My Views on Halloween

As my relationship with God grows and I spend more time getting to know who He is, I love Him more and more. I find that He has called me as His child and a follower of His Son, Jesus Christ to live a holy life to the best of my ability. I find that the more love and respect I have for the Lord, the less tolerance I have for things that are surrounded in sin and stem from sin. Such as, cursing, the occult, dirty jokes, etc. Christians are far from perfect and even within Christianity, many do not agree on exactly how to live as Christians. That is a path of life that each of us must determine in our own walk with God. "You who love the Lord, hate evil..." Psalm 97:10 HCSB

1. Aspects of Halloween do not honor God.
Aside from most of its origins stemming from occultic practices, as believers in Christ Jesus and the absolute truth of the Holy Bible, we are called to "Stay away from every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22 HCSB.

God has decreed that the demonic/occultic practices are detestable to Him. Even in the form of pretend, I cannot see that dressing up, pretending to be anything unholy, or participating in activities that play with occultic beliefs would be found as pleasing to the Lord. "No one among you is to make his son or daughter pass through the fire [human sacrifice], practive divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery, cast spells, consult a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquire of the dead. Everyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord..." Deuteronomy 18:10-12 HCSB

Galations 5 (HCSB)
Verse 13 "For you were called to be free, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."
Verse 16 "I say then, walk by the [Holy] Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh"
Verse 19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar."

2. Spiritual Warfare is REAL. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world pwoers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." Ephesians 6:11-12 HCSB

Satan is the great deceiver and will use any means necessary to gain access into your life and weave lies and confusion about the truth of the gospel of Christ. Even participating in simple fun on Halloween has the potential to expose you to be influences of Satan and his demons. I choose to be more cautious and avoid the temptation and the lure of evil things. Halloween is a night where people who practice Satanism and other occultic rituals do so in great numbers. I don't know if this night contains more demonic activity than any other night, but it is a night where such things are culturally accepted and played with in the name of "fun". I choose to protect myself and my family as best I can by avoiding these things.

3. That being said, there are many different ways Christians choose to treat Halloween. Many think it is an innocent night of fun, costumes and candy. Some participate in church alternatives parties. Some pass out candy and Christian tracts. Others completely ignore it.

I fall into the the group that believes that we must teach our children the spiritual dangers of Spiritual Warfare, caution for occultic practices, and how we can be a light for Christ to those around us. Children need to be sheltered and taught in a safe environment. This year we participated in our church festival. I also would not be opposed to passing out tracts with candy to share the love of Christ with those who do not know Him. This is my belief in how I feel God would have me raise my children and live my faith concerning Halloween. Each Christian must make their own choice following with how they feel God has called them to act. I encourage you to look at www.gotquestions.org and type in the question: should Christians celebrate Halloween? It provides more scriptural references.

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable -if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise -dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 HCSB

The WAR is WON!

2 Timothy 3:12 "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spriritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I am acutely aware of Ephesians 6:12.  I don't always recognize it in the midst of the chaos of life situations, but when I take a moment to step back (sometimes with the help of others), it is so obvious.  For the past several months, I have been cautious about praying outloud.  A bit fearful to speak out loud my hopes, my fears, etc.  I did not want to give ammunition to Satan and his mercinaries.  They are not God and cannot read my thoughts...but any demonic presence near me could know what I write and say. 

In my lack of speaking out loud, I realized I was losing the closeness with my Holy Father.  Thoughts can get distracted and be irradic.  Praying out loud or even in writing helps me to organize my thoughts and focus them.  The newest lesson I am learning is a repeat.  It is one Satan likes to push out of the way and ignore.  THE WAR IS ALREADY WON!  When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he defeated Satan once and for all.  Satan's fate is sealed.  He will never overpower God.  So he is left to deceiving human beings to prevent them from knowing the Joy of the Lord.  Dragging whoever he can get to believe him to the same judgement he will receive.

I will not be afraid of Satan or his demons.  My Saviour, JESUS CHRIST, is more powerful and able to save me from anything Satan or his demons tries to bring me down with.  Admittedly, being strong is not easy and I have ups and downs all the time.  No matter what battles I may lose, through Christ, I have won the war.

Under Attack

The stress of the past week got to me tonight.  Feeling so discouraged and angry.  Not having any control or ability to speak out about what was happening around me and to people I care about.  Then my husband gently reminded me...had I given it to God?  Had I let go or was I holding on?

It brought a whole new perspective to light.  Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

I prayed asking God to take my burden.  To remove it from me.  To enable me to let it go and not let it fester.  I am slowly feeling more at peace and more able to rest.  I prayed for those making the decisions that were wreaking havoc in my life.  I know I am not the only one being attacked lately.  I pray that we would be delivered and strengthened and our perspective would be His.