Trick or Treat - A Pastors Perspective on Halloween
By Pastor Ryan | Posted October 23, 2007
A City Kids parent shared the following story with me. After crossing off the last item on her grocery list, this mom and her 4 year old son proceeded to the checkout counter. While scanning in the items, the cashier behind the counter asked her 4 year old, "Who are you going to be for Halloween?" The City Kid replied, "I'm not sure. My mom doesn't like Halloween." Upon hearing this, the cashier shot a critical look at the mom as if to say, "What kind of weird mom are you?"
If you are like me, you remember looking forward to Halloween as a time to dress up and drain the neighbor's candy supply. As a boy my friends and I would invade as many surrounding neighborhoods as possible before curfew. Then afterwards, all my friends and I met back at my house to see who got the most candy. I loved it! My opinion of Halloween changed when I grew up and had children of my own. The innocent sugar extravaganza which I enjoyed as a boy didn't seem as ... well, innocent.
There is no doubt that raising godly children in an ungodly culture may require us to withstand many social issues. There is a perception that if it's popular, it's okay. Something as simple as not fully embracing the darker side of Halloween has the potential to ruffle feathers.
Rather then focus on the origin of Halloween, I want to examine the holiday through Ephesians 5:6-17. This will help us make a Biblically based opinion. In Ephesians Paul writes (emphasis mine):
Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don't participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 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." Living by the Spirit's Power
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." Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are three principles that will help us formulate godly standards for our kids this Halloween:
Verse 7 "Don't participate in the things these people do" and verse 11 "Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness instead, expose them."
Many Halloween traditions celebrate and glorify evil. I believe as Christian dads and moms we should have nothing to do with the "scary" side of the holiday. Fear is a demonic spirit and we must be careful not to willfully or accidentally expose our kids to it. Be careful what you let your children watch and imitate.
Verse 8 "...but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!"
In verse 8, Paul refers to how the light of our Lord Jesus Christ entered our lives to make us people filled with God's light. Jesus did not stay in heaven afraid to venture out because of the darkness in the world, He became a light to influence people trapped in darkness. This Halloween let's take the opportunity to show Christ's light to our children's friends, their parents and other people we meet.
Verse 18 "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
God loves fun! He created it. Jesus was the happiest person ever to walk the planet! Paul didn't simply tell the Ephesians what not to do; he gave them a better alternative! If you do not want your child to dress up or go trick or treating then give them a fun alternative. Bring them to the Fall Fun Party here at The City Church from 5:30 to 7:30pm on October 31st. We are to be in the world not of it. This doesn't mean we isolate our kids while all their friends are having fun. You can have a great party at your house or at church. Celebrate the light we have in Christ. Invite your child's friends to spend the evening with your family here at The City Church. Play games, dress up, influence, laugh, play, sing and enjoy! The light is way more fun than the darkness and this Halloween is the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate this to our kids.