One of the hardest days of the year approaches. I hate Halloween. I hate the fact that animals are tortured and sacrificed in greater numbers than other nights, that it is the high and holy day of the occultists, and the images of evil sanitized and considered harmless. I hate the origins which are based on fear, as well as misguided beliefs that the dead can be wrenched out of purgatory by the offering of "soul cakes" (precursor to our candy.) I hate the images of death, the devil, witches, graves, and zombies. I hate the vandalism that occurs or even the subtle threat of "trick or treat." When I became a Christian, I took seriously the admonition to be in the world but not of the world. I believed with all my heart God's warning to flee from evil, and that our adversary was cunning and a master of deception.
Yet, I had children, and the world took this night of the occult, filled it with candy, and placed it before them. Knowing I would win no popularity contest and they might even hate me for my stance, I just could not in good conscience put any stamp of approval on Halloween. It was always a painful evening, and I went to bed many nights crying over a decision I felt deeply in my spirit I had to make.
We as believers are told in no uncertain terms to have no fellowship with evil, witchcraft, the occult, or glorifying deeds of darkness. In my heart, Halloween fits that description. I have been ridiculed, derided, and despised for this stance. I believe Satan wants us to rationalize why it is not dangerous. However, it is a night of darkness, and I believe my light cannot shine in participation at any level, but only in standing against it. For those involved in the occult, and witchcraft, this is a special night. I don't wish to celebrate what those in opposistion to God celebrate.
As in all decisions, each of us must examine our own conscience. Many people believe they can redeem the night by offering the kids that come to their doors Bible tracts. I read one online "alternative"-- offer the kids a toothbrush. (I hate halloween but that idea sounded fun. Maybe I could write on each toothbrush, "Jesus alone cleanses our moral decay." ) Perhaps some of you have never wrestled with standing against the "norm" because your heart would not permit you to do otherwise. If not, you may not understand that decisions like this are never taken lightly, and they aren't "silly" as I have heard so many of late describe my view. It is based on a deep conviction of my heart, but that doesn't mean that I am not suffering for what I feel I should not do.
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Ephesians 5:11 variety of translations:
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Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.
and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Neither should you fellowship with the Servants of darkness, because they have no fruit in them, but you should rebuke them.
Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather also reprove them,
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them;
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,
Everything is possible with God
An excellent and thoughtful explanation, Vicky - we've never celebrated Halloween either, for those very reasons. Unlike Christmas and Easter, Halloween has no redemptive historical roots. I can articulate why we joyfully celebrate those holidays, in spite of the fact that they've been reduced to Santa and the Easter bunny, but Halloween? Nothing to offer -
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa, and we too celebrate Christmas and Resurrection Day (not Easter....) but we have never let Santa or the Easter bunny join us. Not ever.
DeleteThank you for sticking your neck out and making a statement about halloween. We didn't 'do' halloween when my kids were growing up. It is amazing that it was other believer's to whom I had to give a defense to our decision.
ReplyDeleteDonna Dunn
I know Donna, it floors me sometimes how vicious the attacks against fellow believers can become. Mostly I get subtle attacks, behind my back attacks, or people dismissing my stance as "silly." but in the end we all answer to God, not each other.
DeleteI'm with you sister. I've always disliked halloween even before I became a Christian. Not disliked. despised.
ReplyDelete