Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Have you noticed how Halloween seems to get darker every year?

While you may remember getting dressed up in cute costumes and going trick-or-treating as a kid, Halloween isn't the same.

Instead of celebrating Halloween as an excuse to get free candy, culture has started celebrating darkness, demons, and evil during the month of October.

Since Halloween is getting darker and darker, it raises the question...

Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

And what does the Bible say about celebrating Halloween?

In this blog post, we'll discuss whether Christians should celebrate Halloween, including:

• What does the Bible say about Halloween
• 5 things ALL Christians should avoid during Halloween
• Things to keep in mind if you decide to celebrate Halloween

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? 

Before I gave my life to Jesus, I celebrated Halloween for years. I loved dressing up in a provocative outfit, going to bars, and getting drunk. 

Needless to say, my way of celebrating Halloween was not godly. 

But is it okay for churches or Christians to have costume parties or celebrate Halloween?

Even if your kid dressed up as an angel, is it okay to celebrate if they just want to get some free candy?

We will dive into scriptures that will help us decide whether Christians should celebrate Halloween below.

But when it comes to Christians celebrating Halloween, there are two major views on this controversial holiday.

View A: Christians should NOT celebrate Halloween because it is a holiday that worships darkness

Some Christians argue that you shouldn't celebrate Halloween at all.

Since Halloween a pagan holiday that worships the devil and darkness, why would a Christian participate in this holiday?

The Bible makes it clear not to worship the devil or practice forms of witchcraft, and since culture has turned Halloween into a holiday that worships darkness, some Christians decide not to celebrate Halloween at all.

View B: Halloween can be a way for Christians to shine light during a dark holiday

Other Christians argue that they are called to shine God's light at Halloween.

That just with anything else in the world, Christians are called to represent God's love and light in areas that the devil has distorted.

Some Christians argue that Jesus died on the cross to redeem everything on this Earth, including Halloween, and that it's still okay to participate.

What Does the Bible Say About Celebrating Halloween?

To decide if you should celebrate, it's best to study scriptures what God says about celebrating Halloween in the Bible.

As you study the scriptures below and look them up in your own Bible for more context, pray and consider how God is speaking to you.

If you feel convicted or like God is telling you not to participate in Halloween, then it's best not to celebrate.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do everything for the glory of God

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we see that we are called to do everything for the glory of God.  

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

When deciding to celebrate Halloween, ask yourself.

Does Halloween bring God glory? Is how I celebrate glorifying God?

The Christians that think it's okay to celebrate may argue that there is nothing wrong with dressing up in innocent costumes and getting some free candy.

Since they aren't doing anything evil or worshipping darkness, they may think that it's okay to participate.

But the important question to ask is whether Jesus himself would participate in Halloween.

Do you think Jesus would dress up in a costume or go trick-or-treating on a holiday that worships darkness, and the devil?

No.

I think Jesus would be out on the streets, casting out demons and telling the devil to go back to where he belongs.

And even if you choose to dress up as an angel and pray for people on Halloween, you're still participating in a holiday where the world worships darkness.

So even if you have good intentions, it's important to think about how your actions will be perceived by others.

If nonbelievers or nonChristians see their Christian friend or neighbor participating in Halloween, then they may think that their participation in the holiday is a good thing.

Nonbelievers may think that if Christians are celebrating, then there is nothing wrong with Halloween.

But it's hard to justify that God is pleased with the celebration of Halloween.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Christians should not participate in casting spells or witchcraft

Since stores and culture have made darkness, witchcraft, and evil so common, it's important to study what God says about this in the Bible.

In Deuteronomy 18:9-14, the Bible specifically addresses that Christians should not participate in conjuring spirits, going to psychics, fortune-telling, sorcery, casting spells, or engaging in witchcraft.  

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. 

And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.  

Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things.” - Deutronomy 18:9-14 NLT

Stay away from any Halloween activities that involve magic, casting spells, psychics, mediums, or tarot cards.

These are essentially all forms of witchcraft that worship the devil instead of God.

To protect yourself this Halloween, I would stay away from anything involving witches.

Don't dress up as a witch, don't have witch-themed Halloween parties, and don't watch the movie Hocus Pocus.

Whether you intend to or not, you could be opening up the door for witchcraft to enter your life by celebrating witches.

1 Corinthians 10 - Christians should not participate with demons

The Bible also makes it clear that Christians are not to participate with demons.

Just because Barnes & Noble sells demon dolls and just because popular holiday baking shows celebrate making demon cakes doesn't mean you should participate.

In 1 Corinthians 10:19-22, the Bible specifically tells us not to participate with demons. 

¹⁴ So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols...

¹⁹ What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? ²⁰ No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. 

²² What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is? - 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 NLT

Since God tells us in the Bible not to participate with demons, this would include anything demon-related at Halloween.

