I no longer wince as we drive past.
Darkness should be expected in the culture around us, but unfortunately, we sometimes let it creep into our homes. I’m not immune to this, and I regularly try to check to make sure I haven’t let anything slip in unnoticed. “Entertainment” is the most common offender.
As wives and mothers, we are gatekeepers, and it is our job to make sure light is shining brightly in our homes. When the light is on, darkness is more easily exposed.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Ephesians 5:11
How do we keep the light on? By staying rooted in Scripture. When we are in tune with God’s will for us and our homes, dark influences begin to stick out like a sore thumb.
Take heart, mamas. Sometimes we can appear to be the “bad guy” when we remove darkness from our homes. Let’s remember to react to our children with love and gentleness when we make necessary changes.
Oh, how I’m so thankful for the Lord’s grace and guidance with this! Over time, keeping our home filled with light has become easier. But I really notice a difference whenever I’m committed to look and behave differently than the world does.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27
Let’s enjoy this beautiful season and ignore the darkness. Fall is such a lovely time to enjoy with our families!
