Written by Jacqueline Ugwu
Halloween is an event marked on the 31st of October in the west to celebrate the dead and ghosts in general. It originates from an ancient pagan festival, Samhain common with the Celtic people of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Even though the celebration is on the 31st of October, it begins to gather momentum from the beginning of the month, that's how much of a big deal it is.
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Stores become accessorized with Halloween costumes; scary-looking masks, pumpkins, and the whole paraphernalia. There's a buzz about it everywhere, radio and TV commercials, the internet, and just about every media platform. School children are feverish with excitement. They cannot wait to dress up in costumes and play trick or treat. Young people throw Halloween themed costume parties where they dress up as different scary, grotesque fairytale characters. It's all fun for them.
But what does the Bible have to say about Halloween? Is it okay for Christians to take part in this festival? After all, it is only an innocent amusement and a tradition that has been around for hundreds of years. Besides, it's really hurting no one.
Well, that is what it seems on the face of it until we begin to really consider it for what it really is; necromancy (sorcery!)
Celebrating Halloween is against the Word of God
The Bible has quite a lot to say about the subject of sorcery. Deuteronomy 18:10-14 for instance, says: “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire [as a sacrifice], one who uses divination and fortune-telling, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead].
For everyone who does these things are utterly repulsive to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God. For these nations which you shall dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners and fortune-tellers, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.”
Let's even leave the Bible aside for a second. Even common sense does not accord with the practice of celebrating ghosts, people when they sleep at night and see scary creatures or ghosts in their dreams, wake up screaming that they've just had a nightmare. This is because the brain is wired to reject scary images and alert the individual to the danger of the situation. If things like that frighten us out of our sleep, how are we comfortable celebrating them when we are wide awake in real life? Christians Have been called to be Counter-cultural when following culture doesn't align with the Bible
As Christians, we have been called to live differently, to be counter-cultural so to speak. Romans 12: 2 says to us: “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” This world we live in is already full of evil spirits roaming about, looking for the slightest invitation from human beings in order to wreak their havoc. Imagine what we do when we set aside a day to celebrate them? Are we even thinking about the ramifications of this thing? Do we honestly believe that they are our friends? That they are smiling with us? There is war, people! This is why Christ followers should desist from such celebrations, no matter how unharmful it might seem. Ephesians 6:12 puts it this way: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.”
Every day is a good day to celebrate Christ instead
If we are looking for what to celebrate, we should celebrate our Heavenly Father, thanking Him for sending Jesus to come and redeem us from the hands of these devils Halloween glorifies. History has it that the ancient Celtic/Gaelic pagan worshippers celebrated Samhain (which we now call Halloween) in honor of the dead asking them to protect their crops as it was around harvest time. Well, we have God and only God in Heaven to thank for the year's harvest for it is He alone who gives us an abundant harvest- Psalm 107: 37-38, Jeremiah 5:24. Finally, the Lord has very strong words for those who do the following: “idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
— Galatians 5:20-21
I, therefore, do not believe that Halloween is some harmless, innocent celebration people have just for fun. These evil spirits they are summoning and invoking are not just myths; they are very real and always ready to destroy. Let us as Christians be guided and also alert others about the dangers of so doing.
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About The Author: Jacqueline is a lawyer as well as a PR professional. She is also mom, to two energetic soldiers who constantly keep her on her toes until they fall asleep. In her spare time, she loves to sing and is also an aspiring writer. Connect with her on Instagram with @zeerrific1.