But even if the Bible didn't tell us this, why would you want to mess with demons?

Demons are spirits from the devil that are sent to destroy your life.

There is nothing cute about a demon, so stay away from anything demon-related at Halloween.

Ephesians 5:11 - Take no part in evil and darkness

In many places in the Bible, like in Ephesians 5:11, God tells us that we are not to participate in evil or darkness.

"Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them." - Ephesians 5:10-11 NLT

In a few scriptures earlier in Ephesians 5, it talks about living in the light.

Christians are called to live in the light, and to imitate God in everything we do.

Ephesians 5 then talks about people who worship the things of this world, and how they will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

And God tells us in Ephesians 5:7-9 not to particate in the things these people of the world do.

"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." - Ephesians 5:7-9 NLT

God calls us to be set apart from the world, and not to participate in the evil or darkness that the world celebrates.

Since Halloween has become a celebration of darkness and devil, it's hard to justify how celebrating Halloween is living in the light of Jesus.

Romans 14:23 - If you have doubts about celebrating, don't do it 

Still not sure if you should celebrate Halloween?

Romans 14:20-23 talks about how it’s wrong to do something if it makes another person stumble.

It also says blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.  

But it also talks about the importance of following your personal convictions: 

“But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.” – Romans 14:23 NLT 

I love this verse because it’s important to remember that God may speak to us and convict us differently, and it’s most important to follow what God is telling you to do, or what not to do. 

So if all your friends or even your church has decided it’s okay to celebrate Halloween, but you feel something inside of you telling you that you shouldn’t, it’s best to listen to your convictions and not celebrate if you don’t have peace about it.

Don't let anyone, even your church or this blog post, convince you to do something you don't have peace about.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Bottom Line

Based on the scriptures above, and if you look at how the world celebrates Halloween, you can see why Christians shouldn’t celebrate at all because it’s become a holiday that worships darkness and the devil.  

And I don’t know about you, but I want nothing to do with glorifying darkness or the devil. 

I personally have decided not to participate in Halloween at all. 

And I choose not to participate in any activities my church or Christian friends are participating in at Halloween.

Now that you've seen what the Bible says about celebrating Halloween, I'll let you decide.

I'm not going to tell you that you can't celebrate Halloween.

Choosing to celebrate any holiday is a personal choice.

But since Halloween has become a holiday that celebrates darkness, demons, and the devil, I would think twice about celebrating Halloween.

Especially if you are sensitive in any of these areas, or if you're worried you'll be tempted to sin by celebrating, it's best not to celebrate if you have any doubts.

5 Things All Christians Should Avoid During Halloween

Since demonic products and items that promote witchcraft are becoming so common in today's culture, it's important to understand the type of things you should ALWAYS AVOID during Halloween.

Even if you decide to celebrate Halloween by dressing up and getting some candy, these 5 things should be avoided by all Christians during Halloween to protect yourself from demonic or witchcraft influences.

5 Things to Avoid During Halloween

1. Tarot cards
2. Pyshic readers or mediums
3. Anything related to witchcraft, including witch movies or witch costumes
4. Items that promote demons or the devil
5. Magic or spells

Things to keep in mind if you decide to celebrate Halloween

As discussed above, it's hard to argue why Christians should celebrate Halloween that becomes darker and darker every year.

While choosing to celebrate Halloween is a personal decision between you and God, it's important to be on guard and protect yourself from demonic influences if you choose to celebrate.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you decide to celebrate Halloween.

Pray and listen to your convictions

If you don’t have peace about celebrating Halloween, honor God and choose not to celebrate. 

You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Don’t be afraid to say no, even if all your friends are celebrating or going out drinking. 

Avoid ungodly or dark places

If you do decide to go out and celebrate, know where you are going and find out if it’s a godly environment.

Even if you don’t plan on getting drunk, do you want to be at a bar packed with a lot of other people that are all trying to get drunk and hook up with each other? 

Know your limits with alcohol

If you decide to drink alcohol this weekend, know your limits and be extra conservative. Don’t take drinks from people you don’t know. Avoid shots or mixed drinks that contain more alcohol. 

And if you struggle with drinking, or are wondering how much is too much, learn more about what the Bible says about drinking and how God showed me that I had a drinking problem.

Leave if you feel uncomfortable

If you go somewhere to celebrate Halloween and you feel uncomfortable, you always have the option to leave.

Don't stay somewhere if you realize that the people are worshipping darkness or something that is not from God.

For example, if you go to a party where people are getting drunk, doing drugs, or practicing forms of witchcraft, it's probably not a good idea to stay.

Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.

If the Holy Spirit is telling you to get out of there, it's best to listen and leave. 

Even if your friends stay at the party and don't understand why you are leaving, it's best to leave and explain later why it was important for you to leave.

With Love,

Erin Elise Kiu