In Philippians 4, Paul tells us, ...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is praiseworthy- think about such things. This is a large statement made by Paul in regard to what the life of the believer should look like. He gives us a clear picture to what should be on the mind of the believer- on each our minds. This becomes even more illustrated as we hear Paul speak to us in Galatians 5 about what the Fruits of the Spirit are. He says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Just prior to the Fruits of the Spirit, Paul also tells us what the acts of the flesh are. He says first that they are obvious, and then lists them, sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy. It's interesting to note, that what Paul gives us is the underpinning to the seven deadly sins- pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. While we don't understand sins as being venial and cardinal, instead acknowledging that sin is sin, and that God does not make distinctions in sin, we can see this as being a helpful and handy way to see the variation of what God calls us to do, empowered by the Holy Spirit, versus what the world would allow us to do free range.

As we move into the month of October, there is a war that rages on about us. We can choose to have our eyes closed to it, or we can be conscious of it and decide how to act is good order as we take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). Sometimes as we follow Jesus, we are required to give up the things that we want, that would lead us into those sins of the flesh, or those seven deadly sins, in favor of keeping our minds on the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul even reminds us of this fight in Ephesians 5 as he gives us our list of enemies.

Very likely, at this point, you're thinking Pastor Phil is preparing to tell me not to celebrate Halloween. I can honestly say that my family and I do not celebrate this specific holiday, for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is seen interviews of witches that rejoice in Christians celebrating their high holidays. We also don't celebrate this holiday because of how much the sin of the flesh is so very centralized and showcased by the various events that occur. This is our spiritual discipline, and I am not demanding it of you.

Instead, I am asking you, as we move through the month of October to practice spiritual discipline and seek discernment. Take the idea of I did it and turned out ok, and ask yourself if you like the world we live in. If you can say yes, then ask yourself what virtues are on full display? As a society do we represent the virtues of the flesh, or of the Spirit? If you say that you don't like the world we live in today, because it is violent, self-centered, prideful, and ridiculous, by celebrating Halloween, what are you extoling? As you make your decisions in the coming weeks, keep in mind that you are the representative of Jesus Christ into the world that you are in contact with. How are you representing Him?

While all the candy of Halloween most certainly is not the greatest for our teeth, I would leave you with the words of Jesus. In Matthew 15, Jesus speaks at length, beginning in verse 10 about what defiles a person, bringing it to a point in verse 18, But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. James 3:10 reminded us several weeks ago about how our mouths should not bless and curse. Trick or treat?

Brothers and sisters in 1517, Luther put the 95 Thesis on Wittenberg church door. From there God began an incredible work that resulted in the Bible being printed in diverse languages, of preaching coming back into the language of the hearer, of the sacraments being offered to all believers in two kinds (body and blood- bread and wine), and our salvation being based upon the works of Jesus Christ. Sola fide, sola gratia, sola Scriptura - Faith alone, grace alone, Scripture alone.

Paul tells us, ...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is praiseworthy- think about such things.