The Apostle Paul might have answered this question best when he said: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23).
The Amplified Bible says it this way: “All things are legitimate [permissible–and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].”
I could give you 10 reasons why Christians shouldn’t celebrate Halloween with scary parties or devilish costumes, but really I only have to give you one: HALLOWEEN GLORIFIES EVIL, NOT GOD. (period).
I’m always taken aback by people who want to argue about Halloween and Christianity. Ok, sure, you’re “allowed” to do what you want, but who are you glorifying in the process? And WHY do you want to hold on to worldly traditions anyway?
And it’s not just Halloween. Go to the movie store any time of the year and you’ll see row after row of horror movies for rent. And Christians watch them because they say it’s funny to be scared. Hmmm… well, as one church billboard put it so well: “You like to be scared? See what happens if you miss Heaven.” That’s scary! And not a bit funny.
I’m not against carnivals, candy, and dressing up. But what is your event and/or costume glorifying? I don’t care how much tulle you add to a little girl’s witch costume, it still glorifies evil, not God. A superhero on the other hand, like Iron Man, is just a little boy’s desire to be strong. And a princess is just a little girl’s desire to be pretty.
Yes, I know we could pick these apart and find reasons why children shouldn’t dress up at all. But it won’t stop their imagination. Little boys will still tie towels around their neck and run through the front yard pretending to rescue others, while little girls might try on mom’s high heels and jewelry pretending to be a fashion model. But what child dreams of growing up to be a witch, a devil, or a zombie? (None).
God has put dreams and vision within every child’s heart. And I believe He smiles when children make-believe because they are simply growing in the possibilities of what they could be in Him. “For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). That sounds like a “super” man to me! Or to the young girls, God says, “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way” (Song of Solomon 4:7).
My point is, all things are left up to us to choose. But do all things build us up, put good things in us, or glorify the One we praise every Sunday? If not, we need to rethink why we’re participating–and this includes anything year-round.
Pumpkins on a porch welcome the change of season. And passing out candy to little children is fun because it’s not every day they get to load up with sweets. It’s true, not everything is evil. But let us not blend the line so much that we get “tricked” into thinking God is okay with us imitating the devil by glorifying death or evil.
Instead turn it around. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). I like something a ministry friend of mine decided about Halloween. He calls it National Evangelism Day. I like that! To show the love of God on a day the devil would like nothing more than to glamorize guts and gore. This is the reason our church (like many others) hosts an event on Halloween for people to take their children to for some fun, candy, and real ministry.
I realize these are perspectives, but I hope I’ve at least challenged you to consider your witness and decide early which side of the line you want to be standing on.
