THE WORLDVIEW:

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the origins of carnival lie in the Catholic customs of the ancient Roman Empire.

According to the encyclopedia, carnival comes from the final festivities held by Roman Catholics in the days before Lent, a period that takes place before Christian Easter and in which devotees abstained from eating meat, among other religious practices. The word “carnival” comes from the Latin carnelevarium, which means to take away or remove meat.

Modern carnival bears much of its Catholic origins, but the festivities of the ancient Romans may have evolved from primitive festivals that were widely celebrated before Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire, which happened in 380 AD

. One of them is a festival held in honor of the beginning of spring, the New Year and the rebirth of nature – as the Encyclopedia Britannica tells it.

In Italy, more specifically, the origin of the celebrations can also be linked to the pagan festivals Saturnalia and Lupercalia. The first was held in honor of the god Saturn and took place on the winter solstice, in December. The second took place in February, in the month of infernal deities and purifications for the Romans. Both parties lasted for days and were fueled by lots of food, drink and dancing.

Source: www.nationalgeographicbrasil.com/historia/2023/02/qual-a-origem-do-carnaval.

THE VISION OF GOD:

Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

2 Peter 2:
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;
12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

Pastor Val Martins