This week, I want to talk a bit about the upcoming Halloween holiday. As Christians, should we celebrate it? I’m not sure if there’s a clear answer. First off, Halloween is primarily a Western tradition and isn’t directly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are several Biblical principles that can relate to its celebration. Maybe the best way to see how Halloween connects to the Bible is by exploring its meaning and history.
The word Halloween comes from the phrase “the evening before All Hallows Day” (or All Saints’ Day), which is celebrated on November 1. It is a shortened version of names like Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Evening, and All Saints’ Eve, all referring to the celebration on October 31.
In A.D. 43, the Roman Empire successfully conquered most of the Celtic lands. Over the next 400 years, they combined two Roman holidays: Feralia, a day to honor the dead at the end of October, and Pomona, a celebration of the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Later, Pope Gregory III expanded the holiday to include all Saints, and it is still observed today as All Saints’ Day on November 1st.
In the past, people would ring bells for the souls in purgatory, and poor individuals, often children, would go door-to-door “souling,” receiving ‘soul cakes’ in return for praying for deceased loved ones. To protect themselves from wandering spirits, some even dressed in costumes.
Protestant Christians started celebrating Reformation Day as an alternative for those who preferred not to observe the Catholic holiday. Some would dress up as Bible characters or reformers, using the day as a chance to come together for prayer and fasting.
Today’s costumes have replaced traditional disguises, and candy has taken the place of Soul Cakes and other fancy treats as kids go door-to-door trick-or-treating. Over time, Halloween’s customs have evolved and blended with modern culture, but the core purpose of honoring the dead, wrapped in fun and festivities, has stayed the same.
Wow, that’s quite a lot of history! So, should we celebrate Halloween or not? Well, it really depends. Let’s explore some perspectives and traditions around celebrating Halloween. For instance, some Christians choose to avoid it altogether.
Many Christians today view Halloween as a pagan holiday associated with devil worship and the glorification of evil. Referencing Ephesians 5:11, which says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them,” they strive to avoid anything they see as evil and take measures to protect themselves and their children from participating in the holiday.
Some Christians embrace Halloween, seeing it as a fun and harmless chance for kids to dress up, collect candy, and have a great time. It’s a season filled with cute decorations, parties, pumpkin carving, laughter, and trick-or-treating with neighbors. Nowadays, some churches host Harvest Festivals with activities like Trunk or Treat, while others encourage kids to dress up as Bible characters.
As a thoughtful Christian, take a moment to reflect on what and why you are celebrating. Is the holiday uplifting? Does Halloween align with spiritual purity? Is it praiseworthy, and is it of God or something else?
Christians are not obligated to participate in Halloween. If your conscience leads you to abstain or focus on harvest festival activities instead, that’s great. On the other hand, if you feel comfortable joining in, the Bible allows you the freedom to engage thoughtfully. As the apostle Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being” (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). In essence, while everything may be permissible, not everything is beneficial, and we should prioritize the good of others over our own.
When it comes to Halloween, Christians should use discernment and be mindful of how the Spirit guides them. Celebrating things like demons, witches, ghosts, warlocks, the devil, or anything related to the occult is definitely not appropriate. Keep in mind that God holds you accountable for how you celebrate Halloween with your children, so avoid dressing them as witches, devils, or anything similar.
In conclusion, consider seeking God’s will regarding Halloween. To truly understand His will, it’s important to have a relationship with Him. How is your relationship with God? Have you felt His guidance and leadership in your life? There’s no better moment than now to let God lead you and discover His will for you—don’t wait until it’s too late.
Please… if you don’t know Christ or have fallen away, please pray… Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and rose again. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I pray that God will truly Help and Bless you. If you would like for me to pray with you, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentPromises.com.
May God Bless and Keep! Bob.
________________________________________________________________________________________________ I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observations. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place where we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
