Growing up, Halloween was marked by the unsettling quiet that filled the house when the air conditioner no longer roared because of the summer heat. The air was cooler, crisper. Every year, my family would carefully unpack the boxes containing the season's decorations that had the scent of pinecones clinging to them. A lighted Jack-o’-Lantern with a smile that was more friendly than scary. The gray wolf howled when we pressed his back. A dangling spider. And, the family favorite, an adorable drawing of a raccoon dressed as a bandit, ready to go trick-or-treating.
My mother often said that the scariest part of our decorations on Halloween night was the spooky music that emanated from a recorder in our mailbox. Kids would shuffle up the hill to our house and giggle at the sound of the eerie music. The focus was on autumn-themed fun, not the occult.
Yet for many individuals, celebrating Halloween is not about the decorations, costumes, or candy, for these things are not wrong in and of themselves. The issue is the philosophy behind the holiday and what it encourages, specifically an interest in darkness, magic, and the occult. Not wanting to give the devil a foothold, many Christians close the door altogether on Halloween.
Scripture has much to say about demons and darkness, witches, and divination, but some verses talk about Christian freedom. How should a believer navigate these teachings and apply them to life? Well, perhaps the answer is closer to how my mother sorted candy after we went trick-or-treating––throw out the suspicious candy and keep the safe treats. The Bible can help us do likewise, sifting through the bad so we can decide what to do with the good.
Love Opens the Door to Be a Witness for Our Faith ...Even on Halloween
Too often, discussions about celebrating Halloween focus on condemning those who decide to participate in the holiday. Christian articles on this topic can sometimes err too much on the side of listing everything that is wrong with the day. These articles can even promote legalism.
Believers need to remember that the majority of individuals (Christian and non-Christian) who celebrate Halloween do not participate in the occult or promote the worship of demons. Ouija boards and ghost hunts are not on the schedule for most families who take their kids trick-or-treating or attend a friend’s fall party. For many, it is just a day for fall-themed fun.
Regardless of our personal convictions about this day, we must acknowledge the problem of a judgmental attitude. If we take an accusatory stance towards others, we immediately hinder any opportunity to connect with neighbors or friends and share the gospel. Halloween offers unique topics of conversation with others and avenues for ministry. For example, Trunk-or-Treat attracts many families yearly, serving as a gateway for Christian witness. People could also form friendships by discussing their interest in candy or pumpkin. Suppose we are meant to shine as lights for Jesus in a dark world. In that case, we should not hide the light by pointing fingers or self-righteously judging our neighbors for decorating their yard with plastic skeletons (see Matthew 5:16). Numerous people view this day as a time for fun, not as an indication that they support Satan or the occult.
Biblical Prohibitions against Divination and Witchcraft
Of course, there are legitimate issues with the occult, and the church should not turn a blind eye to the influence of darkness. Scripture speaks strongly against occult activities, such as necromancy, divination, and witchcraft (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-11). In the book of Acts, we find early Christians publicly declaring their refusal to participate anymore in the occult by burning scrolls and items related to sorcery (Acts 19:19).
The Bible reminds us that God is greater than all, including the devil and his demons. During Moses’ time, the Egyptian magicians assumed they wielded power because of their magic, in association with their worship of the Egyptian gods. Still, it was Aaron’s staff that ate the staff of the magicians (Exodus 7:12). And although they could replicate some of the plagues, they eventually could not copy the others (Exodus 7:22; 8:18). Yahweh, the true God of all, showed Himself as greater than all else through the plagues on Egypt, especially during the plague on the firstborn and the miracle of Passover (Exodus 11:5; see also Exodus 7:5).
Jesus’ death and resurrection also showed that He defeated the powers of darkness. The Bible says that “he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15, NIV). Nothing can overcome the Light of the world (John 1:5).
His victory is good news to those ensnared by the fear of spirits or entrenched in the occult. For example, many modern pagans and wiccans have their own celebrations on Halloween, even seeing it as a sacred night in which the veil between the realms of the living and the dead is thin. These celebrations, which involve rituals and communication with the dead, are what believers should be wary of, since such acts are in clear violation of God’s Word (unlike the trick-or-treaters searching for candy). Whether we celebrate Halloween or not, we should affirm that the powers of evil in the spiritual realm have been defeated–the Lord is far greater than any demons or principalities in the spiritual realm.
