I gotta tell ya, we no longer celebrate Halloween. We used to, back when we thought it was a harmless activity, a fun thing for the kids, but not any longer.

This is a divisive topic, I know, even among believers. We are not experts on this subject but we do know one thing: we know what the Bible says about good and evil. So, with that let me tell you our story about the decision we made. We are not pushing our beliefs on anyone but simply telling you why we no longer celebrate a day that is intended for evil.

When I was a new believer back in the early 1980s, I questioned the validity of Christians participating in halloween activities. Before the days of the internet, I researched through encyclopedias and reference books at the library concerning the origin of halloween. I had a file about 2 inches thick with material that I used in my discussion with my pastor (35+ years ago) but the reasons he gave for taking part in it sounded valid, so I let it go. He was, after all, my Pastor, someone whom I trusted to lead me according to the Word. But for the longest time, it still nagged at me.

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Why We No Longer Celebrate Halloween

Our children are adults now and do not live at home with us but four years ago my husband and I decided that we would no longer give out candy to the neighbourhood kids. Not that we are being mean to them but as believers, we cannot justify ourselves in encouraging them to seek candy on a night we do not support.

Also, we no longer support commercialism with the purchase of the fun-sized candy and chocolate bars for personal consumption either. Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate, especially the mini size bars and small bags of chips as much as the next person does. However, these treats are marketed for halloween, so we no longer purchase them. Why? Because we don’t want to have a part in the stores’ sales report either. I know, sounds petty but, well, the more they sell, the more they will continue to market this unholy day.

Satan has a target on our backs. He looks for our weak spots and zeros in on them, seeking to take us down. He’s not going to get us concerning halloween. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

But more than that, we no longer celebrate halloween because it is not a holy day. There isn’t anything holy about halloween, never has been, never will be.

There is nothing about it that speaks of holiness. Nothing about it that speaks of life when everything about it speaks of death. Just look at some of the costumes and props people wear and use to decorate yards and houses:

• zombies
• walking dead
• tombstones
• ghouls
• ghosts, and
• witches to name a few.

In all honesty, there is nothing about halloween that glorifies God.

Halloween Does Not Glorify God

It is beyond me to imagine how a believer could think that halloween is a day for celebration. There is no way that pretty dresses, Bible character costumes or anything else that is pretty and innocent could change halloween from evil to good.

But rather than talk about how I ‘feel’ about this unholy day, let’s turn the pages of the Bible to see what God says about it. He doesn’t mention the word ‘halloween’ because it wasn’t in use back then but He certainly has much to say about good and evil.

The word halloween wasn’t used in the Bible but God spoke much about good and evil.

Turn the pages with me to the following verses. I know these verses look long to read but we need to see what God says. He is the ultimate authority on whether we should be involved, is He not?

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 18:9-13 When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.

Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Has the Old Testament gone out of style? Should we no longer obey it?

New Testament

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

These verses alone persuaded us that halloween is not an activity that pleases our Father God. It is Him whom we seek to please and Him whom we will obey.

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Man’s Thoughts on the Matter

Listen, I know the rationale that is used to support celebrating halloween. I’ve heard them for the majority of my life. Reasons like

• it’s all fun for the kids;
• they aren’t doing anything wrong;
• it’s all harmless;
• we share the gospel in handing out tracts;
• it is what you make it…I’m a Christian so I make it holy. Huh? Really?

Yes, God forgives us when we sin, however, I believe that a decision to be involved in halloween causes God grief. I know He was disappointed in us when we disobeyed Him.

How much more can He say through His Word of how we ought to live? Don’t we care? Don’t we want to live a holy and pleasing life for Him? My husband and I have asked these questions and answered them for our lives. We no longer want to pick and choose what we are going to obey in the Word.

It’s a Personal Stand

Here’s the thing. Each of us has a personal stand to take on anything we do in life.

We choose if we are going to live holy and blameless before Him or not. Someday we will have to stand before Him and give an account of our idle words and actions. Yes, we receive forgiveness when we repent but we will still have to stand before Him. I can’t imagine how I would feel. Every reason would sound like a flimsy excuse in my ears and I’m sure I would be crestfallen and glum before Him.

As for me, the more I learn in His Word how I ought to live, the more I want to do what is right according to His Word. Those verses you read a few minutes ago? They tell me what I should and shouldn’t be involved in. And for me, that’s enough.

Along with us no longer celebrating halloween, you won’t be surprised to learn that we also do not celebrate Christmas either. Feel free to read our thoughts on that topic as well in this post: No Compromise on the Christmas Debate.

We No Longer Celebrate Halloween

So, I’ve told you why we no longer celebrate Halloween. Based on the Word of God, we cannot justify participating in this activity. In my research, I read many posts from other believers who feel the same way. I also read the comments on their posts and some were not kind. If that happens here, then so be it. I do reserve the right to delete derogatory comments.

Who should I please? God or man? I choose God. My husband and I, we choose God.

As I said, there are many believers who do not celebrate halloween. This post by Jennifer Miller Love, who writes at Intentional Traditions, “Why I Won’t Be Celebrating Halloween Again This Year” has the same point of view but I love how she wrote it from the eyes of her children.

You may also be interested in this post by Gleniece Little of Desert Rain that provides a brief history of Halloween as well. It is called Figs of Thorns: Christians and Halloween. Her post explains the origins of today’s common halloween activities and leaves you to answer the question of whether Christians should be involved with halloween or not.

That’s a Wrap

I would like to leave you with this Bible verse.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Think on the things that would glorify God and honour Jesus Christ.

Here are my thoughts. Since I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, and Christ abides in me, then I need to walk the talk. I need to walk it in truth, in holiness, in righteousness, in giving glory to God. This is a daily challenge but I endeavour to walk in holiness.

You are my friend whom I care about. I wanted you to know how we feel about this pagan activity and why we no longer celebrate Halloween. If my words have inspired you, I’m glad to hear that. If they have raised questions, please feel free to leave me a comment. Perhaps I can answer them for you. If my words have upset your faith, again, leave a comment for me. Maybe I didn’t explain something properly and it has caused confusion. I would like to answer that.

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Penny for your thoughts…