Victory Over Pagan Gods

With God on our side we need never fear the pagans. “Fearing the pagans” is most obviously an issue for missionaries longing to see the unconverted come to salvation, but fearing the spiritual dark forces of their cultures and perhaps even fearing for their lives. Many a missionary has given his life to open the door of the Gospel to the unreached.

But “fearing the pagans” infiltrates even civil Christian society. Hearing of pagan practices regarding normal daily activities can hinder our use of those same activities for God’s glory, fearing that somehow the paganism is going to play some dark spiritual trick on us and draw us away from God. But Christianity isn’t defined by abstaining from every activity performed by a pagan culture in times past or present. Christianity is defined by Truth from God, not fear of paganism.

In Psalm 138:1-3 King David compares true worship to that of those who worship pagan gods. His tone is not fearful apprehension, but joyful thanksgiving.

I give you thanks, O LORD,
with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;

I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased

Psalm 138:1-3

In all your daily actions, remember that when you do all to the glory of God, then you need not fear that perhaps somehow you might have unintentionally partaken in a pagan practise. Our God exalts His own character and revelation above even the mightiest of evil forces. We base our practices, not in fear about what the pagans do, but in joyful praise of God and His Word.