Halloween

I went trick or treating two years ago and haven't gone since. I don't remember that much, except that I didn't want any of the hundreds of candy pieces I received, my legs were tired out from all the walking, and no one could figure out what my friends and I were (pandas). The past Halloweens have typically been very uneventful, with the usual stampedes of children racing across our beautiful, mushroom-filled, crab-grass greenish lawn and us yelling "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Thanksgiving!" at the departing children. 

For many people, Halloween's all about the candy, and having fun, and getting to dress up as people you probably never will be like. But for others, it's about watching scary movies, dressing as horrifying as possible, and scaring little kids half to their death. It's about being the most intimidating and trying to make each other more fearful than you. It's about seeing if you're braver than others.

It's always important to see your inner motives, your reason behind what you do or celebrate. Halloween is no exception: you need to check yourself and decide why you're celebrating it. Is it for the fun, or is it to celebrate death?

Some people say Halloween is just good fun. I can totally see that! For many people, that's all it is to it, and I have nothing against that! But just for a few minutes, I want to ask you to keep an open mind on what I'm going to say about a deeper meaning behind Halloween. You don't have to agree with me, or stop celebrating it just because I said so - that decision is for you to make. And like I said, it's okay to have fun, just make sure you know why you're celebrating and do it in a way that will still honor God!

Halloween stripped of its candy and fun: fear, demons, death, horror, tricks, ghosts, dark movies, haunted houses- does any of that shout Jesus at you? 

Fear- once Satan has a foothold in you, he'll keep hanging on until he's got his whole leg- and more- securely attached. There have been things I've read or watched that still haven't completely left me - and if we're all honest, fear gets the best of us. I read a novel about hypnotism, and let me tell you, that really messed with my brain. I can't really explain it- it was really weird and a little scary - but I started imaging things and worrying about things I hadn't before. Be careful what you're reading and watching - it'll influence you in some way, I guarantee you.

Halloween can also become an invitation for Satan to seize you and pull you in, distracting you from things that you should be thinking of (like meditating on God's word!) and instead making you dwell on things of Satan, like fear and death. Also, don't rely on others to make your decisions or just follow people blindly - ask God what you should do, and He'll answer you if it's His will. The answer is where the peace is, remember that! For some of you, yes, you may be able to celebrate it for just the candy and costumes, and yes, of course, God knows your heart and your motives! Make sure your motives are clean, and if you're just celebrating it to have fun and dress up, be my guest! But I encourage you not to do it for the death and the horror.

Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." We are to think on things that are true, and righteous, and admirable - is making others afraid admirable? Is tricking someone admirable? Is death lovely, excellent, praiseworthy? Should you be dwelling on things like this, even for a second? 

Also: "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on." That's Proverbs 4:14-15. We are to stay away from evil or anything of evil. We are not to dwell on it or join it; we are to pass on and walk away from it. However, that does not mean you are supposed to stay in solitude because all mankind is sinful! No, Jesus sat and ate with sinners and tax collectors, and yet He was still perfect. Know your boundaries. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak! You may say, 'Oh, I'll never become like that' but you need to know that your sinful flesh is strong, and be aware of how much you expose yourself to. "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20. And Proverbs 16:17 also says, "Good people stay away from evil. By watching what they do, they protect their lives." Wow. Be careful what you do, family!

And also...why is it, on October 31st, that we say "Happy Halloween" to everyone? I mean, we all know that Halloween is when people put up skeletons and talk about death and all that stuff, so we are we calling it "Happy"? Why isn't it "Sad Halloween"? Honestly, I'm not completely sure...I mean, for all our holidays, we pretty much say "Happy" or "Merry". But also keep in mind that Satan uses anything and everything and twists it around to deceive you and trick you. On the outside, he makes it seem like Halloween is all about fun and candy and trick or treating. But on the inside, is it about focusing on him and his evil deeds and traps? Or is the inside as innocent as the outside; are you doing it just for fun (which is okay)?

Let me just end with one more thing. I want to say that, like my mom brought up today, there are lots of Christians who do celebrate Halloween. That doesn't mean they won't go to Heaven because of that! Just be careful what you are doing - remember, every single thing we do, every thought we think - it will all be judged on that final day. Think on pure, godly things. Speak life over yourself. And shine wherever you are - for Christ.

Is Halloween okay to celebrate? I'll leave that up to you. I encourage you to pray about it. 

Whatever you decide/do, I pray you would be protected from the spiritual attacks from Satan. You are loved, no matter what.

Note: for another amazing post about halloween and accepting others by an amazing blogger, see here.
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