With the arrival of October, an unsettling darkness has crept into the air—Halloween looms on the horizon. Storefronts are adorned with ghastly witches and eerie decorations that whisper of fright. Social media feeds overflow with creepy images, and homes are decorated with spooky silhouettes of skeletons and ghosts. I can almost hear the laughter of children eagerly choosing their costumes and the shuffling of candy wrappers. But amidst all the excitement, my heart feels heavy. I can't help but wonder, is this what we want to celebrate?
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we Christians are called to be light in the world, which is quickly fading darker. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a radical truth. It challenges us to think about what we invite into our lives and homes, even when it's popular with others. When I see those spooky decorations, I feel sad for people because I know they pull families away from the Light.
Let me share a little story. A few years back, I was driving through a neighborhood when I noticed a house lit up with a scene straight out of a horror movie. There were tombstones, cobwebs, and eerie music playing in the background. At that moment, a deep sadness washed over me. It was as if that house was yelling, "Here's a celebration of fear and darkness." I found myself praying for the family inside, wondering if they realized the message they were sending. How could we, as Christians, embrace the very things Jesus came to conquer?
In 2 Corinthians 6:14, we're reminded, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" It's a potent reminder that we can't mix light and darkness without compromising our Bible message and relationship with the Lord of Light. Every time we decorate with symbols that celebrate fear, darkness, and things abominable to God, we are dimming our own light. And that's not what we're instructed to do. Jesus commands us in Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Let's be honest—There's nothing glorious about Halloween. Halloween is a culture steeped in superstition, fear, pagan idolatry, and demonology. Instead of promoting love, joy and peace, it encourages us to revel in what's sinister, gruesome, and scary. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. When we engage with Halloween, are we really reflecting those attributes of God? Or are we allowing fear, dread, and horror to seep into our homes and minds?
Instead of joining in the Halloween festivities, I choose to create moments that radiate the light and peace of God. I remember one year, my friends and I gathered for a Bible study. The kitchen was filled with a bunch of delicious food, and we spent the evening playing games and sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. As we sat down to study the Bible together, the joy in the room was palpable. It became a cherished memory—one that celebrated life, hope and peace rather than fear and evil.
In other years, my friends and I have stood near Halloween festivals, handing out gospel tracts and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We've even witnessed people give their lives to Christ right outside haunted houses. Personally, I’ve sat at my front door, passing out gospel tracts to trick-or-treaters. It's a perfect opportunity to share the Light of the gospel with hundreds of children and families who need the God of Light.
As Halloween approaches this year, let's take time to reflect on how we, as individuals and households, want to demonstrate Christ to our communities. We have the choice to shine the light of Jesus rather than celebrate fear and darkness. What if we invited friends and neighbors to join us for a Bible study, an hour of prayer, or a shared meal? What if, instead of hiding behind masks, we shared our testimonies of God’s goodness over hot cocoa?
Let’s not be consumed by the darkness of our culture; instead, let’s be the light of God in our communities. As Ephesians 5:8-11 reminds us, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” We are instructed not only to shine His light for ourselves but to illuminate the path for others. Our mission is to spread the light of Christ Jesus, not to further the darkness in an already dark world.
So, as the spooky decorations go up all around us, let’s pause and consider what we’re truly celebrating. Instead, let’s embrace Christ’s light, filling our homes with reminders of His holiness and creating spaces that reflect His joy, hope, and peace. Together, we can step away from Halloween and into a season that glorifies the Lord of Light. After all, in Christ, we have so much to celebrate!
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we Christians are called to be light in the world, which is quickly fading darker. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a radical truth. It challenges us to think about what we invite into our lives and homes, even when it's popular with others. When I see those spooky decorations, I feel sad for people because I know they pull families away from the Light.
Let me share a little story. A few years back, I was driving through a neighborhood when I noticed a house lit up with a scene straight out of a horror movie. There were tombstones, cobwebs, and eerie music playing in the background. At that moment, a deep sadness washed over me. It was as if that house was yelling, "Here's a celebration of fear and darkness." I found myself praying for the family inside, wondering if they realized the message they were sending. How could we, as Christians, embrace the very things Jesus came to conquer?
In 2 Corinthians 6:14, we're reminded, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" It's a potent reminder that we can't mix light and darkness without compromising our Bible message and relationship with the Lord of Light. Every time we decorate with symbols that celebrate fear, darkness, and things abominable to God, we are dimming our own light. And that's not what we're instructed to do. Jesus commands us in Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Let's be honest—There's nothing glorious about Halloween. Halloween is a culture steeped in superstition, fear, pagan idolatry, and demonology. Instead of promoting love, joy and peace, it encourages us to revel in what's sinister, gruesome, and scary. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. When we engage with Halloween, are we really reflecting those attributes of God? Or are we allowing fear, dread, and horror to seep into our homes and minds?
Instead of joining in the Halloween festivities, I choose to create moments that radiate the light and peace of God. I remember one year, my friends and I gathered for a Bible study. The kitchen was filled with a bunch of delicious food, and we spent the evening playing games and sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. As we sat down to study the Bible together, the joy in the room was palpable. It became a cherished memory—one that celebrated life, hope and peace rather than fear and evil.
In other years, my friends and I have stood near Halloween festivals, handing out gospel tracts and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We've even witnessed people give their lives to Christ right outside haunted houses. Personally, I’ve sat at my front door, passing out gospel tracts to trick-or-treaters. It's a perfect opportunity to share the Light of the gospel with hundreds of children and families who need the God of Light.
As Halloween approaches this year, let's take time to reflect on how we, as individuals and households, want to demonstrate Christ to our communities. We have the choice to shine the light of Jesus rather than celebrate fear and darkness. What if we invited friends and neighbors to join us for a Bible study, an hour of prayer, or a shared meal? What if, instead of hiding behind masks, we shared our testimonies of God’s goodness over hot cocoa?
Let’s not be consumed by the darkness of our culture; instead, let’s be the light of God in our communities. As Ephesians 5:8-11 reminds us, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” We are instructed not only to shine His light for ourselves but to illuminate the path for others. Our mission is to spread the light of Christ Jesus, not to further the darkness in an already dark world.
So, as the spooky decorations go up all around us, let’s pause and consider what we’re truly celebrating. Instead, let’s embrace Christ’s light, filling our homes with reminders of His holiness and creating spaces that reflect His joy, hope, and peace. Together, we can step away from Halloween and into a season that glorifies the Lord of Light. After all, in Christ, we have so much to celebrate!
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
