Guys (and Gals) in Disguise

(Family Worship Center Churches)

Every October, I read and hear various rants from Christians against observing Halloween. Certainly, I don’t celebrate the holiday with its demonic connotations. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV) commands us to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” For me, it’s another day to share the gospel. Yesterday I passed out tracts before, during, and after a Halloween parade along with a few other soul winners. I got to lead 27 people to receive salvation.

One part of Halloween I’ve always liked is seeing the costumes people create. Of course, I disapprove of the scary-looking outfits many individuals wear. But if I were raising children, I wouldn’t mind them going to a “Hallelujah Party” or an alternative family-friendly gathering. Growing up, I remember having fun dressing up as somebody else. A few years ago, I made myself look like Jesus to reach out to trick-or-treaters.


Some costumes are labeled as disguises, which the dictionary defines as “give (someone or oneself) a different appearance to conceal one’s identity.” While employed at a roller rink during the 1980s, one of my co-workers paid to get in on Halloween wearing a Spider-Man outfit. He even borrowed a pair of rental skates instead of using his own. It took a while before we realized who this guy was. Disguises can be used for good such as a spy obtaining information to reveal plots from foreign enemies.


Disguises are in the Bible. In Genesis 27, Jacob wore animal skins while pretending he was Esau to steal his brother’s blessing from their father. In chapter 38, Tamar covered herself with a veil so that her father-in-law Judah thought she was a harlot. Four chapters later, Joseph disguised himself in front of his brothers and spoke harshly to them but later told them his true identity. 


Some disguises are spiritual. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) warns that “…Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” The next verse says, “…his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”


Fortunately, the Spirit of God can help us see through people’s deceptions. In 1 Kings 14, King Jeroboam told his wife to disguise herself and go see Ahijah. The Lord warned the prophet of this in advance. Verse 6 says that when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another person?”


One man I witnessed to yesterday was dressed as a Ghostbuster. I told him my Best Friend is a ghost…the Holy Ghost. He knew I was going to talk about Jesus and walked away. Hopefully, he will get saved before it’s too late. People won’t be able to hide behind disguises when they stand before His throne to give an account of their lives. 


“For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” - Ecclesiastes 12:14

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more