Celebrating Halloween, is it wrong or not a big deal?
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A
The unfruitful works of darkness are: covetousness, perversity, fornication, idolatry, rioting, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, jealousy, arguing, fighting. The unfruitful works of darkness are inward (heart) conditions. It's walking in the flesh and not in the spirit of Christ Jesus.
If we want to get technical, every single holiday we celebrate in modern society originated from pagan roots. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving & Halloween. Even the way people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and funerals generated from pagan rituals.
Also, there's numerous insects, animals, and aspects of nature (owls, cats, locusts, frogs, cows, trees, the sun, the moon, etc) that have been either worshipped and/or believed to be accursed. People will idolize movie stars, popular singers & musicians, billionaires, sports icons, legendary authors, distinguished scientists, famous politicians, etc.
Paul even pointed out that many people were beguiled by religious leaders who spoke with “excellent speech and persuasive words” of so-called wisdom. Many people flatter these religious leaders and exalt them over others because they’re convinced they’re more deserving of praise by their flowery speech and popularity.
In other words, there isn't much under the sun that's not been corrupted and defiled by carnal man. You'd be hard pressed to find a holiday celebration that doesn't have roots in carnality.
Nevertheless, Jesus attended a wedding celebration in Cana and not only turned water into wine, but drank it. So what does that tell us? "To the pure, everything is pure."
We are in this world, not of it. We can't reach the lost if all we do is point our finger at everything and proclaim it’s demonic like anxiety-ridden fanatics. That is insane. Romans 14:14 tells us, “I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.”
We can perceive anything evil when we take our eyes off the light of God and focus on darkness. This is our Father's world and everything that's in it.
We can celebrate any holiday so long as we do everything as unto the Lord. That is, do all with a joyful heart in Christ Jesus and treat others the way we want to be treated: with love and acceptance, as Jesus treats us.
Of course, there are boundaries and we shouldn't give ourselves over to lack of self-control. But instead of freaking out in anxiety and condemning everything because it might have roots is paganism, ask God for wisdom and trust him to guide you in all things.
If someone doesn’t want to celebrate Halloween, they shouldn’t celebrate it. If someone else has peace about it, then they should celebrate it. It's that simple.
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it was never appealing to me. i remember one time, i told my mom i didn't want to go to school on that day, and she let me stay home lol!
it doesn't bother me if local congregations do like a fall fest/trunk or treat/hallelujah night.
in college (A/G university), one of the student organizations promoted students to trick or treat, but instead of asking for candy, they asked for canned goods to start the thanksgiving drive. i thought that was cool.
it doesn't bother me if local congregations do like a fall fest/trunk or treat/hallelujah night.
in college (A/G university), one of the student organizations promoted students to trick or treat, but instead of asking for candy, they asked for canned goods to start the thanksgiving drive. i thought that was cool.
The unfruitful works of darkness are: covetousness, perversity, fornication, idolatry, rioting, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, jealousy, arguing, fighting. The unfruitful works of darkness are inward (heart) conditions. It's walking in the flesh and not in the spirit of Christ Jesus.
If we want to get technical, every single holiday we celebrate in modern society originated from pagan roots. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving & Halloween. Even the way people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and funerals generated from pagan rituals.
Also, there's numerous insects, animals, and aspects of nature (owls, cats, locusts, frogs, cows, trees, the sun, the moon, etc) that have been either worshipped and/or believed to be accursed. People will idolize movie stars, popular singers & musicians, billionaires, sports icons, legendary authors, distinguished scientists, famous politicians, etc.
Paul even pointed out that many people were beguiled by religious leaders who spoke with “excellent speech and persuasive words” of so-called wisdom. Many people flatter these religious leaders and exalt them over others because they’re convinced they’re more deserving of praise by their flowery speech and popularity.
In other words, there isn't much under the sun that's not been corrupted and defiled by carnal man. You'd be hard pressed to find a holiday celebration that doesn't have roots in carnality.
Nevertheless, Jesus attended a wedding celebration in Cana and not only turned water into wine, but drank it. So what does that tell us? "To the pure, everything is pure."
