Pirates
With the advent of Pirates Weekend here on the island, I would like to comment. It used to be a yearly tradition: About this time of year, hundreds of people bring their children to take part in the fun and festivities of this weekend. Toy swords and all sorts of pirate gear are sold. A real pirate ship usually sails over, guns blazing, and the pirates come ashore dressed in full regalia. I used to think that it was a wonderful event, but since I have come to Christ, I have a much different view. If you disagree, that’s your right, just consider what I have to say.
A while back, I saw the Jolly Roger hanging from the corner of the roof of a friend’s house, and I just want to point something out: You’re certainly free to display that flag, but I’ll give you some reasons why you probably should take it down, burn it or throw it away. If you see a skull and crossbones on a bottle, what does that mean? “Poison.” If you were foolish enough to drink it, it could potentially harm you or even kill you. Dead. What do pirates do? They steal other people’s provisions, gold, ships, and more often than not, they imprison or kill the crew. Pirates did this in the past and they do this now. Off the cost of Africa, they have been harassing shipping for centuries. The skull and crossed bones means something and it’s not warm and fluffy.
Take out your Bible and read John 10:10. What does it say? Satan came to steal, to kill and to destroy: 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. John 10:10 AKJV. We might also add that unless they have any particular use for the ship that they plunder, pirates generally scuttle it: set it on fire and sink her. This is what they have done in the past; now, they just hold the ships for ransom. If your child wants a hero from days gone by, how about the brave unsung Marines who fought against those dangerous pirates?
I know children think it’s cool to be a pirate, and they look up to them in some form, or at the very least, they are fascinated by them. The problem is this: When you fly a flag like the Jolly Roger, which is a symbol, you are essentially opening a demonic portal into your house where demons can enter and cause havoc and sickness in your life, even, ultimately, your death or the death of a member of your family. Don’t believe that? What abut the American flag? Isn’t it a symbol of honor and pride in America? Men and women have fought and died for it. I would argue that men and women have not died for the Jolly Roger, but because of it. Some, and I am one of them, would say that the American flag is divinely inspired. Can you say that about the Jolly Roger? So if I were you, I would take the pirate flag down. It’s more than fantasy, it’s dangerous. Afterward, you might want to anoint your house with oil and raise the name of Jesus in the form of a flag. Jolly Roger or not, you might want to anoint it anyway. The Bible says, lift up the name of Jesus and he will draw all men to him: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32 AKJV Our Lord Jesus would be an excellent role model for a child. Wouldn’t you agree?