Throughout my ministry, I have been asked whether it is okay for Christians to observe Halloween. After all, some wonder, isn’t Halloween the devil’s holiday? Should Christian parents allow their children to dress up like ghosts, witches, or the devil and participate in trick-or-treat activities?
I have written on this topic before, and I continue to be of the opinion that Christian parents should be careful not to alienate their children by overreacting to minor issues and taking all the fun out of life. The roots of Halloween are unclear. For instance, “All Hallows’ Eve” (Halloween) was a Christian observance that began in the 7th century the night before “All Saints Day” (November 1st) to remember Christian martyrs, saints, and other Christians who had passed away. However, others point to earlier pagan traditions, which considered this night as when spirits were more likely to be present. Some traditions invited the spirits of their loved ones to feast with them, while others wore disguises to hide from evil spirits.
Nevertheless, the Bible instructs us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (See Romans 12:21). Parents should try to overcome the evils associated with Halloween with good. Christians can teach their children the various origins of Halloween. Use it as an opportunity to share about the martyrs who lost their lives standing boldly for the gospel. Christian parents should also share about Halloween’s pagan origins while warning that demonic power is real. Remind them that God’s power is greater, and because of Him, we should fear no evil. They can dress in alternative costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating without mimicking the wicked.
On that note, I am troubled by the excessive, seemingly over-the-top celebration of Halloween in recent years. Weeks in advance of Halloween, stores and homes everywhere are decorated with extravagant displays of skeletons, witches, zombies, graves, and effigies. The fascination and considerable effort to draw attention to death and darkness is strange! I’m concerned the increase in these displays has coincided with the considerable growth of the Wiccan religion in recent years. (See Newsweek: “Number of Witches Rises Dramatically Across U.S. As Millennials Reject Christianity”)
If you are a Christ-follower, I want to remind you of some spiritual truths:
1. The devil is real and is not to be welcomed… or mocked.
Jesus labeled Satan a liar and a murderer. The prince of darkness is real, and he is the archenemy of all that is good. He is not to be taken lightly or scoffed at. The Living Bible paraphrases 2 Peter 2:10-12 “These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.”
Believers should not toy with Ouija boards, participate in seances, visit fortune tellers, or get involved in any activity that calls on the spirits of this dark world. Neither should we decorate our homes with demonic representations. Instead, our homes should reflect allegiance to Jesus Christ — who one day will blow Satan away “with the breath of His mouth” (See 2 Thessalonians 2:8).
2. Christ-followers are to walk by faith and not fear.
Halloween is a deliberate attempt to create fear. The theme of darkness, graves, blood, skulls, vampires, and witches is designed to terrify. But, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
The Bible teaches Jesus’ vicarious death on the cross can cleanse us of sin and “…destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
It seems unwise to take delight in attempting to terrify when we are commanded to walk by faith and not by fear.
3. We are called to be distinctive and not to imitate the world.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
When I was a boy, our preacher shared a story I have never forgotten. He told of a king’s courtier who once searched for a new driver for his master’s chariot. Several experienced drivers were taken to a winding road next to a treacherous cliff. To test their skill, each was asked how close they thought they could bring the wheels of their carriage to the edge of the cliff without plummeting to disaster. The driver who was given the job quickly responded, “If the king were a passenger in my chariot, I’d stay as far away from danger as possible.”
That is good counsel for all of us who invite the King of Kings to be our daily companion. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11)
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