We are in this world, not of it. We can't reach the lost if all we do is point our finger at everything and proclaim it’s demonic like anxiety-ridden fanatics. That is insane. Romans 14:14 tells us, “I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.”
We can perceive anything evil when we take our eyes off the light of God and focus on darkness. This is our Father's world and everything that's in it.
We can celebrate any holiday so long as we do everything as unto the Lord. That is, do all with a joyful heart in Christ Jesus and treat others the way we want to be treated: with love and acceptance, as Jesus treats us.
Of course, there are boundaries and we shouldn't give ourselves over to lack of self-control. But instead of freaking out in anxiety and condemning everything because it might have roots is paganism, ask God for wisdom and trust him to guide you in all things.
If someone doesn’t want to celebrate Halloween, they shouldn’t celebrate it. If someone else has peace about it, then they should celebrate it. It's that simple.
Then it wouldn't be using a wonderful adage that you agree with, it would be totally misusing it. Huge difference.
That line of thinking, taken in the correct context, has nothing to do with with facilitating confusion, strife or irrationality.
The meaning that you've made of it, that particular context, is an excellent tool for the enemy.
You've taken it to a perverse extreme in that example. That's why God gives us discernment. To be crept into this extreme, paranoid way is the way of the enemy whose job it is to pervert and twist everything to facilitate confusion.
There's good news. As believers we have God and His word, which is a far more powerful tool than anything the enemy attempts to use to manipulate our minds with. With God we are not lost, the enemy is however the source of confusion and that is the nature of your sentiment. People can be either half hearted about it and not care or run wild with worry about everything - God doesn't call us to do either. He calls us to be powerful, peaceful and discerning.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Your statement would actually be something to be concerned over, had it not be for those of us who know and love God. Without God we're never lost and in a consistent growing relationship with the Lord He leads down the right path - not to a half hearted one, not to one that is fraught with worry and no peace as your comment describes. He calls us to the righteous one - the best path of all that only God can lead us down. He will only lead us down that path if we want to walk it though, if however people are interested in finding a way to justify their flesh then they're going to be a much longer harder journey.
That line of thinking, taken in the correct context, has nothing to do with with facilitating confusion, strife or irrationality.
The meaning that you've made of it, that particular context, is an excellent tool for the enemy.
You've taken it to a perverse extreme in that example. That's why God gives us discernment. To be crept into this extreme, paranoid way is the way of the enemy whose job it is to pervert and twist everything to facilitate confusion.
There's good news. As believers we have God and His word, which is a far more powerful tool than anything the enemy attempts to use to manipulate our minds with. With God we are not lost, the enemy is however the source of confusion and that is the nature of your sentiment. People can be either half hearted about it and not care or run wild with worry about everything - God doesn't call us to do either. He calls us to be powerful, peaceful and discerning.
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Your statement would actually be something to be concerned over, had it not be for those of us who know and love God. Without God we're never lost and in a consistent growing relationship with the Lord He leads down the right path - not to a half hearted one, not to one that is fraught with worry and no peace as your comment describes. He calls us to the righteous one - the best path of all that only God can lead us down. He will only lead us down that path if we want to walk it though, if however people are interested in finding a way to justify their flesh then they're going to be a much longer harder journey.
U
So what you're saying is you will cease all involvement with Halloween because of its connection to false gods. But in other areas of life you will continue with those ties?
Mind you, I only have two examples of a plethora of aspects of daily life influenced by ancient paganism. The crux of the question was to ask if you are willing to give up those ties in All areas of your life, or just the one that allows you to make a show of it?
I've yet to meet a Christian that speaks against the pagan roots of holidays that carried that same belief through all their life. So I'm eager to find that one consistent person.
Mind you, I only have two examples of a plethora of aspects of daily life influenced by ancient paganism. The crux of the question was to ask if you are willing to give up those ties in All areas of your life, or just the one that allows you to make a show of it?
I've yet to meet a Christian that speaks against the pagan roots of holidays that carried that same belief through all their life. So I'm eager to find that one consistent person.
