In Laymen’s Terms

In Laymen's Terms

Most believers choose to remain spiritual beginners and leave the deeper things of God to ministers or religious leaders.

Many assume that serious study belongs to a professional clerical class while everyone else simply listens.

But this way of thinking is not found in Scripture.

There is not supposed to be a divide between clergy and ordinary believers. Every follower of God is responsible for studying His Word, growing in understanding, and maturing in faith.

But most people never move beyond a surface level understanding. When they encounter deeper truths, they feel overwhelmed, not because they lack the ability to understand, but because they have chosen not to grow.

Regardless truth must still be taught even when it is deep. A person is responsible for the depth they pursue.

With that said let's look at a deep truth.

To understand today's topic, we must recognize first, that the Old Testament was given as a shadow to teach us what real holiness looks like.

While the sacrificial system was fulfilled in Jesus, the moral standard of God remains.

This includes the clear instructions about worship found in Book of Deuteronomy chapter 12.

God commanded His people to destroy pagan altars and warned them not to study how other nations worshiped their gods with the intention of copying those practices.

The message was simple.

Do not borrow corrupt forms of worship and try to redirect them toward the true God. Instead destroy not just the gods but also the days, places and emblems of these false gods.

Valentine’s Day is such a day. It's origins are connected to the ancient Roman festival known as Lupercalia. During this mid February celebration, priests sacrificed animals, placed blood on themselves, and used strips of animal hide in rituals believed to promote fertility. Many historians connect red colors, heart imagery, and pairing traditions to these earlier customs.

Because of this background, the holiday conflicts with the command in Deuteronomy 12.

God did not want His people adopting pagan customs and attempting to clean them up.

Rebranding something does not automatically make it pleasing to Him. God desires worship that is shaped by His truth rather than by cultural practices.

There is also an important difference between what we choose and what we cannot control. People must function within the societies where they live. They use the names of months and days, follow national calendars, and operate within civic systems because these things are necessary for daily life.

In the Old Testament, Daniel was even given a Babylonian name so he could serve in the king’s court. This was not an act of worship but a reality of living in a foreign culture.

In the same way, believers today use the common calendar to work, pay taxes, and participate in society.

A holiday, however, is a personal choice. No government forces anyone to celebrate a romantic festival or purchase gifts. When someone willingly participates, some would argue they are doing more than simply living in culture. They are embracing practices that God once told His people to tear down.

Many people defend these celebrations by saying that intention is what truly matters.

They claim they are only honoring love. Yet this reasoning is challenged by the story of the golden calf, where Israel used a pagan symbol to hold a feast for the Lord and still faced judgment.

Others argue that since the days of the week have pagan origins, celebrating holidays should not matter either.

But this comparison is flawed. Using a word to communicate a date is a practical necessity. Taking part in a ritual is a moral decision.

True love for God is shown through obedience to His instructions, not merely through sincere emotion.

Every believer is called to grow, to study, and to pursue spiritual maturity rather than remaining a lifelong beginner.