(Psa 56:3) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
It’s interesting, if you think about it, how superstitions are still a part of our culture and makeup. If you do this, then that might happen. Do this or wear that, and then you’ll have good luck. We find it among baseball teams to everyday life, even in an educated society. We know the occult is wrong, but is it wrong to be superstitious? What does the Bible say?
Let’s review some common superstitions: FRIDAY THE 13TH: Friday has long been considered an unlucky day (I thought it would be Monday!) According to Christian tradition, Jesus died on a Friday and 13 has a long history as an unlucky number. BLACK CATS CROSSING YOUR PATH: Most likely, this superstition arises from old beliefs in witches turning into cats. WALKING UNDER A LADDER: When you walk through the triangle you may awaken spirits that live within the triangle that might harm you. BREAKING A MIRROR: Since a mirror was thought to be a reflection of the soul, breaking a mirror was harmful to one’s self and you would have bad luck for seven years. OPENING AN UMBRELLA INSIDE: When the umbrella is opened inside, and out of the way of sun's rays, it offends the sun god and would bring back luck to those in the house. THROWING SALT BEHIND YOUR SHOULDER: In olden times, it was frequently said that the devil was always sitting just behind your left shoulder. When you threw salt at him you would be buying him off or getting him off your back. And the list goes on.
Now those who are into superstitions have also developed a way to get rid of the bad omen that has come their way. RABBIT’S FOOT: Interestingly, rabbits feet have been a symbol of good luck since at least 600 BC when Celtic people in England would kill rabbits possessing certain attributes that were seen as beneficial to the bearer of the lucky charm. KNOCK ON WOOD: Because things are going so good, this is the habit of knocking loudly to keep out evil spirits from making things go bad. CROSS YOUR FINGERS: Anything associated with the shape of the cross was thought to be good luck. This list also goes on too!
I love the story in Acts 28 about Paul being shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Paul went over to a woodpile to help stoke the fire since it was so cold. As he did so a viper came out of the pile and fastened onto his hand. He shook it off and the people according to their superstition thought he was a bad person being paid back by fate. But nothing happened.
As believers, we believe the Lord is in control, not fate or a force or a fiend. Good or bad comes at the hand of God (Job 1:21, 2:10). But we know God is good and works all things for the good (Psa 119:68; Rom 8:28). When we are fearful we can pray and put our trust in Him. When we do, we will sense a beautiful peace inside and mercy will surround us (Col 3:15; Psa 32:10). Don’t knock on wood. Knock on heaven’s doors and watch God’s blessings come your way! (Mat 7:7-11)
Louie