A
The scriptures warn us against any traditions, customs, precepts, or laws that are apart from the law of the spirit of Jesus Christ. We must always obey Christ over what man tells us. The empty traditions of men passed down through time, even those from our own forefathers or elders, do not make us holy. We may boast that we do this or boast that we do not do that, but it doesn't make us holy. Only Christ Jesus makes us holy. We can boast of him.
1 Peter 1:18-19, "Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
So with that, any traditions that we hold which have been passed down from our own parents and ancestors, or our church, are worthless if we put faith in them, if we believe their traditions sanctify us.
I raised my kids in a church that was against Halloween. They held a harvest party for the kids instead. As my kids got older, they helped me realize that I was influenced by fear of evil stemming from my childhood, which caused me to be overprotective of them. The church increased that fear by condemning other people as evil for not following after their specific beliefs.
Mark 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own traditions."
What is the commandment of God? Love God with all your heart and treat your neighbor as yourself.
A neighbor once invited me to a Christmas party at a Mormon hall. She asked if I could help decorate, help serve the guests and help with the children’s music. I agreed to go. But the people from the church where I was attending warned me not to go because they said it was evil and it would be against God. I went anyway because I was convinced in my spirit that the Lord was working something out.
While at the party, the Lord led people to me (troubled teenagers and a few young women) to confide in me about their lives. All of them knew I was a Christian, and all of them asked me about Jesus Christ secretly. I was so happy I listened to God and had gone there!
As for the church I was attending, they asked me to leave. They said I was rebellious and not mindful of God because I didn't do what they said.
1 Peter 1:18-19, "Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
So with that, any traditions that we hold which have been passed down from our own parents and ancestors, or our church, are worthless if we put faith in them, if we believe their traditions sanctify us.
I raised my kids in a church that was against Halloween. They held a harvest party for the kids instead. As my kids got older, they helped me realize that I was influenced by fear of evil stemming from my childhood, which caused me to be overprotective of them. The church increased that fear by condemning other people as evil for not following after their specific beliefs.
Mark 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own traditions."
What is the commandment of God? Love God with all your heart and treat your neighbor as yourself.
A neighbor once invited me to a Christmas party at a Mormon hall. She asked if I could help decorate, help serve the guests and help with the children’s music. I agreed to go. But the people from the church where I was attending warned me not to go because they said it was evil and it would be against God. I went anyway because I was convinced in my spirit that the Lord was working something out.
While at the party, the Lord led people to me (troubled teenagers and a few young women) to confide in me about their lives. All of them knew I was a Christian, and all of them asked me about Jesus Christ secretly. I was so happy I listened to God and had gone there!
As for the church I was attending, they asked me to leave. They said I was rebellious and not mindful of God because I didn't do what they said.
The scriptures warn us against any traditions, customs, precepts, or laws that are apart from the law of the spirit of Jesus Christ. We must always obey Christ over what man tells us. The empty traditions of men passed down through time, even those from our own forefathers or elders, do not make us holy. We may boast that we do this or boast that we do not do that, but it doesn't make us holy. Only Christ Jesus makes us holy. We can boast of him.
1 Peter 1:18-19, "Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
So with that, any traditions that we hold which have been passed down from our own parents and ancestors, or our church, are worthless if we put faith in them, if we believe their traditions sanctify us.
I raised my kids in a church that was against Halloween. They held a harvest party for the kids instead. As my kids got older, they helped me realize that I was influenced by fear of evil stemming from my childhood, which caused me to be overprotective of them. The church increased that fear by condemning other people as evil for not following after their specific beliefs.
Mark 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own traditions."
What is the commandment of God? Love God with all your heart and treat your neighbor as yourself.
A neighbor once invited me to a Christmas party at a Mormon hall. She asked if I could help decorate, help serve the guests and help with the children’s music. I agreed to go. But the people from the church where I was attending warned me not to go because they said it was evil and it would be against God. I went anyway because I was convinced in my spirit that the Lord was working something out.
While at the party, the Lord led people to me (troubled teenagers and a few young women) to confide in me about their lives. All of them knew I was a Christian, and all of them asked me about Jesus Christ secretly. I was so happy I listened to God and had gone there!
