Luke 12:57 “Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?”
There are many celebrations in the Christian Church that have their roots in ancient traditions and folklore. Halloween is no exception. But wait you say. The Church doesn't celebrate Halloween! And I would say, technically, you are correct. But what some churches do is something more covert. But first, let's take a quick look at this History Channel video about Halloween and where it comes from.
A Day of Family Fun
Scary pumpkins, witches, ghosts, vampires and other pretend characters. As you see, Halloween is not a day that Christians should enjoin. Yet many do in a different way. How you ask?
Some churches have events known as fall festivals. It's given other names as well in an attempt to avoid the thought that it might be related to Halloween in some way. A man's ways seem right in his own eyes… It is held on October 31 primarily or close to it. The venue is sometimes decorated for the mood. Some people dress up in costumes, paint their faces, etc. You get the picture.
So everyone is able to avoid the temptation of traditional partying and trick-or-treating. We bring everyone together, invite the community, and call it a family evening full of fun with food, candy, games, and sometimes rides for the kids and so forth. The event is held so everyone can have a Halloween alternative and the children don't feel left out of the fun that traditionally accompanies Halloween. We keep it wholesome without the ghosts and evil appearances.
These festivals are often used as a ministry tool. But there are other ways of ministering the gospel to the community without adopting worldly traditions. I get it. We don't want the children going out trick-or-treating and being exposed to potential harm. We want to reach the community while avoiding the influence of Halloween. But why have something that's obviously a substitute? Why create something that is nothing more than a compromise in the name of winning the lost?
History of Compromise
2 Kings 17:15 “And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.”
We think that by creating a substitute, we can have our candy and eat it too (pun intended). It is difficult to compromise with the world and our hands remain pure. Israel thought they could. When they began to adopt the ways of the nation around them, they eventually fell. Many began to not only adopt their practices, they also married into their families and began to worship their gods. By adopting the world's traditions, redressing them, and bringing them into the Church, we run the risk of losing ourselves and our children to the spirit of compromise. Remember, Halloween is about spiritualism and fear. If we allow compromise in one area, what's next?
Overcomers of Compromise
In Daniel 1:5-20 shows us the rewards of refusing to compromise. Daniel and his companions had an opportunity to enjoy the rich delicacies of the King. But instead, they held onto their integrity. They did not even attempt to taste the meat and wine from the King's table. In Chapter 3 of the book of Daniel, his fellows refused to bow to the image when they heard the music. They could have bowed down just that once and never again. But because they remained steadfast, they were delivered from death and rewarded for their integrity.
Pure Religion is without Compromise
James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.“
God expects us to maintain a standard. This standard is a part of the light spoke of in Matthew 5:14. If we do things that mimic the world, no matter how innocuous it may seem to our minds, do you really think God is fine with it? And what about our children? Do you really think by masking a tradition like Halloween by having a festival at church or somewhere else, instead of allowing them to go trick-or-treating is fooling them? They know what's going on in the world. So why not act like it's just another day? To us that's all it should be.
No Tricks or Treats, Just Truth!
1 Thess. 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Want to see a real trick? Take a look at the costumes and treats for instance. Many are made in the image of ghosts [which are actually demons pretending to be spirits of the dead], vampires [undead, blood drinking humans], and witches [people who practice witchcraft]. If we purchase them, we bring them and what they represent into our homes. Then we and our families eat the candy made in those same images. Not dressing like a ghost or witch? Just a superhero?
Where do they get their powers? Not from God! Maybe a costume of a superstar. Be careful! This could be a form of idolatry. In ancient Greece, they often imitated the gods they worshipped. Think about it… Here is something else.
We should never feel as though we need to avoid the world's scrutiny. It doesn't matter what the world says or think if we choose to not partake in their ceremonies and traditions (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9). This is what God tried to teach Israel. We need to hold to the standard of God's Word and refrain from needless traditions such as this. It's not about trying to get the world to like us. Those who love the truth will. And many people want and need the truth, not tricks or treats.
The Church was established to provide that truth. Only then can people make decisions based on the truth and avoid the compromises of sin. I hope this post was helpful. Thank you for visiting!