Today, let's tackle Halloween since...why not? Does participating in it go against the Word? Do "trunk or treats" at church hold any more value? Let's dig into these topics.
First, let's take a look at Halloween's origins. Halloween was first celebrated as Samhain, which was a Celtic pagan holiday, on which they believed that it was easier for remnant spirits of their pagan gods to "cross over" into our world. Feasts were held to invite the souls of their beloved dead ones to eat with them. They dressed in costume and went door to door seeking food. They also held divination rituals and games like bobbing for apples.
At some point in the 9th century, the Roman Catholic Church moved their All Saints' Day to November 1st, and over time Samhain and All Saints' Day conglomerated into what we know today as Halloween. Today, Wiccans and other pagans see Samhain as a religious holiday and celebrate it as such. In fact, Wiccans see Samhain as their MOST important religious day.
Anton LaVey, the founder of the Satanist church, once said he was glad that Christian parents let their kids worship Satan one night a year!
Let's now look at what scripture tells us about being involved in celebrations of pagan origin (CAPS for emphasis):
Ephesians 5:11-17
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore DO NOT BE PARTAKERS with them; for you were formerly darkness, but NOW YOU ARE LIGHT in the Lord; WALK AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but INSTEAD even EXPOSE them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “AWAKE, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore BE CAREFUL HOW YOU WALK, not as unwise men but as wise, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME, because the days are evil. So then DO NOT BE FOOLISH, but UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS."
Proverbs 1:10
"My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent."
John 3:19-20
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and MEN LOVED THE DARKNESS rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
Romans 3:12
"The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So LET US LAY ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS and put on the armor of light."
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For WHAT PARTNERSHIP CAN RIGHTEOUSNESS HAVE WITH WICKEDNESS? Or WHAT FELLOWSHIP DOES LIGHT HAVE WITH DARKNESS?"
Psalm 1:1-2Now, you may be thinking - "but we don't worship Satan, it's all about God for us. We're called to be the light in the dark. We can use this time to show God's love and light."
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night."
That's all great, but... are we actually doing that? I mean, how many of us are actually handing out scripture with candy, or talking about the gospel with people on Halloween night? If you are one who does, that's great! I used to think it was no big deal to "let the kids have some fun," I mean, "it's only one night... it's not like they're out there sacrificing a cat or anything."
But here's the deal. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. We are parents are planting seeds. They can be good seeds or bad seeds. Is it any wonder kids are dropping out of their faith when they hit college (or even before)? Halloween sends a mixed message to our kids. That it's okay to participate in pagan things as long as "that's not what it's about to you." Scripture would disagree with you. God tells us multiple times (see scripture above, there are many more references, I was trying to keep it short-ish) that we are to have NO fellowship with darkness. NONE. ZIP. ZERO. Not even a smidgen. We are to be SET APART. HOLY. DIFFERENT. WEIRD. THAT is how you turn people onto the faith. By looking different, so that they want that. So that they ask you questions about that. So that they one day can learn about the God who loves them SO MUCH, He wanted THEM to be set apart too.
Look, I am NOT JUDGING you and your family. If Halloween rolls around and you're posting pics of your kids, I am not sitting here proclaiming that your kid is a Satanist. Not even. All I am trying to do is to get you to think about the message we are sending to our kids. If we want them to be ALL IN for the Father, we need to plant the right seeds. The Bible tells us exactly HOW to do that - by not fellowshipping with darkness. The question is, do we continue to make excuses "because we want our kids to have some fun" or do we say, "NOPE. Not on my watch." and do EVERYTHING we can do to ensure our kids are rooted in a firm foundation? Love you all. <3
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