Halloween and Holiness: Followers of Christ Must Decide
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, has origins rooted in ancient traditions that involve themes of death, the supernatural, and the occult. For Christians, understanding origin and meaning of this holiday is crucial.
Halloween has connections to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which involved honoring the dead and rituals that are pagan or occult. Believers expected to examine the roots of the celebrations they participate in. Ephesians 5:11 reminds us, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
The Bible calls Christians to be lights in the world. When considering Halloween, believers should reflect on how their actions align with God’s calling to be separate from darkness. Engaging in practices that celebrate fear, death, or the occult can be at odds with a faith-centered life.
Scripture advises believers to avoid anything that could lead them away from God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we read, "Abstain from every form of evil." This directive serves as a powerful reminder that activities promoting fear or celebrating themes contrary to biblical teachings should be approached with caution. Unfortunately, many believers can be blind to the subtle ways evil manifests in our world, often overlooking its influence in seemingly innocent celebrations. Engaging in such activities can desensitize us to the seriousness of sin and compromise our witness as followers of Christ. We must remain vigilant and discerning, ensuring our choices reflect our commitment to God's truth and holiness.
Some Christians may attempt to offer alternatives to traditional Halloween celebrations, such as "Trunk or Treat" events. However, simply changing the name does not remove the underlying themes of this Satanic holiday. Celebrating Halloween in any form can lead to confusion about the seriousness of its origins and the darkness it represents. Instead of participating in events that mimic Halloween festivities, churches should focus on activities that clearly honor God and reflect His light, avoiding any association with practices that celebrate fear and the occult.
Romans 14:10-12 emphasizes that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account of our actions. It states, "But why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.' So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." This underscores the importance of living intentionally and making choices that reflect our faith, even in how we engage with cultural celebrations.
While Halloween may be celebrated as a day of fun and festivities for the world, followers of Christ should recognize it for what it truly represents. This holiday is rooted in themes that contradict the teachings of Scripture and promote fear, darkness, and the occult. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith and have nothing to do with practices that honor such influences. 1 Peter 4:5 reminds us, "But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." Instead of participating in Halloween, we should focus on reflecting Christ’s light in our lives and actively seek opportunities to share His love and truth with others. Our choices should always align with God’s Word, demonstrating that we are set apart and committed to honoring Him in all that we do.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”
Feel free to reach out: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.