Halloween use to be my favorite Holiday. I use to love to dress up and get drunk. I use to decorate my house with all the decor to celebrate. Once we had children and our son would start saying things like, “that is scary” at our church’s trunk or treat, we started to reflect on that.
A few years ago my husband and I were convicted to not celebrate at all. I understand not everyone has those convictions put in their heart. We didn’t right away either. However we can’t deny that scripture clearly states darkness and light don’t mix! People still on this day do some satanic rituals. We cannot escape the fact of what Halloween is, its roots, and what it stands for. It’s a day glorying the dead not God. If Jesus were to come back on this night I personally would feel guilty for participating as the world does when I know what this holiday is about. Why? Because I have reverence and awe towards the one true God. I do not think any less of anyone that does participate.
I do pray my convictions inspire you to go to God’s word and take it to the Lord in prayer if your allegiance is to Jesus Christ. Trunk or treat can be an opportunity to bless the community and be a witness. You could dress up in characters of the Bible. Yes you can share scripture and a healthy snack too. Maybe be set apart and do it on a different day? These are just thoughts. I want you to be fully convinced in your own mind that your family’s approach to this day is biblical, thought through, and done in the honor of the Lord.
We are not legalistic. A legalist believes that their good works and obedience to God affects their salvation. Legalism focuses on God’s laws more than relationship with God. It keeps external laws without a truly submitted heart. Legalism adds human rules to divine laws and treats them as divine. We must seek to guide our lives by God’s word. Such behavior is not legalism. Grace is freely given to us when we have faith in Christ’s redeeming sacrifice on our behalf, and as we grow in our love for Christ, we obey him. We obey God not to earn our salvation, but because of our relational faith in Christ and our love for him.
We are not trying to ruin other people’s fun or deprive our children. We once did all of the Halloween things. Yet, there came a point where we could no longer join in with the world in this holiday. Dressing up provocative, spooky, or scary it is not of God! The things of evil and fear, ghoulish, and ungodly became too much to honestly join ourselves with. We cannot love what is evil while we seek to follow God. It is inconsistent with our call as Christians to rejoice in what is good, pure, noble, holy, and righteous. God will lead you to the way, the truth, and the life!
Now reformation Sunday we can celebrate that!
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther began the Reformation with a declaration that the church must be recalled to the authority of God’s Word and the purity of biblical doctrine. “With this in mind, the best Christian response to Halloween might be to scorn the Devil and then pray for the Reformation of Christ’s church on earth.” Quote by Laura from Halfway Homesteaders
Faith Inspired By Grace 