They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. Deuteronomy 32:5
God’s children need to be careful in how they act, who they associate with, and where they go. You can always tell when someone is not right with God; their trail in life is crooked, leading others down a road that does not please our Heavenly Father.
Every year people celebrate Halloween, and in these last few years it seems to be getting the same amount of attention as far as decorations go, that Christmas does, only with a different attraction. Lights hanging on trees and houses, ghosts, witches, graves, anything to do with the dark side of life are prompts in and around the home and yard to use to promote this heathen Holiday. Children are all getting excited, picking out a costume that will either scare someone or cause others to think they’re really cute. Halloween; a time when families get together and do something for fun, going door to door getting candy that will last for a whole year.
When we celebrate or participate in something, shouldn’t we know what we’re celebrating and why? What is it all about? What does it represent? Why are we doing it? When did it originate and why? These are questions we need to think about as children of God when we participate in something that is questionable.
Here are a few things to think about when you face something “Questionable”.
1. Does it offend God? (Exodus 20:1-17; I Samuel 15:22)
2. Does it offend others? (Romans 14:7, 13, 19-21;
I Corinthians 8:4-13, 10:31-33)
3. Does it offend my own conscience? (Acts 24:16;
Romans 14:14, 22-23; I Corinthians 8:7)
4. Will it tend to control me? (I Corinthians 6:12, 9:24-27)
5. Will it strengthen me spiritually? (I Corinthians 6:12, 10:23)
6. Will it glorify God? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20;10:31;
Colossians 3:23-25)
7. Will it make provision for the flesh? (Romans 13:12-14)
8. Will it form an unequal yoke? (II Corinthians 6:14-18)
9. Is it going to appear evil to others? (Romans 14:15-16;
I Corinthians 10:32; I Thessalonians 5:21-22)
10. Is my attitude right about it? (Romans 14:1-3, 10-13, 19;
12:10; 15:1-3; Ephesians 4:30)
11. Is it of the world or of the Father? (I John 2:15-17;
Romans 12:1-2)
12. Is it what I want to reap in my children?
(Exodus 20:5 & 6; Galatians 6:7)
13. Is it what Jesus would do? (I Peter 2:21)
Many Christians have different viewpoints concerning this Holiday in October. Some will participate in it without really getting deeply involved. They let their children go to only their neighbor’s homes or churches that have trunk treats in their parking lots. Hum, don’t want to bring it into the church, but will do it on church property. To me this is hypocritical and can be confusing to a child. Let’s see, they can dress up but only in something that does not represent Halloween. They can bring a bag to stuff and fill with candy. They can have fun celebrating a day that others also celebrate only in a different way. I know I’m stepping on some toes here, but I want to get my brothers and sisters in Christ to really think about living in a world that is totally against Biblical standards. I want and hope more Christians will see the importance of taking a stand for Christ, even if they’re the only one in their church doing so. There are a few denominations who shun this holiday totally! We as God’s children need to start setting examples and quit following the world’s standards. Not participating in something that our country celebrates will surely catch some eyes and a chance to be a witness for Christ. Questions will arise to why? Why don’t you?
Galatians 5:19-26
Verses 19-21: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (v20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (v 21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Question: Why would a child of God participate in something that is against God? Halloween is a day witches celebrate, that alone should get one to thinking. In v 20 of Galatians 5, one of the words used is “Emulate” or to put it another way: To strive to equal - imitate. Are we not imitating a pagan holiday by putting into practice some of its origin into a day we like to call “Harvest Celebration” so children won’t think we’re celebrating Halloween? Let’s see, they dress up, they get candy; they just don’t go through the neighborhood, they go through the parking lot or come into our churches to get goodies. Our “Harvest Day” is actually “Thanksgiving Day”, a day to give thanks to God for all He’s abundantly given us.
Another word used is “heresies”. This means opinion or practice contrary to church doctrine. We cannot pick and choose which scripture we intend to believe is relevant in our society today, we are responsible to God to believe all His word not just part of it. The Old Testament is given to us as well as the New Testament…for our learning.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The origin of Halloween started with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced: sow-in). People would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. They celebrated their new year November 1st, and believed the night before the new year (Oct 31st) the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred or foggy. The night of Oct. 31st they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghost of the dead returned to earth. They also believed that the Druids or Celtic priests could better make predictions about the future during this time. To commemorate the event Druids would build huge bonfires where people would bring their crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins. I guess that’s where our attire on Halloween came to play a role.
The Bible is very clear on this kind of activity, concerning God’s children we should NOT get involved. But many Christians don’t believe they are doing anything wrong by taking or letting their children go through the streets all dressed up. Their thought is this: “They’re just having fun!” Hum, have you noticed the destruction that preludes this holiday, it also has a name, “Devil’s Night”. I wonder why? Are they who cause havoc on this night, just following or imitating their father the Devil?
(Deuteronomy 18:10-11) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, (sometimes human sacrifice) or that useth divination, (magic) or an observer of times, or an enchanter, (one who interprets omens) or a witch, (v 11) Or a charmer, (one who casts a spell) or a consulter with familiar spirits, (a medium, a wizard, one who pretends to know about the unseen world) or a wizard, or a necromancer. (one who inquires about the dead)
Halloween is a night people like to dress up differently then how they normally look, and maybe even scare someone. It’s a time when death seems to be the theme and evil the main focus as far as costumes and decorations go. “Haunted Houses” also play out this topic and those who go to them come out either laughing, crying, screaming or totally scarred. Why would anyone subject their child to such horror?
I can hear people saying, “Who are you to judge?” I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a Christian, a Believer in the Truth, a Disciple, one who continues to learn and hopefully teaches others. I am one who used to also participate in this holiday, but God changed my heart years ago that I no longer do or can. I use to excuse my involvement, thinking it was alright because I could hand out a tract along with the candy, hoping a child or parent would get saved. I did this for years, but never had peace as I put candy in a pillow case, a bucket, or a child’s hand.
