Just Thinking-Why Do People Get Offended When You Don't Follow Holiday Societal Protocols?

Over these past few years, my life has increased in the knowledge of "the way." So much so that I decided to stop adhering to the idolatrous traditions of men. One significant change was choosing not to celebrate paganistic holidays and acknowledging that the real New Year happens around March-April. (Exodus 12:2)

The Holiday Tension

When Christmas rolled around, replying "Shalom" to someone's "Merry Christmas" was definitely an eye-opener to the offense people take. I even had a relative with whom I have no regular communication reach out through text wishing me Merry Christmas. I replied with blessings, only for them to reach out later during what the world calls New Year's and type, "Let me get this right, Shalom, Happy New Year."

Clearly, this person doesn't know anything about my life in any capacity because if they did, they would understand where I align. But I replied,, "Shalom," and I'm almost certain they were irritated. But why?

The Root of the Offense

As many of us know, the world's system and mindset are based on pure idolatry mixed with tools and vices—spiritual wickedness in high places. If you are not compliant and choose to go against their grain, then you stick out. Your light is shining, and someone is always watching.

While remaining in our peace and honoring Abba Yah, that plants seeds—positive ones. Some will begin to wonder why, may ask questions, and hence, a journey toward the truth may be born. Others choose to continue walking in ignorance and persecute those who have chosen to walk opposite.

A Threat to Darkness

Anyone who aligns with Elohim is a threat to the kingdom of darkness and its agenda. By choosing not to adhere, you interrupt the patterns of the enemy. For people who don't understand, the discomfort they feel is simply their belief system being challenged.

It's similar to when someone is in an abusive relationship—the ones who attempt to tell them the truth in love will ultimately be the ones who get cut off because the truth challenges the lies lodged in the mind of the abused. The enemy will crank up the deception and present a plethora of lies to get the abused person to cut themselves off from anyone who challenges the darkness clouding their judgment. In some cases, this is temporary; sadly, for others, it's permanent—unto death.

The Enemy's Mission

The Word of Yah says in John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

We must understand that the enemy is doing his best to keep us in a spiritual state of disconnection from our Creator, and that involves complete and total indoctrination and domination. In turn, our true identity in Ha'Mashiach is suppressed, and false identities rooted in the works of the flesh are taken on.

Colossians 3:5-9 instructs us: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of Elohim cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds."

Putting On the New Man

We are called to find our life—our complete and total reason for existence—in Yahshuah, our Redeemer, and put on the new man, our newly found identity and freedom.

Colossians 3:1-4 tells us: "If ye then be risen with Ha'Mashiach, seek those things which are above, where Ha'Mashiach sitteth on the right hand of Elohim. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Ha'Mashiach in Elohim. When Ha'Mashiach, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Colossians 3:10 reminds us to put on "the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."

Walking in Understanding

We must remember that many of us did not start out walking in the truth. We were not born already saved. We had to go through our journeys and wound up giving our lives to Ha'Mashiach, choosing to seek out His will. By doing so, we sought understanding, because as Scripture says in Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Remaining in Peace

I understand that as long as we are on this side and there exists light and darkness, good and evil, truth and lies, rejection and offense will come. But that's okay, as long as we choose to remain in our peace—which is His peace—keep shining, and spread the awareness of the gospel and His truth through our lifestyle.

BBHM

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), with adaptations for Hebrew names.