This blog serves as an update to my recent post, Judged by the Unjust: Letting God Decide on Disputable Matters. After writing that post, I went to sleep and woke up the next morning and had one of the quickest visions God has ever given me. In the vision, I saw men about to throw stones, and then it abruptly stopped. Immediately, I understood what God was showing me: people are casting stones at others for actions they believe are wrong, while failing to see they themselves engage in similar behaviors. For example, some people don’t celebrate Christmas, but they celebrate New Year’s. Both of these have pagan origins, but many don’t realize that New Year’s does too. This is because of the tradition of setting off firecrackers, which actually comes from China, in which firecrackers were believed to ward off evil spirits, especially a mythical beast called Nian, which was said to terrorize villages at the start of the New Year. While the practice has evolved, its roots in honoring deities and protecting against evil are still present in many of the customs surrounding firecrackers and fireworks. However, this blog is not meant to judge anyone. It’s simply to show the similarities in what people do. Many people who avoid celebrating what they consider pagan holidays don't realize that the very calendar we follow—the Gregorian calendar—has pagan origins. This is why many of the days of the week and months are named after false gods. In contrast, God's calendar was the Hebrew calendar, which was based on the moon and is known as the luni-solar calendar. Again, this knowledge presented is not meant to judge people, but rather to clarify what I mean by passing judgment.
Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
The reason why I’m writing this blog is to go a little deeper into what I was talking about—people do so many different things that have pagan origins. But as long as we're not dedicating these practices to other gods, and instead dedicating them to God, we’re in the clear. Whatever we do, we are supposed to do it for God. Whether we eat, sleep, or drink, we are supposed to do it for His glory. (See 1 Corinthians 10:31.)
In my previous blog Judged by the Unjust: Letting God Decide on Disputable Matters, I shared a screenshot of a comment someone made on my post. They explained that Romans 14 was actually about fasting, and honestly, I didn’t know this. And I was glad they shared this insight and in returned I like the comment. I had been looking at the overall message of the chapter. I wanted to share this with the person, but comments were turned off. However, based on the scripture, I still believe it has the same meaning when it comes to practices tied to a holiday or any other practice. Later I found out my comment was declined.
Here is a screenshot of the declined comment:
Additionally, the Bible contains this verse, which further clarifies the reason behind why someone does something:
1 Corinthians 8:1-2, 4-9
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food, they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
From what I’ve learned from reading the Bible, from what God has taught me, and the vision, verses, and signs He shows me (what I sometimes call "Godincidences," because they happen right when I need them), I’ve come to understand that different people celebrate things for different reasons. That’s why I never said that God endorses Christmas, but rather that God does not hate it. People can be celebrating Christmas for many different reasons, and God cares about why people celebrate it.
Decorating things and having trees in the home is not inherently wrong. What matters is the why behind the practice.
What I’ve noticed is that some people try to impose why others do something based on the history or traditions behind it. For instance, here’s a screenshot of a comment I shared with someone:
So yes, someone can celebrate Christmas for evil purposes. But just because someone uses it for evil doesn't mean it can’t be used for good.
Now, the argument I’ve heard is that its origins are pagan, and though that may be true, I understand the reasoning behind it. It’s the practice people have adopted, not the reasons behind it.
For example, if I like lighting candles, and I surround my garden with candles and pray to God, just because I’m lighting candles doesn’t mean I’m adopting the practice of witches. The difference is the intention—why I’m doing it.
Now, it’s a different situation if an ex-witch used to do this, and when they light candles, they may feel they’re doing something evil, because it's tied to their old lifestyle. After they turn to Christ, this would indeed be an evil practice, as it’s associated with their past. This is what 1 Corinthians 8 refers to.
If someone believes a practice is evil, then they shouldn’t do it, because the Bible tells us that if we believe something is a sin—even though it may not be a sin in itself—then it is sin to us.
Romans 14:23
But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Now, I think it’s perfectly fine for people to find information and share it with others. However, when they start imposing their views and being judgmental, I believe that’s where it should stop.
There are several verses of how to approach others with different beliefs within and outside Christian:
1 Corinthians 5:12
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Titus 3:2-3
To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Matthew 10:14
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
And of course, we can include Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.
My point is that when I hear a lot of Christians talking about these practices, they start judging other Christians for doing things that, as I mentioned, are not inherently evil. It’s about why we practice them. They start saying hurtful things like, "This is why you do it, and that’s why people did it in the past. You’re doing the same thing, so that makes you evil."
I do not believe this is what God wants us to do. This is why God showed me that vision on the morning of December 14.
As I said, I think it’s good for people to share the truth, such as how Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th and how Christmas was originally a pagan holiday. But there’s a difference between sharing information and judging others harshly for what they choose to do.
For example, like the Jews and many Christians, I follow the Kosher dietary laws. I believe that meats like pork and alligator are still unclean. But I understand that these are the convictions that God has placed in my heart. I don’t judge others who don’t believe that, because they need to be convicted by God themselves. I share what I know, but God is the one who convicts people. It’s not my job to start throwing stones at others and trying to make them obey what I believe is true. My husband doesn’t share my Kosher practice, but I respect his choices, and he respects mine.
So, essentially, I don’t believe we should try to force our beliefs on others. Once we share why we do what we do, let God do the rest. He knows each person’s heart and will judge them according to His Word.
As the Bible says: Romans 14:10-12
But why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Remember, God alone knows the heart, and only He can convict, reveal the truth, and bring about true change. Our role is simply to plant the seed and trust Him to grow it.
