Is Halloween innocent fun?

Many look forward to Halloween. They see it as a fun and harmless time of dressing up and going trick-or-treating. However, the underlying origin of Halloween is dark and needs to be exposed for what it is. 

Ephesians 5:11 tells us to, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

I ask you to seriously consider the origins of this dark celebration.

The origins of Halloween…

On 31 October each year Halloween is celebrated all over the world. Originally, the Celtic tribes in Northern Ireland participated in “The Festival of the Dead”, known as the “Feast of Samhain”, where their Druid priests worshipped evil spirits. These ruthless Druids were even known to practice human sacrifices to the evil spirits. The Druids believed that the Eve of Samhain marked a special time of the year, where demons were unleashed on the world to bring destruction and blessing. 

The festival of Samhain that was observed on 31 October was known as a time when the souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes, and goblins, fairies, black cats, ghosts, and demons were said to roam about. This caused much fear and terror.  

It was believed that the lining between the natural earth and the supernatural spirit world was at its thinnest on 31 October and attempts to communicate with the dead through ungodly occultic practices. Various forms of divination are also practiced to summon the spirit world to invoke both blessings of good health and good luck, and curses of destruction and death. 

Innocent practices or not… 

Wearing costumes: 

During the “Feast of Samhain” it was believed that evil spirits and ghosts would leave their graves and revisit their homes. The villagers, gripped with fear that they would be visited by these demons, would dress up in costumes with the hope of scaring off the evil spirits.

Trick-or-treats: 

The villagers would also leave “treats” at the doors to their homes to appease the spirits. If the “treat” was accepted, it was believed that they would be protected. If the treat was not accepted, it was believed that “trick” or curse would be put on the home. People lived in fear that bad things would happen to them if they did not honor the spirits of the dead. This also led to some performing practical jokes and doing harm to others and then blaming it on the evil spirits who were roaming the earth on the night of Halloween.   

Bonfires:

Human and animal sacrifices would often be carried out during the celebration, where the victims were thrown into the fire. The original name was “bone-fires” as the next morning only ash and bones would be left.

Bats: 

Bats are famous symbols of Halloween that represent a bad omen. Some believe that witches would take the form of bats.

Black cats:

Black cats were believed to symbolise evil spirits and were hunted down and burnt to ward off the evil spirits.

Skeletons and ghosts:

Skeletons and ghosts represented death. On Halloween night many believed that the spirits of the dead would roam the earth. 

Spiderwebs:

Spiderwebs are another symbol of Halloween that bring added spookiness and fear. 

Ghost stories:

On Halloween it was common practise to tell ghost stories. These stories filled children with fear. It was believed that the souls of the dead, some good, some evil and some mischievous, would freely roam the earth on the night of Halloween. 

Jack-O-Lantern:

The Jack-O-Lantern is the universal symbol of Halloween. A pumpkin would be carved out and a candle would be inserted and left on the porch to ward off evil spirits on the night of Halloween.  

Halloween today…

Today Halloween is not just an innocent night of wearing costumes and trick or treating. It is the open door to the dark world of the occult where evil is glorified. Halloween is a time where witchcraft and spiritism is practiced. It is a deeply spiritual time for many. Many witches and Satanists alike celebrate Halloween as one of their most important days. 

In John 8:32, Jesus told us, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Today, billions are spent around the world to celebrate Halloween.

Halloween has its roots in witchcraft and the occult.

God’s Word is clear. We are not to walk in darkness and follow the practices of Halloween or the occult. 

What does God have to say…

Don’t get caught up in deeds of darkness!

1 Corinthians 10:21 says, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

God’s Word makes it clear that you cannot follow Him and participate in dark demonic activity. 

God hates “sorcery” or “witchcraft”. (Exodus 22:18) 

God’s word also tells us that we “defile ourselves if we turn to mediums” or if we “consult the spirits of the dead.” (Leviticus 19:31)

God hates all the practices associated with Halloween!

Halloween and the occultic practices connected with it do not glorify God. In fact, it is detestable to God. God condemns the practices.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns us, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,  or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God warns us… 

• Not to practice fortune-telling, or 
• Not to use sorcery, or 
• Not to interpret omens, or 
• Not to engage in witchcraft, or 
• Not to cast spells, or 
• Not to function as mediums or psychics, or 
• Not to call forth the spirits of the dead. 

God tells us that ANYONE who does these things is DETESTABLE TO THE LORD. God intensely dislikes or hates these fruitless deeds of darkness, and he warned his people that following these practices will cause them to be driven out.

We are told that Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) 

Stay away from evil!

1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to, ^“Stay away from every kind of evil.”

3 John 1:11 says, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”

Put on the armor of light!

Romans 13:12 tells us that, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Follow Jesus. He is the light of the world!

In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” 

Walk in the light!

Ephesians 5:10-14 sums this up well where it says, 

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

God wants to shine his light on you! 

Ephesians 5:15-17 concludes, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

If you need direction, don’t look to the darkness for advice. Look to God!

You may be searching for meaning in life. You may be looking for answers or directions or insight into the future. I need to implore you not to look to the darkness. This will lead you into deception and put you on the road to destruction.   

Some people follow the stars. God wants you to follow the creator of the stars. He wants to be your God. He wants to light up your path and guide you on the road to abundant life. 

Colossians 1:13-14 tells us that God, “has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

If you are living in darkness, God calls you to “turn from darkness to light”, and to turn from “the power of Satan to God.” God promises us that when we turn from darkness and turn to Jesus, that we will “receive forgiveness for our sins”, and that we will be “given a place among God’s people.” (Acts 26:18)

What are you celebrating?

Do not celebrate the kingdom of darkness. Celebrate the Kingdom of God. You can walk in the light. Choose to celebrate Jesus. He came to bring you abundant life. He is the Light of the world. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing God. He is Our Protector and Our Provider and Our Prince of Peace.   

Call on Jesus

If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why don’t you surrender your life to Him. We were cut off from God due to our sin, but Jesus paid the full price on the cross so that we can be forgiven and set free, so that we can come into a close relationship with God that can start today and goes right on into eternity. All you need to do is call on the name of Jesus. 

 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

You can receive Jesus into your heart and be saved. He can deliver you from the dominion of darkness and sin, and you can be forgiven, set free and be welcomed into God’s Kingdom of Light. 

Dear Father God, I come to you. I confess that I have lived a life that has been devoid of you. Please forgive me. I need you. Thank you for sending Jesus. Now Lord Jesus, thank you for your undeserved grace that you displayed on the cross. Thank you for dying in my place and for shedding your blood for my sin. I ask you to be my Lord and Savior. You conquered death and rose victorious. Thank you for the finished work on the cross. I surrender my life to you. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you that from today, my life is secure in you. I am a Child of God. I am part of your Kingdom. I will do my best to live for you and serve you. I ask you to fill me and empower me with your Spirit. Please help me to please you in all I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

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