A common saying during Halloween time is “Have a Spooky Halloween.” When someone tells us to have a spooky Halloween, many of us may become confused because we don’t understand what it means.
Similar to many phrases we learn, we often neglect understanding the meaning behind the phrase. Halloween can be a controversial subject for many individuals, yet there is no harm in simply saying, “Have a Spooky Halloween.”
Have a Spooky Halloween
The idea behind the phrase to have a spooky Halloween is to have a good Halloween. Since Halloween is about spookiness, it is common for us to replace the phrase of having a “good Halloween” with having a “spooky Halloween” instead.
The word spooky is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “relating to, resembling, or suggesting spooks.” “Spooks” is another word for “ghosts.”
Therefore, when something is referred to as being spooky, it can refer to ghosts, but normally “spooky” is more lighthearted than scarier ideas of Halloween. Spooky can refer to cute descriptions of ghosts, Halloween costumes, or Halloween activities.
Normally, spooky is not anything dark or scary, including horror movies, dark Halloween pranks, or scary activities. While many individuals enjoy the darker side of Halloween, as Christians, we need to ensure we do not participate in occultist activities during this holiday.
It is fine to participate in Halloween activities as long as they do not lead an individual astray. A fascination or obsession with ghosts or the paranormal can lead to an interest in the occult.
As individuals, we need to be able to discern for ourselves the best practices surrounding Halloween.
Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?
The question of whether Christians can celebrate Halloween is up for debate among many individuals. Ultimately, we all have freedom in Christ, yet we should not use our freedom as a cover-up for evil (Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16).
Halloween can be a fun holiday, but as Christians, we should not allow it to become super scary or dark. These types of Halloween activities are not enjoyable for most individuals, especially children.
When we tell someone to “Have a Spooky Halloween,” we are not telling them that we hope they have the scariest Halloween known to man. Rather, we are telling them that we hope they have a good Halloween, one that is enjoyable.
“Having a Spooky Halloween” is normally aimed at children or those who don’t enjoy a scary Halloween. My family and I adhere to a more lighthearted form of Halloween rather than a scary holiday.
A “Spooky Halloween” would include aspects such as cute pumpkin carvings, baking Halloween-themed cookies, or going trick-or-treating for children.
I have many friends who enjoy the scarier side of Halloween, and that is perfectly fine for them as it is within their Christian freedom to celebrate as they wish. It all comes down to personal convictions and personal choice.
For a period of time, after my mother died, my family and I never celebrated Halloween. My mom passed about two weeks before Halloween; therefore, my family and I associate the month of October more with the anniversary of my mom’s death instead of the holiday Halloween. We did not celebrate Halloween again until last year, and at that, it wasn’t much.
As individuals, it is fine to celebrate Halloween as long as you’re not getting involved with the occult or extremely dark practices. Many individuals play Ouija boards for Halloween, and this practice should be greatly discouraged.
Ouija boards, similar to other dark practices associated with Halloween, are forms of the occult. God warns us against being involved in divination and anything involved with the occult.
God tells us directly, “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, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11).
Even though these practices listed in Deuteronomy 18:10-11 are accepted by society during the time period of Halloween, we should not endorse these practices, nor should we be involved with them either.
Rather, we need to go against these practices and help others turn away from these practices. Witches are a common theme for Halloween, yet we should not be involved in actual witchcraft. Dressing up as a witch is fine as long as you are not participating in the occult.
As Christians, we tend to be up in arms over Halloween. Simply saying “Have a Spooky Halloween” can cause many Christians to become judgmental of those who say this phrase. This phrase in and of itself is not wrong, nor is it sinful.
Simply wishing someone to “Have a Spooky Halloween” is no reason to shun someone or look down upon them. Christians should not take the extremist view that all things associated with Halloween are evil because it is not true.
“Having a Spooky Halloween” is associated with lighthearted aspects of Halloween that are not involved with the occult. Drawing, coloring, or doing crafts for Halloween is not “pagan,” nor is it wrong.
Whether you choose to “Have a Spooky Halloween” yourself is up to you. Every single person is given freedom in Christ to freely make this decision on their own. If you feel convicted to not be involved with anything related to Halloween, then don’t.
However, if you feel you can celebrate a Spooky Halloween in good conscience, you may do so. We should not condemn those who take an opposing view of ourselves, as we all have freedom in Christ.
Rather, we should respect each other’s opinions when it comes to various holidays, including Halloween.
This is not to say it is alright for Christians to be involved in occultist activities because, as previously mentioned, these are forbidden (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). There is a difference between dressing up for Halloween and actually becoming involved in the occult.
Children dress up like witches for Halloween, and it is fine, yet if a person is actively involved in Wicca, then it is not right. As Christians, we have to use our own discernment when it comes to these views and decisions.
The Lord has given us each the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us to help, guide, and instruct us. If you are unsure about whether you can participate in having a “Spooky Halloween,” go to God in prayer, read His Word, and listen to Him.
Thus, we say “Have a Spooky Halloween” to wish someone a good Halloween. Spooky is not normally associated with the scarier side of Halloween as it is more lighthearted and fun.
Many activities involved with a “Spooky Halloween” are different activities of fall, such as going to a pumpkin patch, carving a pumpkin, or shopping for candy to hand out to kids on Halloween.
The frightening and terrifying aspects of Halloween are not associated with having a “Spooky Halloween.”
The more intense and dark parts of Halloween cannot be as easily passed off by Christians because much of the interest surrounding Halloween can lean towards the direction of the occult or demons.
Why Does This Matter?
As Christians, we always need to follow the light, Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves if the Lord Himself would approve of our activities.
In your own heart and through speaking with God, you will be able to discern if you would like to celebrate Halloween or not.
Whether you feel you can or not, do not discriminate against those who take the opposite view as yourself. Even if you are not into Halloween, you can still wish others a Spooky Halloween.
For further reading:
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Why Do We Celebrate Fear at Halloween?
What Is the History of Halloween?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Siarhei Kalesnikau
