Halloween fun; Or is it, gives the believer a picture of how this holiday began, its dangers and deception of fun, and how to address it as a Christian. This particular holiday is regarded as one of the most confusing and controversial ones being celebrated within the Christian community today.
Children, as well as adults all across the globe, seem to come alive with various plans of trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods, scary hayrides and haunted houses (these included: jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, bobbing for apples, fortune-telling, crystal balls, telling scary stories, skeletons, spiders and their webs, scary beasts, images or holograms of murderous killings, and other sinister, frightful things), and/or scary and seemingly innocent parties in homes and schools.
You will also find that many of our churches of every denomination these days are hosting parties with games, door prizes, scary and funny costumes, along with yummy, salted and candied treats to make the event even sweeter.
This is truly a ludicrous practice for that someone who would claim to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and one who professes to be a follower of His. How upsetting it is to God to see how His children can be lured into this deception of a fun activity to participate in.
According to Wikipedia, " various names have been given to this event, such as: All Hallows Eve, AllHalloween, or All Saints Eve, which is and has been observed by Western Christians and many non-Christians around the world. October 31st of every year is the beginning of the three-day observance of 'Allhallowtide', which is the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from the Celtic/Gaelic harvest festivals. One in particular is Samhein, possibly having pagan roots, but was "Christianized" by the early Catholic Church. Many of the Catholic churches today still celebrate "All Saints Day" with the lightening of candles on the graves of the dead, praying to the dead, and abstaining from eating meat. Elsewhere however, it is a more commercial and 'secular' celebration.'"
Furthermore, according to www.livescience.com, "As for modern Halloween, Santino, writing in ' American Folklore: An Encyclopedia' (Garland 1996), noted that "Halloween beliefs and customs were brought to North America with the earliest Irish immigrants, then by the great waves of Irish immigrants fleeing the famines of the first half of the nineteenth century. Known in the North American continent, since colonial days, by the middle of the twentieth century Halloween had become largely a children's holiday." Since that time the holiday's popularity increased dramatically as adults, communities and institutions (such as schools, campuses, and commercial haunted houses) have embraced the event."
Regardless of its origin however, any believer in Christ should take notice here that the so-called "Christianization" of this holiday does not mean that it is indeed Christian. Many people believe that Catholics are Christians as well, but just because they include the Holy Bible and the Catholic Bible in their religion, they have a false doctrine, and one that is not truly biblical at all. So since there is Catholic influence within this holiday, and one that includes honoring, celebrating and praying to the dead, which does not line up with Scripture, this must be avoided at all costs and should in no way be part of a believer's life.
Dangers in the customs of celebrating and practicing the sheer recklessness and folly of this holiday are real and many for the Christian believer, and one needs to be very discerning when it comes to deciding whether or not to participate in its "fun" and celebrations.
A few times in the past, as a young mother with a small child at home, I would allow my daughter to go out into our neighborhood trick-or-treating with her best friends from school because she wanted to do as everyone else and did not want to feel left out of the fun. Of course, at the time, I thought I was being a good mom and would go out with her and her friends just to make sure they were safe as they went around the neighborhoods.
My discerning "radar" was not as acute then as it is now however, and as I look back from that time I would definitely have done things differently and would not have allowed her to go and participate in all the festivities of Halloween. I realize many parents would argue me on this point--those who are Christian and those who are not. But I know that God is watching me; furthermore, I will be accountable to Him in how I am raising up my daughter. He requires that I train her in His way, not mine. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 to, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it."
So, what are the dangers of celebrating Halloween? Here are just a few to consider:
You or others may personally think there is really nothing wrong with Halloween itself or in celebrating it, after all, it seems a bit harmless. Many Christian families believe this and they get on the same bandwagon as do all the non-believers out there in the world. God's Word is and should always be a "lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path," (Psalms 119:105), and its message must never be mixed or compromised.
Here are a few passages of Scripture that will make this issue clearer in our minds as to what our Lord expects of His children when the dangers of sin are present:
I implore you to reconsider as you think of who owns you and directs your life, the One who is the head and master of your life. If you celebrate this holiday, or give credence to it in any way, your testimony will be hindered and you will not be as effective in witnessing to others with the gospel. Do not be impressed with the world nor with worldly things. Therein lies the danger of forgetting God.
Here are a few passages that demonstrate this point:
As you can see, Halloween has no place in the life of a Christian believer and should never be considered as an activity of fun or a pleasurable diversion in our lives. With it brings deception and every other kind of evil which is presented to us and our children as something that is fun and good.
I want to encourage you and all who are in your family to take a stand against this evil holiday, its practices and vile activities, and whatever else comes with it. Acts 17:28 reminds us that, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being..."
May you always say, be, and do what is obedient, faithful, and honorable to Him, Who is above all precious and holy, and He will abundantly reward you for it in the end.
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