Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001
Subject: Eat…Don’t Read…the Cookie
Dear Ethan & Emily:
You might have noticed that when we eat at Chinese restaurants I do not read the message inside the fortune cookies. Perhaps I’m being a little “legalistic” here, but I do not read them as I think they are an offense to God. I know this may seems like “straining at gnats,” but it is something I definitely have control over, and if I want to really live a life that honors God, I feel you have to pay attention to every detail that you are aware of and can control.
Prohibitions against anything related to fortune-telling are very forthright and obvious in the Old Testament Mosaic law. Yes, Jesus has now brought us salvation and righteousness through faith…not adherence to thousands of laws…BUT I think these laws had a purpose at one time and for the most part are worth our consideration and obedience as they help shape our behavior to be more holy and God honoring.
Anything related to fortune telling or witchcraft involves the demonic world and since Satan wars against everything God is and stands for, I think it best we stay away from every aspect of this. I would not trust any message from Satan as he seeks our destruction and loves it when we sin. God wants the best for us, and He wants us to look to His Word and to our conversations with Him in prayer for our direction in life.
Heed these warnings:
” ‘Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.’ ” Leviticus 19: 26
” ‘Do not rely on mediums and psychics, for you will be defiled by them. I, the Lord, am your God.’ ” Leviticus 19: 31
God specifically commanded Moses: “…do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord (that settles it for me!)….The people you are about to displace consult with sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.” Deut. 18: 10 – 14
So…for me: I’m Eating…not Reading!
As Emily would say: “OooooooooooooooooooooK!”
Have a great day. I love you,
Dad