Trick or Treat? Is Halloween Really Harmful?

Halloween marks the beginning of the fall season and is proudly celebrated by American children each year. Costume parties, newly released horror movies, and tons of candy are circulated in and around October 31 in celebration of a mysterious night of magic and adventure.

What could be so wrong about Halloween? After all, most people who celebrate the occasion are not witches. The majority of homes decorated with Jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and bats are owned by upstanding citizens and church-going families. If they are not doing anything “evil,” what’s so wrong with having a little fun?

The concept is actually quite simple. God’s Word condemns the partaking of anything once offered to idols. Since this holiday began as a pagan ritual to honor a false God and is currently the “holiest” day for modern-day witches and Satanists, our Father is not pleased with our involvement (Acts 15:29; 21:25; 1 Cor 8; 1 Cor 10). The Bible commands us to stay away from any appearance of evil, which includes murderous films and images of witches and ghosts (1 Thess 5:22). We are commanded to be holy (1 Pet 1:16). Is there anything holy about a celebration of death and fear?

Let’s take a closer look…

SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

EVIL INFLUENCE PRODUCES EVIL WAYS

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

DIVINATION, WITCHCRAFT, SORCERY AND MAGIC ARE EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations [people] before you” (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12, NIV).

ABSTAIN FROM THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

FEAR IS NOT OF GOD

“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

DO NOT IMITATE PAGAN PRACTICES

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the ways of the heathen…” (Jeremiah 10:2).

GOD WILL REWARD THOSE WHO FORSAKE WICKED PRACTICES

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Halloween Traditions

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

(Colossians 2:8)

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION. Halloween began hundreds of years before Christ as a Celtic celebration called Samhain. Samhain, the Celtic god of the dead, was honored during this celebratory feast marking the beginning of the new year. In the 700’s AD, the church decided to integrate the feast with a celebration of departed saints, and transformed the celebration into All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Day, to be observed on November 1. Witchcraft movements of the Middle Ages also contributed other symbols such as witches, black cats and skulls. America was introduced to the concept of Halloween by Irish immigrants during the mid-1800’s. As more time passed, our modern day observance of Halloween was developed.

TRICK or TREAT. During the ancient celebration of Samhain, celebrated on November 1, it was believed that the barrier between the dead and the living was at its thinnest. On the eve of the feast, October 31, many expected to be reunited with their dead relatives, and believed that visitation was possible throughout the night. Celtic priests, call Druids, were given the task to protect the people from ghosts or spirits of the dead during this time. Bonfires were lit throughout the village to guide the dead, and food was left out as a “treat” for the returning spirits. It was believed that pleasing the dead in this manner would prevent them from performing “tricks” on the citizens.

COSTUMES. As time elapsed, descendants of the Celts continued this tradition by dressing up as spirits and going from home to home demanding treats. If refused, they often placed a curse upon the crops or the household. Generally, the groups were led by one person dressed in a while robe and a cow’s skull. This person also blew a horn to warn citizens of their arrival.

JACK-O-LANTERN. The pumpkin in America is simply a symbol of the autumn season. Jack-o-Lanterns were carved during the Samhain celebration and lit with a candle to help guide the spirits of the dead to the homes of their families.

YOU DECIDE

Accept the TRICK of the enemy
OR
Accept the TREAT God has prepared for you…Eternal Life!

BELIEVE on the name of Jesus Christ. Know that He is the Son of God, and that He has died for your sins (Romans 10:9; Acts 16:31).

CONFESS your sins to God and settle your faults with men. (Romans 10:10).

REPENT from your sins by changing your ways and beginning a new life in Christ (Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38).

FELLOWSHIP with other believers and attend a Bible-believing church (Romans 10:14-17; Hebrews 10:25).

STUDY the Word of God daily (2 Timothy 2:15).

PRAY daily for yourself and others (Matthew 21:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

PROCLAIM that Jesus Christ is Lord and forsake the teachings of false doctrines and religions (Psalm 81:9; Matthew 22:37-78; Acts 4:12).

WITNESS to others about God’s love (Matthew 28: 19-20).

Copywright 1998 for Joy of the LORD Ministries.