Some Christians have fun on Halloween, some are scared to death of Halloween and some are very vocally against it. I even know one guy that decorates his home “ANTI-Halloween” all through October and hands out “anti-halloween” booklets to kids that ring his doorbell. THAT is pretty scary…
Christians love to argue about it. Some of the stuff I hear people say, on both sides, is hilarious and without merit; little is legit. I can’t solve this dispute, but I can share what I think, since I get asked every year multiple times all through October.
Halloween does have a weird history – kind of like I did before I gave my life to Jesus. If you ask a financial expert they’ll tell you that Halloween is just like every other holiday…all about us spending money. By the way, those experts are estimating that we will spend 8 BILLION on Halloween this year so they’re probably right. Some think its satan’s birthday – I told you some of the things people think are hilarious. Overall, most people seem to see halloween as just a fun holiday.
Here is what I think: Jesus ain’t afraid of Halloween.
When my son started asking things last year like “Daddy, what happens when I die?” and “Daddy, are ghosts real?” I saw it as an awesome opportunity to teach my son.
He will probably ask some of those questions again this year. And I’ll tell him the truth – that Jesus alone has defeated death, fear and even the devil (Hebrews 2:14-15.) I’ll show him how Satan uses things like death and fears that we have as ways to hold us back but that on the cross, Jesus broke the powers of evil and now He reigns victorious.
In 2 Timothy 2:10 it tells us that Jesus got rid of death forever. If you’re a child of God, then death has been made irrelevant for you – it simply cannot hurt you anymore and therefore is nothing to be feared! In the long run, for the Christ follower, death is about as scary as the goofy halloween decor people put up.
Bottom line, Jesus ain’t afraid of Halloween. So I’m not either.
Let me be clear…I think there are some things about Halloween that can be dangerous. The most dangerous thing in my opinion though is hiding and keeping silent when friends, co-workers or even our own children need answers. The deep questions that Halloween raises are all answered by what Jesus did on the cross.
If you don’t want to participate in Halloween, I get it. I will respect you and the decision you have made for your family. But please, stop talking, acting and thinking that Jesus is hiding from it. And most of all, stop criticizing other Christ followers who are participating.
As Christ followers, we need to be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. I am for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Isn’t it better for me to use every opportunity I have to speak that truth rather than wasting my words by complaining about a holiday?
I just want to share the truth. The truth is that death loses every single time Jesus gets involved. When Jesus shows up evil spirits run and when we put our faith in Him and His promise to us, we can overcome anything that we fear.
Brang it Halloween. I ain’t afraid of you…and neither is Jesus!
