Wikipedia defines
superstition as a belief in supernatural causality. Merrriam-Webster defines
superstition as a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the
unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.
Some people
are scared or superstitious of certain numbers. There are buildings in the USA that
do not have the 13th floor because of the superstition associated
with number 13. Many buildings in China skip the 4th floor. Japanese
fear the number 9. Italians are superstitious about Friday the 17th.
Some fear the number 666.1
Then there
are those who knock on wood or think that it’s bad omen if a black cat crosses
their path or if they walk under a ladder. Brazilians consider a wallet or
purse dropping to the floor as bad luck.2 Egyptians consider owl as
an unlucky bird, for sighting or hearing an owl apparently brings bad luck.3
Astrology, black magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery are also categorized
under superstitions.
Christians
are not immune to superstitions, for some Christians practice superstitions. For
instance, some Christians consult astrology (horoscopes / star signs, numerology,
tarot) or knock on wood or avoid the number 666.
So what are
the consequences for a Christian if he/she practices superstitions?
For the
sake of this discussion, let us categorize superstitions into “lesser
superstitions” and “greater superstitions.” The lesser superstitions could be the
rather harmless beliefs of walking under a ladder or fear of numbers or the
fear of a black cat. The greater superstitions could be the potentially harmful
practices of astrology, black magic, voodoo and the likes.
Without an
iota of doubt, the greater superstitions would destroy the Christian since it leads
him away from Christ. The Bible condemns the practice of [greater]
superstitions because their practice would certainly usher the devil’s rule
into our lives. “Scripture condemns those who practice astrology (Deuteronomy
4:19), magic, divination and sorcery (2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 2:6). Idolatry is
also forbidden, and no one who practices it will enter the Kingdom of God
(Revelation 21:27). These types of practices are extremely dangerous because
they open the minds of the practitioners to the influence of the devil. First
Peter 5:8 warns us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,”” says
Gotquestions.org.4
The lesser
superstitions are seemingly harmless. Some wonder, “How would it hurt us if we
knock on wood or ignore a certain number or avoid a black cat or avoid walking
under a ladder?”
Christians
who practice the lesser superstitions reveal two potentially dangerous
attributes. First, they reveal a detrimental form of naivety predicted on a bankruptcy
of deep thought about their supposedly harmless practices. They do not think through
their practices. Second, they reveal their intrinsic spiritual immaturity - a
byproduct of ignoring God - whom they profess to believe and love.
Consider
the apparently harmless superstition of knocking on wood. Christians either say
‘knock on wood’ or ‘touch wood’ or they would literally knock on wood when
speaking of a prospective good happening to them or their relatives or friends.
Apparently,
the superstitious practice of “knock on wood” has a questionable origin, “…many
pagan groups and other cultures—from Ireland to India to elsewhere in the
world—worshipped or mythologized trees. Some peoples used trees as oracles,
some incorporated them into worship rituals and some, like the ancient Celts,
regarded them as the homes of certain spirits and gods.
Authors
Stefan Bechtel and Deborah Aaronson both suggest two connections between
knocking on wood and these spirits in their respective books, The Good Luck
Book and Luck: The Essential Guide.
The first
possible origin of knocking on wood is that it's a much more laid-back version
of the ruckus that pagan Europeans raised to chase away evil spirits from their
homes and trees or to prevent them from hearing about, and ruining, a person’s
good luck.
The other
origin they suggest is that some of these tree worshippers laid their hands on
a tree when asking for favor from the spirits/gods that lived inside it, or did
it after a run of good luck as a show of gratitude to the supernatural powers.
Over the centuries, the religious rite may have morphed into the superstitious
knock that acknowledges luck and keeps it going.
“In either
case, you are seeking protection against envy and anger,” Bechtel and co-author
Laurence R. Stains* write. “The envy of evil spirits and the anger of the gods,
who take a dim view on mortals bearing too much pride and who get especially
annoyed when they're responsible for your run of good luck and you're not
grateful.””5
Whatever
the case may be, Christians are to trust, ask and hope in God to bless them.
Knocking on wood offers zero returns.
Blessings
are from God and God alone. If God blesses us, then no force on this universe can
prevent or repeal that blessing away from a Christian’s life.
When
Christians knock on wood, they imply a disbelief in God. This disbelief in
God could grow gradually, for the devil needs only an infinitesimal space in a
Christian life to destroy him.
Significantly,
Christians who knock on wood reveal a deep ignorance of God. If they had only
known that God blesses those who love HIM [and even those who do not love HIM],
they would realize that there is absolutely no meaning in knocking on wood.
Ignorance of God is a potential danger, for ignorance of God is predicated on an
impoverished understanding of the Bible – a lack of Bible knowledge. When God
is ignored in a Christian life, he could practically jeopardize himself while
facing problems in life.
Superstitions,
in any form, would harm the Christian spiritually. So why practice
superstitions when we can trust in God to bless us?
Endnotes:
1http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/09/130913-friday-luck-lucky-superstition-13/
2http://distractify.com/old-school/2014/10/21/very-superstitious-1197796927
3http://diply.com/trendyjoe/strange-superstitions-from-around-the-world/59005
4https://gotquestions.org/superstitions.html
5http://mentalfloss.com/article/50079/why-do-we-knock-wood
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