Should followers of Yeshua the Messiah and lovers of Elohim participate in worldly, pagan traditions? Should the Church utilize worldly, pagan traditions to attract unbelievers to worship?
One would think the answer is a resounding, “No, of course not.”
Then why do we see so many Christians participating in worldly, pagan traditions? Why do we see these pagan traditions used by the church to draw in unbelievers?
First, understand what it means to be pagan. It is the belief in gods other than the One True Elohim. And the body of believers, through tradition, has allowed paganism to infiltrate the church.
Halloween (originally called Samhain- a cultic harvest festival celebrated by the Celts, the Irish, the Wiccans and the pagans) just passed with much participation from the body of believers. “Oh, it’s just innocent fun,” they may say. “We don’t let it mean what it originally meant.” I strongly encourage you to study the origins of Halloween rituals such as costumes, pumpkin carving (which represents a severed head), and trick or treating. It is not so innocent and your participation is an outward expression of your worship, whether you mean for it to be or not.
And, it’s not just Halloween. Christmas is riddled with the celebrations of Saturnalia, December 25th being the birth of many false sun gods with the incorporation of a myriad of pagan traditions (Christmas trees, yule logs, mistletoe, etc.). Many biblical scholars believe the birth of the Messiah was actually during the fall celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. But even if December 25th is the day we choose to celebrate His birth, why does that celebration incorporate mostly pagan rituals?
Then there’s Easter. Easter (not referring to Resurrection Sunday) isn’t even close to being about the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. The word Easter itself comes from the pagan goddess Ishtar, goddess of war and fertility. Yeshua is the Passover Lamb and His death, burial, and resurrection was during the time of Passover. Yet, we honor our Savior during the spring equinox rather than during the time of Passover (except when they just happen to fall at the same time). This makes no sense. This holy day should be called Resurrection Day at minimum, and definitely celebrated during Passover, not the changing spring equinox. Also, eggs are for food, not worship.
“But, I want my kids to have an awesome childhood filled with wonderful memories.” First, there are many ways to have fun with your kids without lying to them about mythological creatures (Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc.) that travel the world to give them gifts. Second, Elohim has His own set of holy days in which you can participate and their own set of traditions in which to honor Him. With a little creativity, these traditions can be a lot of fun. And, lastly, we are to, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV We should not be training our children in the way of the pagans.
Now, you may think I’m just a big ole Scrooge for not handing out candy or taking my daughter to “Trunk or Treat” or even putting up a Christmas tree. And that’s fine. But you really should be concerned with what the Word of Elohim says about doing what the pagans do and participating in their traditions. As you read each of the following passages of Scripture, I want you to think about all the different traditions of men, and pagans, that you keep. And as you do, ask yourself, “Is this celebration born of Elohim and truth? Or is it a worldly, pagan tradition that Elohim would not accept as worship?”
“Do not do as they do in the land of Mitsrayim, where you dwelt. And do not do as they do in the land of Kena’an, where I am bringing you, and do not walk in their laws.” Leviticus 18:3 The Scriptures
“Hear the word which Yah (God/ Elohim) speaks to you, O house of Yisra’el. Thus said Yah, ‘Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be awed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are awed by them. For the laws of these peoples are worthless, for one cuts a tree from the forest, work for the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They beautify it with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails and hammers so that it does not topple. They are like a rounded post, and they do not speak. They have to be carried, because they do not walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they do no evil, nor is it in them to do any good.’” Jeremiah 10: 1-5 The Scriptures
“What then do I say? That an idol is of any value? Or that which is slaughtered to idols is of any value? No, but what the nations slaughter they slaughter to demons and not to Elohim, and I do not wish you to become sharers with demons. You are not able to drink the cup of the Master and the cup of demons, you are not able to partake of the table of the Master and of the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:19-21 The Scriptures
“And I say, for as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and trustees till the time prearranged by the father. So we also, when we were children, were under the elementary matters of the world, being enslaved.” Galatians 4: 1-3 The Scriptures
“You know that you were nations, led away to the dumb idols, even as you might be led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of Elohim says Yeshua is a curse, and no one is able to say that Yeshua is Master except by the Set-apart Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12: 2-3 The Scriptures
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests— Those who worship the host of (the heavens) on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by (Yah), but who also swear by Milcom (also known as Malkam-This is the name of the national god of the Ammonites, to whom children were sacrificed by fire); Those who have turned back from following (Yah). And have not sought (Yah), nor inquired of Him.” Zephania 1: 4-6 NKJV
“Therefore, since Messiah suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so that he no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but according to the desire of Elohim. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the desire of the nations, having walked in indecencies, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, wild parties, and abominable idolatries, in which they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same flood of loose behavior, blaspheming, who shall give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the Good News was also brought to those who are dead, so that, whereas they are judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to Elohim in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 4: 1- 6 The Scriptures
“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ’Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’ He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.’ He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7: 5-13 NKJV
“Become, then, imitators of Elohim as beloved children…” But whoring and all uncleanness, or greed of gain, let it not even be named among you, as is proper among set-apart ones. Neither filthiness, nor foolish jesting, which are not fitting…” 7 “Therefore do not become partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Master. Walk as children of light…” 11 “And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather convict them.” Ephesians 5: 1-11 The Scriptures
“And now, fear Yah, serve Him in perfection and in truth, and put away the mighty ones which your fathers served beyond the River and in Mitsrayim, and serve Yah. And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve Yah, choose for yourselves this day whom you are going to serve, whether the mighty ones which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the mighty ones of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But I and my house, we serve Yah.” Joshua 24: 14-15 The Scriptures
“You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship (Yah your Elohim) with such things.” Deuteronomy 12: 2-4 NKJV
“When (Yah your Elohim) cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship (Yah your Elohim) in that way; for every abomination to Yah hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” Deuteronomy 12: 29-32 NKJV
“Therefore, as you accepted Messiah Yeshua the Master, walk with Him, having been rooted and built up in Him, and established in the belief, as you were taught, overflowing in it with thanksgiving. See to it that no one makes a prey of you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the elementary matters of the world, and not according to Messiah. Because in Him dwells all the completeness of Elohim-ness bodily, and you have been made complete in Him, who is the Head of all principality and authority.” Colossians 2: 6-10 The Scriptures
“Do not despise prophesies, prove them all. Hold fast what is good. Keep back from every form of wickedness. And the Elohim of peace Himself set you completely apart, and your entire spirit, and being, and body; be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master, Yeshua Messiah!” 1 Thessalonians 5: 20-23 The Scriptures
“All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 The Scriptures
Would our Creator have you participate in worldly, pagan rituals and traditions with your family as a means to honor Him? Have you put your trust pagan traditions to bring unbelievers to church over putting your trust in the Word of Elohim, which is sharper than any two-edged sword? Are you mixing the Holy with the profane? Does your outward expression of worship honor Elohim in spirit and in truth?
If not, it’s time to repent and turn away from the traditions of men. Turn away from participating in pagan practices. It’s time to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also does seek such to worship Him. Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him need to worship in spirit and truth.” John 4: 23-24 The Scriptures
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!