5 Reasons To Steer Clear
For some reason, whether Christians should participate in Halloween has been quite the subject of debate. Some believe it’s just harmless fun and don’t want to feel left out of the festivities. Others recognize the spiritual implications behind the day and warn against its dangers. Ultimately, as Christians, every decision we make should be done through the lens of the Bible, not the opinions of man. At KCM, we believe the Bible is clear on the matter of Halloween. We’re providing answers to the question, Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? with these five reasons to steer clear.
For an article based on the experience of Riley Stephenson, KCM Minister of Evangelism, where he views Halloween as an opportunity to outreach, see here.
1. Halloween Is Rooted in Fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” –2 Timothy1:7 (NKJV)
Fear is front and center at Halloween. Haunted houses, horror movies and scary costumes abound. Decorations are focused on death and ideas that instill fear, especially in young children. Some people see this as harmless fun, but God’s Word says otherwise.
The Bible tells us repeatedly to fear not. That’s because fear involves torment and opens the door to the devil in our lives (1 John 4:18). Fear is the opposite of faith. It’s an opposing force, and it outright opposes God. Fear is not fun, and it should not be tolerated in the life of a believer.
When we entertain a spirit of fear – on any level – we are engaging with and giving audience to the devil, and that is dangerous. You may not necessarily see the fruit of it on the night of Halloween, but when you participate in Halloween, you plant a seed in your heart that gives Satan place to take ground in your life. You don’t want that!
This doesn’t mean you have to turn off your light and shut your door to the world. In fact, KCM’s pastor of evangelism, Riley Stephenson, has some tips for how you can reach out with light in the darkness during Halloween HERE.
Watch Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach you why fear is not OK!
2. Halloween Is a Wiccan Holiday
“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.” – Ephesians 5:11 (ESV)
Halloween is considered a high holy day in satanic ranks. Christians should have no part in anything celebrated by those who operate in the deepest realms of darkness.
So serious is even the slightest engagement with evil that when Paul had taught the truth to the Ephesians, “those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all” (Acts 19:19, ESV). They knew any type of engagement with evil would become a snare, and they wanted nothing more to do with it!
That’s how we need to look at things like Halloween, astrology, mediums, psychics or movies filled with the spirit of fear. Additionally, witchcraft is detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-13). All of these things are dangerous, and no temporary entertainment is worth compromising our faith and opening any part of our lives to the work of the devil. He is the one we are wrestling with every day in our health, finances and family. To join hands with him, even for a moment, is operating outside of wisdom (Ephesians 6:12).
3. Halloween Doesn’t Honor God
“Do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)
As witnesses to the world of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us, everything we say and do should bring glory and honor to God the Father. If it doesn’t, we should ask ourselves if it is really something we should be doing. Dressing up like a goblin, playing dark music and celebrating the devil’s day does not bring glory to God.
Colossians 1:10 (ESV) tells us “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Halloween has never been a day to honor God. That’s enough reason alone to steer clear.
4. Halloween Magnifies Death and Darkness
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” –Isaiah 5:20 (NKJV)
The Bible makes it simple—light and darkness do not mix. Halloween magnifies death and darkness. Tombstones, zombies, witches, skeletons and the like are not of God, and they are not life. We are called to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19) and to magnify the things of God, which Philippians 4:8 tells us are true, noble, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy, pure and admirable.
The activities surrounding Halloween have occultic roots that have nothing to do with light, life and the nature of God. They are contrary to Him. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are also committing to renounce Satan and his practices.
5. Halloween Joins You With the World
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” –2 Corinthians 6:14
Christians will always look different from the world—in a good way! That’s because God has called us to be set apart. Some people want everyone to like them, to always fit in and feel included. The problem with that is found in James 4:4, which says, “If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”
Many times, our difference from the world will cause others to persecute us. It comes with the territory (2 Timothy 3:12). But beyond that, it serves as a light shining in the darkness. Those same people who persecute you will turn to you first in a time of crisis because they know you have something they don’t—something they need (John 8:12).
We are called to be set apart (2 Corinthians 6:17) and choose who we will serve (Joshua 24:15). It is an honor to be “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
We hope this information has helped you look at Halloween from a biblical perspective and make a positive choice moving forward. Even if you have celebrated Halloween in the past, don’t feel guilty! The purpose of this information is not to make you feel condemned or ashamed, but to help you steer clear of the things that will hinder you from living the most victorious life possible. Make a decision to renounce the activities and celebration of Halloween and declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
