What is Lent? Why it matters? and is it Biblical?

Hello Graceful Warriors! This week we are discussing-

The Paganism of Lent and its origins

Topics discussed:

1. The Purpose of Lent-According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.”
2. IT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE BIBLE, GOD’S HOLY WORD, the only source of true spiritual knowledge and understanding [John 17:17]. Also see 2 Timothy 3:14-17. The Bible says that we are purified—cleansed, set apart and made pure in God’s sight—by the shed blood of Jesus Christ [Heb. 9:11-14, 22; 13:12]. This, along with faith [Acts 15:9] and humbly submitting to and obeying God [James 4:7-10] through His truth and prayer [John 17:17; I Tim. 4:5], makes us clean before God. NO AMOUNT OF FASTING, ABSTAINING FROM PHYSICAL PLEASURES OR ANY OTHER FORM OF SELF-DENIAL CAN PURIFY US! [Gal. 5:16, 17, 22]
3. Paul warned against this- calling it -"will worship"- Colossians 2:20-23
4. GOD DID NOT DESIGN FASTING AS A TOOL FOR PENANCE, “BEATING YOURSELF UP” OR DEVELOPING WILL POWER: Isaiah 58:5-7. God’s people humble themselves through fasting in order to draw closer to Him—so that they can learn to think and act like Him—so that they can live His way of life in all things. Jeremiah9:23-24

So where did Lent come from? - History of The Feast of Tammuz. Ezekiel 8:14-15

But why did the church at Rome institute such a pagan holiday? The Roman church replaced Passover with Easter, moving the pagan Feast of Tammuz to early spring, “Christianizing” it. The so- called Lent moved with it. The romans basically combined the two and controlled history with it.

Now lets add Mardi Gras! England calls it- Fat Tuesday-here's why. Before giving up personal sins and vices during Lent, the pagans held a wild, “anything goes” celebration to make sure that they got in their share of debaucheries and perversities — WHAT THE WORLD CELEBRATES AS MARDI GRAS TODAY.

But God Commands us to flee pagan traditions and rituals- Rev 18:2-4, 2 Cor. 4:4,Rev 12:9. God hates all pagan observances [Jer. 10:2-3; Lev. 18:3, 30; Deut. 7:1-5, 16].

David- “Through thy precepts I get understanding: THEREFORE I HATE EVERY FALSE WAY”! [Psalm 119:104].

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Until next time- Stay Informed, Stay Engaged and Remember- "Its a Battlefield Out there! Grab Your Sword- Your' Gonna Need It!"

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Timothy 1:7

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:11