Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof
of what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1
Superstition is defined as: A widely held but unjustified
belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action
or event, or a practice based on such a belief. The definition of faith in
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof
of what we cannot see.”
These are two, totally different, stand-alone persuasions.
The antonym for superstition is truth. Christians, who display faith, see their
belief as truth. So in essence we could postulate that faith and superstition
could be opposites. Yet agnostics may see Christian’s fitting the superstitious
bill; having the need to believe something without proof.
In Christianity, when one professes a belief that Jesus
Christ, God in the flesh, came and willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for
the sins of the world, it is prevalent to also see a flavor of superstition of
ideologies interwoven or tacked onto this profession. There is an intermingling
of both attitudes of faith and superstition, without an awareness that faith
sometimes takes a back seat, as actions motivated by fear give way to
superstition.
When a person, chooses in faith, to become a Christian, the
matter is closed. That person is adopted into the family of God, Christ is the
redeemer, and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in their life, and therein
lies the truth of God’s existence, something an agnostic would not know. We are
sealed forever, yet doctrinal rituals, and dogmas are tethered to this,
sometimes becoming of greater value, than the original decision of the heart.
When this happens, one can start questioning their decision or even worse,
begin to believe that God is sitting on His throne, with His whip in His hand,
just waiting for them to mess up. Here are three examples:
1.
When I was a little girl, I did not understand
everything, but I believed in Jesus. One day, in a silly manner I said to a
relative, “You are an old fool.” Immediately, He turned around and yelled, “He
who calls his brother a fool, is in danger of hell fire!” I was sick. In my
little mind, I saw myself burning in Hell because I had used the word fool, a
word that was in the reading books at school. I didn’t know it was a bad thing.
I fretted and fretted over that until I made a profession of faith, two more
times, just to get it right. To be honest, that was pitiful and unnecessary.
2.
As an adult, I had been homebound for quite some
time due to an illness. A well-meaning lady came to visit me. It was not to
bring me comfort, but chastisement. She started quoting scripture, alluding to
her idea that I was not living in God’s will, or I would not be sick. I was
older, more grounded, and not so easily swayed, but these words could have
caused doubt. I guess she forgot to read John 9:1-3.
3.
The most
poignant example were the religious leaders during the time of Jesus. The
Pharisees tried to follow the law and were zealous to the point that it
superseded faith. Jesus said to them in John 5:39, “You carefully study the
Scriptures. You think that they give you eternal life.” They were blinded
spiritually to the truth; the one who gives eternal life, the Messiah, was
standing before them.
As we walk our path of life as a Christian, we must ask
ourselves, “Am I performing ritualistic acts simply out of fear or habit? Am I
constantly distressed to think God’s vexation is pointed directly at me for any
small infraction? Is my service to Him fear driven or love
driven? Am I so wise that I know the
mind of God?” Superstition brings
provocation, but faith in Jesus, brings peace.
Dear Father, Fill me with faith, not fear. In the name of
Jesus I pray, Amen.
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