Every year, children and adults, choose to participate in celebrating Halloween, while contemporary Christians have chosen to repackage the celebration event with an alternative, named “trunk or treat”. Many will justify Halloween as acceptable, despite any religious pushback, stating that they’re not engaging with the evil side of this nationally recognized celebration, but only dressing up and having fun through social festivities, because they do not want to be left out. Some Christians will participate in the door-to-door “trick or treat” activity, while others have chosen to seek a more Christian appearing alternative through a local church, offering games, activities, and party foods for their children on this evening. The question we hope to address is whether we should be engaging with any of these options in the first place, instead of appealing to God through the power of prayer.
We recognize that people will hold to their own beliefs surrounding this topic, since it has been debated many times before. People will find justification to do as they please, regardless of any counterargument in opposition.
Our desire is to look at God’s word, to answer whether or not we should participate in Halloween through the secularized street activity of door-to-door trick or treating, or its alternative church function through trunk or treat.
To begin, we must recognize that the Power of Darkness is real, and that the demonic are active throughout this earthly realm in producing all forms of chaos and spiritual madness in those that are susceptible. And acknowledge that we too are easily susceptible, in our flesh, to the attacks of our enemy. Calling ourselves a Christian does not separate us from Spiritual attack, since we are no more immune to Spiritual warfare than a non-believer, if we open the door to the demonic.
The purpose of this discussion is to raise awareness of Satan’s schemes, and ways in which we choose to participate in falling prey for the traps he has set before us. We know first hand how crafty our enemy truly is, and we hope to help others steer clear from the pits he has placed before them, that lead to destruction.
This is not an argument about who is saved and who is not, or whether God’s grace is sufficient or not, pertaining to this discussion and participation in Halloween. However, we must be willing to look at God’s word for his instruction, and also recognize his appearance, if we are to resemble his likeness, as followers of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we must look at scripture to identify what evil looks like, and recognize that anything that is evil is contrary to God.
The Apostle Paul writes, “but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV, 2001, Crossway).
In the book of Proverbs, it is written, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil” (Proverbs 4:14). “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).
To the Ephesians, Paul writes, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
And to the Romans, Paul writes, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).
To the Corinthians, Paul writes, “No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he” (1Corinthians 10:20-22)?
These examples listed above, are not exhaustive, yet, they communicate to us instruction and warning. We would argue that scripture validates itself throughout each of the sixty-six books contained within the Bible, and clearly points out to the reader what resembles God, and what resembles Satan through wickedness. If our intent is to obtain wisdom through understanding, and live according to God’s instruction, then we will be best served to remain obedient rather than wise in our own flesh, or to satisfy its lust and passions rooted in the world.
Let’s recall that the Power of Darkness and the demonic are what we are tormented by in our flesh. And, it is our Spiritual Armor that we use against those attacks, found through the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, sword of the spirit, shield of faith, and the shoes for the readiness to spread the gospel of Christ (Ephesians 6:10-20).
We must also consider the description of what the demonic looks like in scripture. Remember, Jesus’ earthly ministry, when he healed the sick by casting out demons? This happened to the boy tormented with a demon, causing seizures (Matthew 17:14-21), and also to the naked demon possessed man who could not be subdued because of his strength (Mark 5:1-20).
These two examples are reminders of what the demonic are capable of inflicting on us, if we are not sensitive to the warning God is providing. However, many of us, through our negligence in adhering to God’s word, open doors to invite the demonic in. While the list of possible open doors that we might open is quite long, it can be summed up easily by observing whether it bears the likeness of God or Satan, good or evil, righteousness or wickedness, and love or hate.
At this point you may already be formulating your counterargument to support your participation in one or the other festivities previously mentioned. If this is you, then you have missed our point entirely. Our intent, is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in what God is trying to reveal, what is his nature, and what are his Spiritual fruits he desires for us to wear (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). May this not be you, but instead, that you are eager to align yourself to his image in all your ways. Do not allow your flesh to justify itself in participation with something that is at its essence, evil, and contrary to God’s likeness.
If you take time to educate yourself, you will encounter the origin of Halloween stemming from a pagan seasonal ritual, to honor the dead, and scare away evil spirits, through mythical practices. And, we are quite confident you will find other sources that tell you something else, not to mention, even supporting Christians to follow their own conscience, in regard to Halloween participation.
But, let us be very clear on this point. Our fleshly ears want to hear what we want to hear, and this is the trap that Satan uses against those who will not hear God’s truth.
If we accept that Halloween originally came from pagan origin, practicing divination through mythical practices, celebrating Samhain (Celtic deity), then we ought to recognize at this point that it is already contrary to God’s likeness. And, if we consider that Halloween is also tied to the occult, Satanism, and Witchcraft, then we are provided additional reason, as Christians, to expose evil rather than celebrate through any form of participation.
Once again, we must be willing to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us. However, we will not hear if our hearts and minds are already closed to God’s instruction.
We recognize that we will not convince any one of the evil associated with Halloween, if their heart attitude is firmly attached to their flesh. Yet, we do aspire to encourage Christians to be an example to those around them, and recognize that any level of participation, whether dressed up through Christianity or not, does not adhere to the nature of God’s word, or the biblical examples for us to follow.
It is our belief, that the Power of Darkness is more active on Halloween than any other time of the year. And that our participation, through a church “trunk or treat” alternative, is also misguided and opening those involved to increasing Spiritual attack, not to mention contributing towards the broader demonic rituals playing out in the world, through their participation.
After all, how are we to follow Christ, and not Satan, if we do not “test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV, 2001, Crossway).
We hope that this discussion has been thought provoking, and challenging towards your Spiritual awareness and growth. And with it, that you are able to expose Satan’s schemes more confidently, and become a champion of God’s truth in a world that is desperate for God’s light. Shine brightly.
In Christ.