Guarding Ourselves from an Unhealthy Obsession with the Occult
Like the disciples of the early church who burned their scrolls, believers should stand firm in their relationship with Christ. This involves guarding ourselves from an unhealthy interest in the occult, especially if we were involved with it in the past. Halloween could be a tempting time to delve into a previous fascination with the spiritual realm. Or it could lead some believers into darkness with an interest in the occult and/or other sinful habits.
For example, some horror movies (which are popular forms of entertainment on Halloween) and other activities are associated with the occult, with representations of divination and witchcraft. Ouija is widely marketed as a children’s game in stores. Tarot cards have also gained popularity; some individuals may play just to satisfy their curiosity. Yet, those interested in these activities could expose themselves to spiritual harm. And this would not be solely in a fictional realm, as some non-Christians assume. Seeking out communication with “the other side” leaves a person vulnerable to demonic attack and influence.
We should acknowledge, though, that this unhealthy obsession with the occult is not something that only happens during Halloween. People can just as easily become enamored with an empty spirituality by reading horoscopes year-round, using crystals for healing, or consulting a medium. Witchcraft, divination, and necromancy are always sinful and unhealthy activities.
Freedom to Celebrate Holidays
However, the Bible contains principles to help us keep the proper perspective when it comes to holidays. The Apostle Paul’s discussion of Christian freedom provides guidelines regarding holidays, including Halloween. He told the Roman believers that some of them might consider meat sacrificed to idols as forbidden, while others did not. Or they might view certain days as more holy than others. Instead of taking sides, Paul showed the church that there is freedom in Christ and that the believer’s aim should be to glorify the Lord and edify their brothers and sisters (Romans 14:5-6, 19). The one convinced that meat sacrificed to idols was clean could eat with a clean conscience, while being aware of how their actions might affect those around them. Likewise, they could observe special days, or not, according to their individual conscience. Love was the greater matter in these cases, loving the Lord and their neighbor.
Christians today can learn from this teaching of their freedom in Christ. We can choose to engage in the celebration of holidays or decide to abstain. One option is not superior to the other. However, we should not make our choice a standard for other believers. Those in the early church who believed they could, in good conscience, eat meat sacrificed to idols did not impose this rule on others. Instead, they were willing to lay this freedom aside for a brother or sister who viewed such food as unclean and unfit for eating (Romans 14:13-15).
Judging others about whether they celebrate Halloween and enforcing rules surrounding this day contradicts the emphasis on peace and mutual edification in Paul’s letter (Romans 14:19). If a Christian chooses to decorate their house and take their children trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, giving thanks for the opportunity to build memories and have family fun, then they can do so. Similarly, if a family chooses to abstain from observing this day, opting instead to celebrate Reformation Day or All Saints’ Day, then they can also do so in good conscience. The Lord is glorified in both instances.
What is not glorifying or edifying is when people make celebrating holidays a condition for salvation or claim that they are spiritually greater for their choice. As Paul said, “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:10, NIV). May we approach our interactions with others during this “spooky season” with a healthy awareness of the future judgment. Love should be our focus, not condemnation.
Recognizing and Celebrating what Is Good
None of us can deny that there are many good and beautiful aspects of autumn: Pumpkins. Changing colors of leaves. Harvests. Many people also find that Halloween has good features worth celebrating. If the Bible says that every good and perfect gift is from above, then what is worthwhile in this holiday is surely an expression of God’s goodness (James 1:17).
Recognizing and celebrating the beauty and gifts of the season is a distinctly Christian activity, for we honor the Lord when we thank Him for His blessings. We should express gratitude for the smiles on kids’ faces when they dress up as their favorite character and excitedly collect candy from neighbors. Meeting friends to pick a pumpkin and carve it is also a blessing. And Jesus’ defeat of the powers of evil gives us more than enough reason to give thanks. There are many things to celebrate if we pause and notice.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Kristina Paukshtite
