The American Heritage Dictionary defines a “red herring” as “something that draws attention from the central issue”.
In following up on the last few blogs, I would like to discuss “red herrings”. We spend our lives dealing with people and events around us. Most of our problems, frustrations and worries center on people and events. As a result, most of our prayers concern these people and events. We live in a physical world that we can see, hear, feel, smell or touch. If we cannot see, hear, feel, smell or touch it, we question it’s existence. We are all doubting Thomases, even if we don’t want to admit it.
BUT, Paul tells us:
“we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
There is a spiritual world that surrounds this physical world. Most Christians are either ignorant of this realm or choose to ignore it. It is easier to chase “red herrings” that we can see, hear, feel, smell or touch. Hollywood gives more credence to the spiritual world than most Christians or churches. New Age Spiritism concentrates on and lives in this spiritual realm. Harry Potter and his fans play in this world. Consider how many TV programs and movies deal with the “paranormal” and mediums.
Much of South and Central American culture, and Haiti’s in particular, is steeped in voodoo, Satan worship. The following is from the website:
“In 1791 the African slaves in Haiti revolted against their white masters. The slave revolt was nourished in the clandestine gatherings of the African-based Voodoo religion and thus the white slave owners soon concluded that the slaves must have made a pact with the devil for their revolution to be successful.”
“Over half of the Haitians continue to practice Voodoo. It is not uncommon for people to go to a Voodoo temple on Saturday and a Christian Church on Sunday.”
“Spirits are summoned with offerings, such as sugar cane and rum, and with animal sacrifices, usually chickens and sometimes larger animals such as goats. Nearly every Voodoo ceremony involves an animal sacrifice. By killing the animal one releases life which rejuvenates the spirits.”
“The central tenet of Voodoo is healing: helping people overcome physical and spiritual sickness with the aid of spirits. It is estimated that 60% of all Voodoo activity is about healing.”
The Voodoo priesthood includes both men (houngan) and women (mambo). In addition to healing and performing religious ceremonies to call or pacify the spirits, they also tell the future and read dreams, cast spells and create protections, and create potions for various purposes.
Prior to Pat Robertson mentioning this after the earthquake in Haiti, I google’d “Haiti and pact with devil”. I found numerous websites acknowledging this pact. After Pat Robertson mentioning this as a cause for the earthquake, the web is flooded with sites; but most say it is “just a myth”.
Satan would like us to believe that he is just a myth based in ignorance; and that now we are “enlightened”.
Trust me, that is a vicious lie. Scripture teaches that he is real and the church is tasked with controlling Satan in this world.
Are you spending your time chasing “red herrings”?
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