Over the last couple of weeks, my social media pages have been flooded with conversations from believers on the topic of Halloween. Should we celebrate it? Or shouldn’t we? Should we just dress up like Bible characters?
Should we hide with the lights off? Should we ignore the controversy around it and let the kids be kids and have fun?
So many passionate responses land on both sides of the fence, yet the question remains.
How Should Christians Biblically Respond to Halloween?
Admittedly, this is a topic I myself have struggled with over the years. We have done everything from Christian costumes to leaving town for the night.
Yet, as believers, simply ignoring the night has been something that didn’t give me any more peace than the nights that we participated.
It wasn’t until I went to the Lord instead of social media, that my perspective on Halloween changed. In seeking Him, He reminded me of something that I was completely overlooking.
As believers, we are called to take the light into the darkness, not run away from it.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5, NLT).
Halloween is a night that is celebrated all over the world as a night that glorifies evil and desensitizes children to things that the enemy loves. So why do we, as Christians, hesitate to represent God in the middle of that darkness?
I think we would all agree that this world needs Jesus. I think we would all also agree that God has called us to share the good news of the gospel with those around us. Yet, for some reason, there is a disconnect between those concepts and Halloween.
Why are we allowing the devil to have any of our days? Instead, why don’t we make it our mission to use Halloween as an opportunity to spread the gospel? Children are coming to our doors, asking us for something.
And we have the one thing that will make a difference in their lives, the one thing that will last eternally, the one thing that will be the difference between life and death.
Why is it an option to just turn our lights off and pretend we aren’t home? To me, that sounds like fear — and a lot like giving up, which is exactly what the enemy would want.
I understand that it can be intimidating to think about sharing your faith. What do we say? What if they get upset with us?
Does Jesus Answer Our Questions in the Bible?
I am reminded of a time when the disciples had some of the same questions, and it may be helpful for us to take a look at how Jesus responded to them in Matthew 10.
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (v. 1).
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (vv. 7-8).
“Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (vv. 19b-20).
“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs” (vv. 26-27).
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (vv. 32-33).
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (v. 42).
Sharing Christ’s Love This Halloween
So, as we are faced with an opportunity to share Jesus with people who are literally coming to our doors, let us do so with the boldness and knowledge that Jesus has empowered us by the Holy Spirit to bring the light into the darkness.
For further reading:
5 Ways Christians Can Biblically Celebrate Halloween
5 Ways to Get to Know Your Neighbors This Halloween
Should Christians Share the Gospel During Halloween?
5 Myths about Halloween That Are Not Biblical
What's the Difference Between Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day?
6 Ways to Show Love and Not Legalism on Halloween
Why Was Evil Celebrated on Halloween in the Past and Is it Still Celebrated Today?
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