Is Halloween the devil’s holiday?
Are Christians sinning if they dress in costumes for a party or trick-or-treating?
The History of Halloween
What began as a holiday to mark the harvest time and the changing of seasons, ancient Celtic traditions used to emphasize the spiritual. The night between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 was seen as a window of chaos when the spiritual world was especially accessible to the physical world. Masks, costumes, and bonfires were adopted to keep away evil powers and spirits of the dead.
Catholic influence led to the creation of All Saints’ Day around AD 600 to honor dead Christians and church leaders from the past. These are false doctrines made by men.
All Saints’ Day was Nov. 1, making the night of Oct. 31 All Hallows Eve, which is where we get the name for Halloween
What God Calls Evil
Evil spirits, mythical creatures, and demonic activity get a lot of attention around Halloween. It’s essential to use God’s perspective in the Bible to draw a distinction between what’s merely a cultural tradition and what’s destructive.
Witchcraft, sorcery, and other practices are wrong because they’re harmful for people and elevate connection with spiritual forces instead of connection with God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13 NIV
[10] Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, [11] or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. [12] Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. [13] You must be blameless before the Lord your God.
It’s essential to use God’s perspective in the Bible to draw distinction between what’s merely a cultural tradition and what’s destructive.
Getting involved in and obsessed with the spiritual world apart from Jesus often leads to a dangerous place of openness with demonic powers. God warns against trying to speak with spirits and the dead because He’s got a better life in store for us.
Leviticus 20:6-7 NIV
[6] “ ‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people. [7] “ ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.
Trick or Treat or Not?
What about candy, costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating?
The Bible doesn’t directly say not to participate in Halloween. What the Bible doesn’t explicitly prohibit, we have the freedom to make decisions about using wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead us. If we listen to Jesus and do what He says, He will never lead us away from Himself.
If dressing in costumes and going door to door offends your conscience, don’t do it.
If it doesn’t bother you, then you have the freedom to participate. As a church, we refrain from using the word (HALLOWEEN) because it can cause some to stumble. Christians are free to have a costume party with fellowship, food and fun. We ask those who attend to not wear scary or any offense Halloween attire.
But we must not impose our personal conscience issues on others. We have the freedom to navigate these decisions because God gave us this freedom
1 Corinthians 10:23-30 NIV
[23] “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. [24] No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. [25] Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, [26] for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” [27] If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. [28] But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. [29] I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? [30] If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
How Christians Can Celebrate Holidays
Holidays aren’t inherently good or bad. They’re simply specific days different people celebrate for different reasons, and that’s OK
Romans 14:4-5 NIV
[4] Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. [5] One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
A person is not more or less godly for celebrating (or not celebrating) a certain day of the year.
*The most important question is not whether you will observe Halloween, but how and why you celebrate it.*
For some, Halloween is an opportunity to make memories doing something fun with their children. For others, it’s a great chance to meet their neighbors, grow a relationship with them, and eventually invite them to church and to meet Jesus.
Faith in Jesus doesn’t restrict our options; it allows us to use God’s wisdom in choosing the best option in every situation
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV
[31] So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. [32] Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— [33] even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
From an unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist
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