Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? | Halloween and Christianity | GotQuestions.org

Question, should Christians celebrate Halloween? In this video I'll answer that question from a biblical perspective. And afterwards I'll point you to some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

Halloween’s Origins and the Basic Question of Christian Participation

Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween can be a very controversial topic. Some Christians celebrate Halloween simply by dressing up in a costume and having fun seeing it as innocent and harmless.

Other Christians are equally convinced that Halloween is a satanic holiday established to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness. So, who is right? Is it possible for Christians to celebrate Halloween without compromising their faith?

Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate, or not to celebrate, Halloween.

For some, it means having an alternative harvest party. For others, it is staying away from the ghosts, witches, goblins, etc., and wearing innocuous costumes. For example, little princesses, clowns, cowboys, superheroes, etc.

Some choose not to do anything, electing to lock themselves in the house with the lights.

Turned off.

Christian Freedom and the Principle of Discernment

With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act. Scripture does not speak at all about Halloween, but it does give us some principles on which we can make a decision. In Old Testament Israel, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death.

The New Testament teachings about the occult is clear. In Acts 8 -9 -24, the story of Simon shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. The account of Elemas, the sorcerer, in Acts 13 -6 -11 reveals that sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity.

Paul called Elemas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness, and a pervert of the ways of God. In Acts 16, a Philippi, a fortune-telling girl, lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul.

The interesting matter here is that Paul refused to allow even good statements to come from a demon-influenced person. And Acts 19 shows converts who have abruptly broken with their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone.

Avoiding the Darker Aspects of Halloween

So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween? Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a cowboy or princess and going around the block asking for candy? No, there's not. Are there things about Halloween that are anti-Christian and should be avoided?

Absolutely.

If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween, they should make sure to keep them from getting involved in darker aspects of the day. If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude, dress, and most importantly, their behavior should still reflect a redeemed life.

There are many churches that hold harvest festivals and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment. There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the gospel along with the Halloween candy.

Applying Romans 14 to Christian Liberty and Unity

The decision is ultimately ours to make, but as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Romans 14. We can't allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause division in the body of Christ.

Nor can we use our freedom to cause others to stumble in their faith. We are to do all things as to the Lord. Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content.

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