Don’t be Tricked by Candy and Costumes

We’re rapidly approaching that time of year again where the air is crisp and filled with the smells of fall. We are also approaching that time where that which is evil, vile, grotesque, gruesome, wicked and terrifying take center stage. Yes, I’m talking about halloween.

Because the issue is serious, I will be blunt: The truth is halloween is evil.

Twice in the last few days, I have seen content about this issue from those with first hand knowledge of the subject. The first was from the acquaintance of a former witch) who affirmed that those who practice witchcraft spend time preparing themselves for October 31^st. The second was from a former satanic priest (yes, they are also real) named John Ramirez (you can read about one of his CBN interviews here). Ramirez takes a no holds barred approach to what halloween is all about and we would do well to heed his warnings.

In both cases though, the indication was that the powers of darkness are quite literally lying in wait for your children with the intent of passing demonic spirits and influence to them. Ramirez (in a televised interview I was unable to link/credit) also indicated that we should be avoiding church substitutes for halloween as well; a position I’ve long held (more on that below). The point is, the powers of darkness are real, and they are seeking to recruit/enslave new souls. This time of year they are quite active so, be aware of who you are and what that means.

I will take this a step further and say – as believers in Jesus the Messiah, as those who profess faith in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the Holy and everlasting Creator of all that is, it is critically important that we avoid anything connected to the worship of idols or demonic spirits. Not only is this the first of the Ten Commandments but this directive is also reiterated in the words of Jesus and the instructions of the Apostles to newly converted gentiles (Acts 15:20). It is not only wholly inappropriate for us to celebrate this day, but it is also dangerous for us to fashion replacements for, and facsimilies of, halloween.

Remembering when my sister and I were children, my parents forbade us to say certain words. Of course, we tried to use euphemisms for those words but our parents would have none of it. They corrected us by teaching us that while we may have found a substitute word, the intent was the same.

I realize there are many who believe we should distribute tracts or scripture inscribed candy, have safe places for our kids to have fun and the like. At the same time, if the concern is that we take back this day, that certainly won’t happen by us having festivities of our own.Take a moment to consider why prayer and fasting are to be regular disciplines for the believer. Consider the manner in which spiritual warfare is to be conducted according to scripture. None of this would seem to characterize harvest festivals or other halloween euphemisms.

It is not my intent to offend you (though offense is ultimately a choice) but to warn well meaning people to not be deceived by wolves clothed as sheep who are telling us halloween (as well as harvest festivals, trunk or treat, etc.) is/are innocent. The Word of God is clear on issues such as these. Take a moment to conduct a Bible search on the subjects of witchcraft and idolatry and see what you find. It is clear that God takes these things very seriously, so why don’t we? More on that below. For now, consider the following scripture.

¹⁴  Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. ¹⁷  “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. ¹⁸  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NASB)

“And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.” If this is not enough to dissuade you from allowing your family to partake, touch or be joined to this dangerous day and its trappings, let’s take it a step further. Let’s look at why we struggle so hard to let go of this and other traditions (yes, there are other traditions which believers cling to that are spiritually dangerous).

Lightning Strikes while cross is revealed in sunlight streaming

Furthermore, if you doubt what halloween is really about a simple internet search will give you clues as to its origins. A little deeper research (and some discussion with adherents to satanism or witchcraft) will reveal things that should convince every one of us that this is a day the enemy uses to propagate his message, spread his influence and advance his cause (complete with actual demonic activity). And while we may choose to live in ignorance of these things, they are what is actually occurring right in front of us.

From the standpoint of social psychology, one reason we fight against letting go is that we don’t want to feel left out. By extension, we also don’t want our children to feel left out. So, we either allow them to participate in whatever activity or we find a substitute activity that seems less offensive. Is that really better? Is it really less problematic for us to, for example, eat hydrogenated fats than to eat butter? Years of research say, no. In fact, hydrogenated fats have been found to be so harmful that they have been banned. So, rather than resist and choose to be different, we conform, or we dress evil in Christian clothes. Either way, it is a dangerous gamble.

Some other reasons we refuse to let go include:

• We don’t want to answer questions about it (to our children or other adults)
• We don’t want to be ostracized for being different
• We don’t want our children to be ostracized for being different
• We don’t want to be “overzealous,” fundamentalist types
• We grew up with these things and we have fond memories of those times

Really, this can be applied to more than just Halloween (more on that later). But it is especially important here and now because some of us have already bought costumes and candy. Some of us have already volunteered to staff the church harvest festival or trunk-or-treat. Well, your pastor or deacon board may come to despise me for this, but it is okay for you to say “NO!”

I’m not telling you to be rude or unkind. Really, this should be the opening of a conversation for which you have prepared prayerfully. You can choose to opt out of this and anything else that is not designed by God. You can choose to be different. In fact, you must choose to be different. You must be separate. Don’t be afraid of the consequences for the reward far outweighs the very temporary “suffering” you might endure for choosing to opt out. Let us not forget…

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; ¹⁰  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NASB)

In case you are worried that you have transgressed God’s directives, I would also remind you that,

^“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).

From a spiritual warfare standpoint, there is more on this subject that we will cover later but for now…

Pray without ceasing brothers and sisters. The battle for souls rages on.