The Danger of Christians Participating in Halloween

NOTE: This is the second part to my previous post A Christian’s response to the ‘celebration’ of Halloween – Why I won’t be partaking. that I posted on October 31, 2013. I did not intend for this to become a multi-part post, but there is a stirring in my spirit that won’t allow me to rest on this. Thank you for reading.

This is a little long, but please bear with me. This topic requires some serious consideration because it touches on the very core of holiness – of being an example to others, of setting a Godly example for others to follow.

As I read various blog posts, articles, and Facebook posts yesterday that spoke out in favor of not participating in halloween, I read with great interest the comments that followed those posts. Of course, you had the usual responses in support and those that disagreed with it altogether. But what really got my attention were the posts that, I assume, were posted by well-meaning Christians who said they dress their kids in ‘non evil’ costumes and participate in the festivities. These people, who I believe to be sincere, did not see any problem with it.

Well, there are problems with doing this, with participating in a celebration of darkness – even if your own attitude is ‘right’ (by your own definition anyway). Let’s explore this, shall we?

First of all, halloween is of the world. It is a worldly activity rooted in darkness. We are told to abstain from worldly activities, and to not be friends of the world.

James 4:4
 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

But, we are still in the world, aren’t we? Well, that does not mean we must participate in every worldly activity. No, we are called to be so much more in our walk with God! Specifically, we are instructed that we are to NOT lead others to sin.

We are instructed to be examples to other believers. We are not to become a stumbling block to others – even if we think we can separate ourselves from the sinful parts of carnal activity.

1 Corinthians 8:9-12
⁹ But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰ For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? ¹¹ For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. ¹² And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

We are called to do our very best to be as holy as possible; to be the best Christians we can be. We are called away from the world in spirit, but still in it so that we can prove to others the goodness and rightness of God. We are examples for others to follow.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice,acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

We are called to be examples of Christian living, to let Christ’s light shine from us. We are to set the example by our own actions, not by what comes out of our mouths. So while you may feel it is OK for you to participate in a worldly activity, you may be leading someone else down a path of darkness – and straight into hell.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Some Christians will tell you that they do not participate in the ‘death and darkness’ part of halloween. They dress their children in ‘happy’ costumes and trick or treat. Well, that is all fine and good, BUT you are still participating and are therefore setting an example for other Christians to follow.

Now, let’s just say that these other Christians don’t understand what you are doing or why you are doing it, they just see what you are doing and take it at face value – participating in the halloween festivities. They cannot discern the difference, so they just follow your lead and participate as well, but go down that dark road that is halloween. They don’t know where to draw the line so they stray from the path of holiness and righteousness. What then?

You will stop them, you say? What if you don’t know they are watching you? What if you don’t know that they are following your example? Or what if you do know these things and you tell them and they don’t understand or they reject your explanation because, after all you are doing it, why can’t they? Then they see you as a hypocrite.

1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons

And that is what halloween is, my brothers and sisters, a doctrine of demons.

Our children need to be protected from evil. We are to raise them up in such a way that they follow Christ and live a life that glorifies Him. By allowing, or worse, encouraging our children to participate in halloween activities, we are sending them a dangerous message that they can indeed walk in both worlds, serve two masters and eat at two tables.

Oh, but they look so cute all dressed up in their costumes! Really? Why in the world would you teach your child to embrace the “cute” side of darkness?

We are called to be different, to be set apart. We are not of the world, therefore we are not like the world.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

And to lead our children down this road goes against scripture. This means not only our own offspring, but also children of God.

Matthew 18:1-6
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, ³ and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; ⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

When we compromise God’s Word in front of our children, with each generation it gets more watered down until there are only fleeting glimpses of the His Truth in their lives. Yet those people continue to believe the deception that they are holy – and they perpetuate the lie.

If you feel convicted about participating in Halloween, good! You need to be.

Now, what are you going to do with it?