Happy Halloween or No
The Halloween season has passed for this year, but before it gets to far away from us I wanted to at least address one aspect of this holiday that I feel has significant spiritual implications. An area that many believers are probably honestly not aware of, but should be. There is much about Halloween we can enjoy and celebrate, even as believers. However, if one feels the need to totally abstain that is commendable as well. Still, if we celebrate or participate in Halloween activites we should be sure we are only doing so in a way that is acceptable to the Lord. In short, if Jesus would do it then we can do it, and if Jesus wouldn’t then neither should we.
Of Meats & Idols
So what about trick or treating? Am I saying Jesus wouldn’t participate in dressing up and freely receiving treats from kind neighbors? No. Am I saying there is something evil about that in and of itself? No, but there may be something wrong with the way in which we do it (i.e. the costumes we pick, the words we say, the attitudes we allow to arise within us, and the excusing of the darkness so often affiliated and entwined with this holiday). I wonder sometimes if we wouldn’t be better just to abrogate the holiday, as believers, and establish our own seperate time for kids to have fun dressing up and getting treats. Yet I realize that is likely not going to happen.
I’m not trying to judge those who choose to participate; one eats meat, even meat sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:4), and another doesn’t (Romans 14:2), but God receives them both (Romans 14:3). What God will not tolerate is our eating meat offered to idols with conscience toward the idol (1 Corinthians 8:7), or in the idol’s house (2 Corinthians 6:16), that is as part of the worship of the idol! Still, meat is meat is meat … and God doesn’t forbid us meat (Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 8:8). Much of the Hallowen traditions essentially fall in the same sort of category. So again, I’m not trying to be condemning here. I only want to warn of things about this holiday that we shouldn’t participate in as believers, and explain why. For this blog entry we are just going to focus on one aspect, trick or treating.
Trick or Treat
Modern day trick or treating originated in pagan culture and religious practices associated with the day of Samhain, as well as from souling and prayers for the dead in some Christian traditions and practices. However, the phrase trick or treat itself is a form or means of extortion; a threat of mischief if not rewarded. Morally errant as that is alone, it’s origins are even darker than many may realize. It is said to derive from pagan practices, like those mentioned above, where Druid priests and/or worshipers would demand treats in the form of livestock, produce, and children from villagers and neighbors that could then be used in sacrifice and offerings to demons and false gods. They demanded these treats under threat of a trick, that is a hex or curse, if anyone did not comply with their demands. There is probably much we could say scripturally againts this practice, but suffice it to say that we are given clear instructions which makes the use of this phrase or terminology itself unacceptable — even more so once we have knowledge of it’s origin and true meaning.
Even today, where children typically have no idea what it means, and usually only utter it as mere repetition and formality for receiving candy, with no ill will attached, it is nevertheless inappropriate for believers. All the more so if one understands or participates in the mischief threatened thereby. Why? Because Scripture is clear that we are not to curse, but bless. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Our Lord has said to love our enemies, and to bless those who would curse and harm us (Matthew 5:44). Hardly the kind of attitude that would allow for one to even casually threaten, much less actually wish or perform, some evil on another. Furthermore, we are instructed to let our speech be always with grace (Colossians 4:6), and warned that we will give an account for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). Clearly such instructions leave no room for the believer to pronounce the curse of “trick or treat”, even emptily, on another.
To Know or Not to Know
If you’ve done so in ignorance don’t fret. The Lord is gracious and merciful, and certainly looks on the heart. He knows if there was no ill intent (1 Timothy 1:13). However, He also expects us to grow in grace and knowledge, and to conform to the teaching of His word in all things. Now you know, or at least have been given the opportunity to learn better. So it’s no longer as simple as just excusing or overlooking it in the name of ignorance, nor fun (Luke 12:47-48). We must decide if the word of the Lord, and our confomority to it, is more important to us than social acceptance and holiday traditions (1 Peter 1:14). Christ must be Lord of all, even our Halloween activities, which leaves no room for cursing others with the threat of a trick (be it a hex or some mischief) unless we receive a treat. No friends, Jesus wouldn’t do that. Therefore neither should we. Nor should we teach our children so.
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