This topic tends to be a controversial one amongst Christians. I believe it's one of personal conviction and I’m simply here to share my experience and where I stand today... not to convince you otherwise.
Ultimately you have the freedom in Christ to follow the conviction of your heart. Whatever you do... do to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31) and be a light in the darkness of this fallen world. (Matt 5:14-16)
Like most kids, I dressed up and “celebrated” Halloween well into my 20's, but it wasn’t until then that I really felt the Lord convicting me.
One night out, we were waiting in the freezing cold as the rain poured and poured outside a long line to get into a bar. As per usual, the streets were packed, the bars were packed... but this time it just felt a little different for me. Looking around and seeing people heavily intoxicated and one girl I'll never forget. She was walking beside me (I vividly remember her fishnet tights exposing the bottom part of her body) and then out of nowhere turned to the curb and vomited over and over into the street. I don't remember if anyone helped her, but I just felt annoyed, disgusted, angry, embarrassed... all of the emotions for her, myself, and everything going on around me.
You probably could say that's behavior you can see anytime of the year in that setting... and yes perhaps you'd probably be right. But that's precisely the point.
Is it a sin to dress up a child in something cute on any given day of the year (let aside Halloween?) Of course not.
But on the other hand is it okay to dress provocatively, engage in sexual behavior and get drunk on any given day of the year (let aside Halloween?) No it is not.
As a claiming Christian, I knew I was separate from the darkness. So then how could I innocently engage in a day that celebrates literally everything contrary to what the Lord says? How could I be in the midst of all of the evil and then claim Jesus any other day of the year with a clean conscience?
It simply didn’t sit right with me anymore. From that day on, I decided I no longer would take part of this day the way that the world does. And I also knew I wouldn't want my future children to partake in it either.
Does that mean as Christians we need to hide in our homes and shut the lights off on Halloween so no one knows we're inside? Of course not!
What other day of the year do we have an opportunity to bring the Gospel to a lost world? We can give them the truth and be light even on a dark day. Chick tracts creates these amazing little comics that gives children, teens, and adults the Gospel message. They can be handed out with candy, chocolate, treats etc,...
I would be lying if I didn't admit I wouldn't love to dress up my children in cute costumes and match with them. The flesh desires things of the world because it's corrupted. That's why it's always a fight between spirit and flesh. Even Paul wrote of dealing with this:
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ~Romans 7:15-25
It's not easy, we all struggle with wanting to be part of the things of this world, to be liked and fit in, etc... But as a Christian, I now know that the things of the flesh are temporary and the things of the spirit are what matters and will last forever.
Christians are the salt of the earth, the light of the world... the city upon a hill that cannot be hid. We are to be separate from the darkness. We are in the world... but no longer of it.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ~Matthew 5:13-15
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14
Don't be disheartened though. God is merciful and truly long-suffering for everyone to come to know the truth. Just like He was patient with me to come to know Him and the truth... He gave me so much grace when I chose to disobey Him and also when I simply didn't know any better. But people can change, I changed... and you can change too.
All in all, whatever decision you make should be one that gives you peace with God. You should have a clean conscience and not feel guilt towards what you are doing.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. ~ Romans 14:23
Lastly, remember God is indifferent to something that is harmless on any day (as well as on a proclaimed holiday)... but He is never okay with evil, whether it be Halloween or any random day.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
with all my love and for His glory,
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