It comes each October and has steadily gained popularity in recent years. And it is by far the strangest of all days in the calendar year. Of course, it is none other than Halloween.It always has been a favorite day, especially with kids, who try to stock up on candy and other teeth-rotting goodies to hopefully last them until Christmas. The bizarre fall event has seen related revenue climb to almost obscene levels over the last few decades becoming more of a month-long seasonal celebration than just a one-day deal. Then, too, overall participation has also increased dramatically among adults who now dress up and party in growing numbers each year
As most everyone knows, the main theme of this now rather lengthy celebration is the occult and the supernatural. Assorted ghosts, witches, vampires and demons seem almost omnipresent. This is indeed interesting considering that the word Halloween means “hallowed evening” or “holy evening” and that October 31 is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows or All Saints Day. That certainly seems ironic and about as far away from the current concept as possible.
The typical Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, carving jack-o-lanterns, lighting bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching graphic horror films. To many this is just harmless fun for the kids and yet another reason to attend a party. Few seem to really care much about its origins or any negative aspects that may accompany it. Maybe this is because those who see no problems don’t place much stock in the reality of supernatural evil in the world.
But for those who believe in the teachings of Scripture, a passage like Ephesians 6:11-13 comes into play and may shape their views on the subject. The Bible says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God.” The Bible also records repeated encounters of Christ who had regular dealings with literal demons like the one recorded in Matthew 17:14-21.
The bottom line is that everyone must consider what to think and do about Halloween. Each must decide for themselves whether it is good, bad, or neutral and to what level they will participate in it. Some will view it as a happy, harmless and fun event. Others perhaps feel it to be a twisted or dangerous one. And there are still those who just don’t care one way or another. But there is no getting around certain basic facts regarding this huge yearly event. It does glorify and promote the occult, evil, violence and horror. And it does, in recent years, increasingly promote sexual themes in graphic ways.
But most importantly, there is a real and undeniable link to a literal existence and influence of supernatural darkness and the literal living enemy of God. It has been said that one of the devil’s greatest tricks is convincing people that he is only a make-believe religious myth and, therefore, not really working to destroy a vulnerable human race. This is why God has provided numerous warnings concerning his existence and his tactics in passages like 1 Peter 5:8. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Because this is tragically true and real, God has countered him through the life and death of His Son who came to deal with Satan’s destructive treachery. 1 John 3:8 sums it up simply like this. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Halloween is often viewed as just a fun harmless celebration – give or take the ensuing dentist bills down the road. And yet it must be remembered that evil is every bit as real as a cavity, and so is the one who helped cause mankind’s fall in the garden so long ago.
But with man’s great fall into sin came God’s greater forgiveness found in His Son! The Apostle Paul wrote, “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)
The supernatural realm is real on both sides of the fence. And likewise real is the One who bravely “destroyed the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) through His sacrifice on the cross and His literal resurrection from the dead. He purchased redemption and a heavenly home someday for all who would believe and trust Him as the real Son of God and the literal Savior of men!
“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Bill Breckenridge
