Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Halloween is rooted in pagan practices and observances, but so is valentines day, thanksgiving and christmas. So it’s fair to say I was never convinced that was a ‘good enough’ excuse for not celebrating the holiday. I may as well have cut out all the other holidays too. I needed better reasons, and the bible offered me direction…
Here’s a look at some scriptures that helped me, and may help you, to decide where you stand on the matter...
The appearance of evil
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1st Thessalonians 5:22)
God says if it appears evil, stay away. Not just if it is evil. A big difference between Halloween and other holidays is that, to this day, Halloween remains associated with celebrating the dark world, witches, demons etc. So whilst I believe that Halloween in itself isn’t actually evil, it appears evil. Is Halloween based on godly themes such as the idea of Valentine's Day (love), peace, freedom (Easter) and salvation (christmas) or does the holiday bring to mind feelings of fear, oppression and bondage?
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
All things for God's glory
Our purpose as Christians is to live for the glory of God. So naturally, when it comes to disputable matters or gray areas, ask yourself: “will it bring God glory?” Is there a biblical way to observe this holiday? Can I do it to the glory of God?”
When it comes to halloween, for some, the answer may genuinely be yes. This can depend on culture, motives, influences, perception etc. For others, the answer may be a no. Only we can truly know whether our decisions to participate (or not to participate) in certain holidays comes from a place of faith.
““So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)
A matter of liberty
As Christians, we carry the holy spirit in us. So in all things, we have to give ourselves to the leading of the spirit and allow God to guide us in all our decisions.
It’s not enough to make decisions on personal opinions and dislikes, rather than the Word of God. It’s better to let our relationship with Christ and his Word regulate these convictions.
Romans 14 discusses ‘disputable matters’, and shows that we should only rebuke others over clear scriptural principles and not over doubtful things. We may offer advice to others about doubtful things, but even then, we do not judge. Our duty to others in the faith, is to put them before ourselves. This is food for thought concerning halloween. If you celebrate halloween and know it may cause conflict in another christian, or cause them to stumble, out of love, you consider your impact on them. Never let your freedoms cause a weaker brother or sister to stumble.
Ultimately, we will all have to stand individually before God one day, accountable for everything we’ve done on earth. So let your faith and your conscience convict you, and tell you what to do in these matters.
Do you celebrate halloween? If so, why or why not?