As for the church I was attending, they asked me to leave. They said I was rebellious and not mindful of God because I didn't do what they said.
1 Peter 1:18-19, "Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
So with that, any traditions that we hold which have been passed down from our own parents and ancestors, or our church, are worthless if we put faith in them, if we believe their traditions sanctify us.
I raised my kids in a church that was against Halloween. They held a harvest party for the kids instead. As my kids got older, they helped me realize that I was influenced by fear of evil stemming from my childhood, which caused me to be overprotective of them. The church increased that fear by condemning other people as evil for not following after their specific beliefs.
Mark 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own traditions."
What is the commandment of God? Love God with all your heart and treat your neighbor as yourself.
A neighbor once invited me to a Christmas party at a Mormon hall. She asked if I could help decorate, help serve the guests and help with the children’s music. I agreed to go. But the people from the church where I was attending warned me not to go because they said it was evil and it would be against God. I went anyway because I was convinced in my spirit that the Lord was working something out.
While at the party, the Lord led people to me (troubled teenagers and a few young women) to confide in me about their lives. All of them knew I was a Christian, and all of them asked me about Jesus Christ secretly. I was so happy I listened to God and had gone there!
As for the church I was attending, they asked me to leave. They said I was rebellious and not mindful of God because I didn't do what they said.
You're welcome, as teachers, parents and leaders in the christian community we need to take these opportunities to impart to the next generation the nature of the enemy and how he can work his way into our lives through gaps in our misguided thinking that are meant to be lived solely for the lord.
As Matt said so brilliantly;
Keep it up guys, great work.
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I think any public celebration or social occasion is a good opportunity to celebrate God! I saw this amazing sign in holloween colors on my Facebook page in the lawn with the subtitle- it's Halloween but grandma don't play! :
the only
ghost that
lives in
this house
is the
Holy Ghost!
If if you hand out candy and say Jesus bless you and be safe tonight, you will be taking your 5 second window of interaction to share love and God with kids and their family!
i personally wouldn't endorse dressing as ghouls goblins or even super heroes haha ... But taking that opportunity to go trick or treating with you kids in a costume which would glorify Jesus would be pretty awesome! A day when it's socially acceptable to knock on doors , and a 5 second window to say thank you for the candy! Jesus bless you so much!
the only
ghost that
lives in
this house
is the
Holy Ghost!
If if you hand out candy and say Jesus bless you and be safe tonight, you will be taking your 5 second window of interaction to share love and God with kids and their family!
i personally wouldn't endorse dressing as ghouls goblins or even super heroes haha
... But taking that opportunity to go trick or treating with you kids in a costume which would glorify Jesus would be pretty awesome! A day when it's socially acceptable to knock on doors , and a 5 second window to say thank you for the candy! Jesus bless you so much!
A
I think any public celebration or social occasion is a good opportunity to celebrate God! I saw this amazing sign in holloween colors on my Facebook page in the lawn with the subtitle- it's Halloween but grandma don't play! :
the only
ghost that
lives in
this house
is the
Holy Ghost!
If if you hand out candy and say Jesus bless you and be safe tonight, you will be taking your 5 second window of interaction to share love and God with kids and their family!
i personally wouldn't endorse dressing as ghouls goblins or even super heroes haha ... But taking that opportunity to go trick or treating with you kids in a costume which would glorify Jesus would be pretty awesome! A day when it's socially acceptable to knock on doors , and a 5 second window to say thank you for the candy! Jesus bless you so much!
the only
ghost that
lives in
this house
is the
Holy Ghost!
If if you hand out candy and say Jesus bless you and be safe tonight, you will be taking your 5 second window of interaction to share love and God with kids and their family!
i personally wouldn't endorse dressing as ghouls goblins or even super heroes haha
... But taking that opportunity to go trick or treating with you kids in a costume which would glorify Jesus would be pretty awesome! A day when it's socially acceptable to knock on doors , and a 5 second window to say thank you for the candy! Jesus bless you so much!
You sure have a lot of spiritual joy in the Lord! I see you posting encouragement and blessing all over this site. I'm glad you joined CC.
