Good morning guys! I know I haven’t been blogging in a while but life has been excitingly busy, which I will get to that in another post.
This morning I would like to touch on the past holiday which is known as Halloween. I have strong feelings about this “holiday.” I am completely against it. I found this blog post that shares my thoughts and feelings exactly.
Re-posted – Colorado Christian News, October 1995, author’s name not published
The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth.
Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in American society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in frequent horror movies and television programs.
My family does not celebrate it or participate in it. We do not believe that our children are “missing out,” and neither do they. Other days are used for costumes and parties. Happily, all of our children have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We have found that Halloween provides an excellent time to remind our children that, as Christians, we are different, and not of this world (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).
What about church “Harvest Festivals” held on October 31? Although we understand the rational and good intentions behind them, we don’t think they are the best approach. Our family tends to agree with the author of an article called “Are ‘Harvest Parties’ for Christians?” (written by a self-avowed former witch and now active Christian). Harvest parties on October 31 tend to assume that “our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won’t be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration.” There are better things to do on Halloween than partying.
Also, we need to teach our children that “the fight isn’t against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but” “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV).
Relevant Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22—“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
Philippians 4:8—think about pure, lovely, noble things
James 1:27—“keep oneself from being polluted by the world”
3 John 1:11—“do not imitate what is evil”
Romans 12:9—“abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
Deuteronomy 18:9-14—do not learn to imitate detestable ways, including spiritists, sorcerers and witchcraft
Ephesians 5:11-12—“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness” / “live as children of light”
1 Timothy 4:1—don’t ”follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”
2 Corinthians 6:14-17—“what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
1 Corinthians 11:1—“follow the example of Christ”
1 Corinthians 10:31—“whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God”
James 4:7-8—submit yourselves to God, resist the devil, purify your hearts
Ezekiel 44:23—“…teach my people… to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”
Proverbs 22:6—“train a child in the way he should go”
Matthew 18:6—“if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin…”
Hosea 4:6—“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
John 3:19-20—fallen man loves darkness instead of light
Romans 13:12—“put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Ephesians 6:11-18—“take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
2 Chronicles 7:14—humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn away from wicked ways—and God will heal our land
Are October 31 “Harvest Parties” the best alternative for Christians?
“What are you doing for Halloween?” Ask a Christian parent this question, and be prepared to hear an answer like, “Nothing! We don’t celebrate Halloween.“ Thunder crashes, and you creep away, embarrassed for even asking.
“What are you doing ON Halloween?” Ask the same parent this slightly altered question, and their whole manner and response brightens. “Why,” they begin, as birds begin to sing and sunshine breaks through the cumulus clouds. “We’re all going to the Harvest Party at church!” A choir sings. A trumpet sounds. You feel privileged just knowing these saints.
Let’s take a look at the typical Harvest Party.
- It is a celebration.
- It is chaperoned (usually).
- It may have costumes.
- Games are played.
- Contests are held.
- Food abounds.
- Music blares.
- Everyone enjoys themselves.
Certainly, nothing to get concerned about, right? The problem, however, lies in the billing. The Harvest Party is usually referred to as the Christian alternative to traditional Halloween hijinx. Alternative, however, implies substitute. It assumes our children need something to take the place of Halloween, since they won’t be participating in the secular and pagan celebrations. It suggests our kids are missing out on something. And indeed they are, if we allow them to spend Halloween in celebration.
If we are to train our children to be soldiers in the army of Christ, why would we sign a pass for them to go on leave when the battle is escalating on the front lines?
As a child of four, I contacted the first of many spirit guides (read: demons) while playing with a Kindergarten classmates’ ouija board at a chaperoned Halloween party. This spiritual assault ignited an intrigue with the supernatural that culminated in my lifestyle as a practicing witch: divination, necromancy, channeling, astrology, psychic ability, and spell working. It wasn’t until I was twenty that I met the real Jesus Christ, and was released from the trap that Satan had set for this young prisoner of war sixteen years earlier.
There are too many causalities on Halloween and far too few troops fighting the enemy. Instead of partying on Halloween, teach your children how to fight. Keep them aware that the fight isn’t against occultists, non-Christians, Christians who feel differently than we about Halloween, or institutions that promote Halloween, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers or darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
How do we teach our children to wrestle spiritually?
- Discourage them from participating in traditional Halloween activities (2 Timothy 2:4). Then tell them why.
- Encourage them to pray on a regular, daily basis (Ephesians 6:18). Let them know first hand the power that we have in prayer. All Christians should know how to fight on their knees.
- Remind them to be alert and self-controlled (1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Give them the discipline of knowing it is their responsibility to keep watch. They, themselves, might also become casualties in the war.
- Make certain they are prepared for battle (Ephesians 6:11). Do they know the truth? Stand on the Word of God? Have faith? Know the gospel? Are they righteous? Are they saved?…
Instead of celebrating, what’s a Christian to do on Satan’s feast day? PRAY! Intercession and spiritual warfare should be the first item on our agenda. It is NOT a last resort!
Like this:
Like Loading...
