The Everyday Christian’s Practical Guide To Halloween
As a follower of Jesus Christ, what is the correct response to Halloween?
Some people are deeply compelled to refrain from Halloween, while other Christians are just moderately conflicted. But most folks are simply out in their neighborhoods enjoying time with family, friends, and neighbors.
While God calls each of us to specific activities or fasting, this is an important topic that everyone should not take lightly. Let’s search our hearts and God’s Word.
Scripture of the Day:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Should We Abstain From Halloween?
Most of the population has extremely limited knowledge around the origins of Halloween and other holidays and are just following social traditions. Even fewer are aware and naive to the spiritual battles that surround us each and every day, not to mention a day like Halloween.
Some Christians close their doors to Halloween because dressing up in costumes mimics pagan practices that date back thousands of years. Some even call it the “devil’s holiday”. And while we are called to “be separate and Holy” (Leviticus 20:26), does this mean that we should abstain from Halloween? Further, should we celebrate Halloween and blindly follow the traditions of this world (Mark 7:8). By no means.
Ignoring the Problem Won’t Make It Go Away
The problem with abstaining is that Halloween is not going to go away. Like cancer, the damaging effects of Halloween are only going to increase if we as Christians ignore it, or worse yet, minimize and “gloss over” the problem of the worldly traditions ruling our lives. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). How are we going to let our light shine before others when our lights are off and our doors are closed to our neighbors and community?
Current Alternatives To Halloween Trick Or Treating Traditions
Many churches hold fall festivals as alternatives to Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating. And while this works for those who attend these fall festival alternatives, the majority of the population and community is not impacted. The current alternative is not really having significant kingdom impact in our communities.
Are There Hidden Dangers To Halloween?
Outside of the obvious dangers of encouraging demonic activity, there are equally serious and more hidden dangers for Christians on Halloween from those who are conflicted and speaking out against Halloween. One of the biggest hidden dangers for Christians during Halloween is that we become disconnected and we lose sight of loving our neighbors. (Mark 12:31) And a related danger is that our hearts are hardened and turned to judgement and condemnation of others. (Luke 6:37)
Ignoring Answered Prayers
So many Christians pray asking for God to use them. Then, Halloween comes around and hundreds of people come to our doors who we can minster to, and we turn off our lights and abstain from Halloween. We abstain from the very opportunity to connect with hundreds of people who are coming to our front doors in a single night. How many other nights provide us this same opportunity? Even more, many of those coming to our doorstep are the very people who desperately need God’s Word.
What Would Jesus Do?
In consideration of what to do this Halloween, let’s look at the life of Jesus and consider what he did. Jesus went out into the world and shared God’s Word and the good news at every opportunity. He spent time with tax collectors and sinners. He knew that “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Luke 5:31)
God’s Word And Our Declaration
This Halloween, let us stand on God’s Word and declare that:
- What the enemy intended for harm, God is going to use it for good, and for the glory of God (Genesis 50:20)
- Each one of us can have an impact in our neighborhoods and communities by sharing the joy and love of Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22)
- God is looking for everyday Christians who will take a small step of obedience toward the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and in sharing the gospel (Mark 16:15)
- God is looking for everyday Christians willing to honor and glorify His name this Halloween (Psalm 96:3)
Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.”
So what can an everyday Christian like myself do?
Sowing Seed of Faith – A Platform For Sharing God’s Word
My prayer for you this Halloween is that you see the opportunity to use this day as a mission and platform for sharing the Word of God. My challenge for you is that you take action this year and join us in the “Handing Out Scripture Challenge”
Handing Out Candy Bag Scriptures
We made up some great scriptures that you can download and print out for free, and hand these out to people who come knocking at your door this Halloween. We do this for every bag of candy that we hand out. It is super easy, welcoming, and fun. Yet it is so powerful. And it is something that every single Christian can prepare in around 30 minutes.
Here’s How Easy It Is: Halloween Candy Bag Scripture Toppers Free Download and Instructions
Kingdom Impact
How many people are going to knock on our front door this Halloween who are lost, depressed, lonely, or otherwise hurting and needing the touch of God? How many scripture seeds can we plant this Halloween that can begin to take root in our neighborhoods and communities?
Saving Lives – Now Is The Time
The end of the calendar year tends to have abnormally traditionally high suicide rates. How many seeds planted could save a life of a child or parent in your community?
And what better seed to sow this Halloween than God’s Word?
Every Word of God matters
Download and hand these scriptures out today
I call you blessed.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. We seek your presence in everything that we do. We want nothing more than to know you, and to walk in your divine purpose, in your divine authority, and in your love. Fill us with all of your Holy Spirit Lord, and all of your goodness. Wash us clean. Make us new. Let your light shine in us so that others will know of your goodness. We thank you Lord that the seeds that we plant today will take root and multiply 100 fold. We thank you for blessing and purpose and your divine intervention. We take authority over the evil forces of this world by the blood of Jesus. We give you all the honor and glory and praise today and forever, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: Job 22; Mark 7,8
Additional Scripture References:
- “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.’ ‘Therefore come out from among them and be separate’, says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'” – 2 Corinthians 6:16-17
- “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” – Mark 7:8
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” – Galatians 5:22
- In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:13-16
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
- “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
- “And he said to them, ‘Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'” – Mark 16:15
- “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples” – Psalm 96:3
- “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
- “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20
- Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. – Proverbs 30:5