Oh boy, another round of ghouls, goblins, devils and witches. And that is just the kid's . . .

Every year All Hallows Eve, Samhain, Helloween, whatever we want to call it comes-a-knock, knock-a-knocking on our door dressed as anything from Batman to the Ghost of Christmas past. Where does this day fit into the Biblical Perspective? How do we treat it? Is it "harmless fun"? Or is there something about the practices and traditions that we should beware of?

Now, this little perspective won't go into the history of how the day came to be and what the deep meaning of every Jack of the Lantern and symbol means. That area has been well traveled and I don't want to walk there today with you. But rather I would prefer to consider the contemporary trappings and have you, the gentle reader, ask yourself: "Should I or my family participate in the activities of this day, in any measure?"

Looking at the various trappings associated with Halloween, I see several warning flags that pop up. Great, really big red ones in fact.

Warning Themes

Witches

A major, constant part of halloween is the witch. On her broomstick, off the broomstick. Go to walmart, witch costumes make up at least 5% of the available wares. Note the Halloween is a High Holy day amongst the Wiccan (Witchcraft) religion.

Bible:

1. Exodus 22:18 exhorts us "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." While we shouldn't take that as a mandate to go take a propane torch to every Wiccan we meet, in New Testament Application it does mean that we should allow no aspect of witchcraft to live in our lives.

2. Galatians 5:20 names witchcraft as a work of the flesh, admonishing and warning that they that do such shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Death

Gravestones, skeletons, gruesome undead themes. So much though that it seems Halloween is a worship of death and the grave. Why the fascination with that? Do we not serve the king of Life, who has over come death, hell and the grave? Should the children of life participate in a celebration of death?

Bible:

1. 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 KJV

(54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

(55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

2. (John 10:10 KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Over-All Appearance of Evil

Pumpkins carved with leering, evil faces, demonic overtones, murder, blood. Imagery designed to be frightening fueling hollywood productions that display death and dismemberment in graphic detail.

Bible:

1. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil. Do you realize that participation in a thing is tacit approval of that thing?

2. Ephesians 5:11-16 KJV

(11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

(12) For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

(13) But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

(14) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Other Notables

Candy From Strangers

Is it wise to go door to door accepting candy from unregenerate sinners and allowing our kids to gorge on it?

One may say, "Oh, I inspect the candy." Really? So you can tell if someone injected something harmful into that snickers bar with an insulin syringe? I can't. As a diabetic with those syringes I put it to the test. I injected some water into a candy bar. I couldn't find the needle's entry point with a magnifying glass.

The Halloween Party

Ah..The revels. Reveling (Partying) is also a work of the flesh that would keep us from an eternity with Jesus.

Excuses

Excuse: It is harmless, clean fun. There is nothing wrong with it.

Answer: I have given three biblical witnesses that show that it isn't. As I stated, participation is tacit approval. If you participate, you are saying to the world: "These trappings are A-OK for a Christian."

Excuse: I will just dress my children up as Bible Characters, that way they can be a witness.

Answer: The key to a successful witness is separated consecration to Jesus Christ. Again. Participation is approval. By taking part in any measure we are saying: "This is fine and honorable."

Excuse: But people dressing up as witches and demons aren't really those things, they are just playacting for a fun day.

Answer: People on halloween pick costumes based upon their inward desires. Many is the girl dressed as a witch who wishes she was one, many is the boy dressed as a pirate who would dearly love to be that. The Bible tells us to abstain from the very appearance of evil. How then is dressing the part of something evil good and wholesome?

Excuse: But all that imagery doesn't mean anything, it is all in fun!

Answer: The imagery is there because it does in fact mean something. It is a representation of the inward desires of the flesh of the celebrants. Read Galatians 5:19-21. Many of those things listed as works of the flesh, that will keep us from being with Jesus are simply "all in fun."

Go Ahead, Put it to the Test

The Philipians 4:8 Test is a doctrinally sound application of scripture Lets us apply that to Halloween (You Answer Them!):

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1. What is true about Halloween?

2. What is Just About Halloween and it's trappings and traditions?

3. Is there any purity in participating in a day of celebration with so much that is blatantly wicked about it?

4. What is lovely about costumes portraying axe murderers, or gravestones with skulls on them?

5. Is there a good report to be had in overt occult representations?

6. What virtue is available in taking part in a day of sinful reveling?

7. What is praiseworthy about these activities?

Well, I have run my course. Please prayerfully consider all of the above.