thats pretty encouraging Laura
Thanks heaps! All glory goes to the Lord of an educative learned discussion that continues to unfold where experiences and outlooks can be shared to inspire others to Christ.
Celebrating Halloween, is it wrong or not a big deal?
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Thanks heaps! All glory goes to the Lord of an educative learned discussion that continues to unfold where experiences and outlooks can be shared to inspire others to Christ.
Gandalf, like Tinker said, God knows our hearts and intents. It is HOW we celebrate a holiday that matters. Not WHY. Halloween doesn't have to be about dressing up like witches or ghosts, nor does it have to be about scoring alot of candy. One user here said that he has his candy and GOSPEL TRACTS ready to give out to trick r treaters tonight. THAT should speak for itself as to how halloween CAN glorify God.
Oh look I found a poll done by the American Family association's news room. Just as I was expecting. Few pastors will tell church members to skip Halloween
That was one of the questions on the table, one of this topic's major themes. It can either be a hard or liberating one to pose though, as it invites honest self reflection, still, necessary for our walk with Christ.
LOL For a minute I thought ur gonna tell me I cant do any work for our Lord. phew. Yeah she needs a time mashine for sure. 2000+ years back that the Lord can tell her himself that he calls us all at his time, into his services at his will.
I think most of the responders on this thread have done a lot of honest self reflection, and have come up with their "stance" on this holiday.
It would be nice if every decision we had to make as believers was simply black or white. Unfortunately, that is not the way things are. In fact, that's very much the way the Old Law works..... a hard, fast rule for everything.
Jesus brought the new law to us, which is a law of principles, not rules. There is a lot of room for differing beliefs and understandings, which was made clear to us through many scriptures about following/not violating our conscience.
Celebrating a holiday that had its roots in paganism, but is not celebrated that way in modern times is certainly one of those decisions of conscience.
It's not black or white.
It would be nice if every decision we had to make as believers was simply black or white. Unfortunately, that is not the way things are. In fact, that's very much the way the Old Law works..... a hard, fast rule for everything.
Jesus brought the new law to us, which is a law of principles, not rules. There is a lot of room for differing beliefs and understandings, which was made clear to us through many scriptures about following/not violating our conscience.
Celebrating a holiday that had its roots in paganism, but is not celebrated that way in modern times is certainly one of those decisions of conscience.
It's not black or white.
M
masmpg
Guest
If we follow the bible like Christians profess to do we will see how black and white God is. We are told in Philippians:4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Halloween does not fit into this category. If you think that you can dress up your children in demon outfits or even angels for that matter and and be thinking on the good things of God, think again. We are told by Paul in Ephesians:4:4-6: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." To consider more ways than one to enter into the kingdom consider what Jesus said to the pharisees about the sheep fold John:10:1: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
To profess ignorance of something just because its roots are history is no excuse for following satanic rituals. Halloween is still celebrated ritualistically by witches and druids of today. Paul also tells us in Acts:17:30: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" I do not argue with you but to promote an obviously satanic celebration is obviously not doing what Jesus said in Matthew:4:4: "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
God bless
Handing out halloween candy, dressing up and trick or treating, or even going to a halloween party is NOT pagan or wrong.. Now if we all did satanic blood sacrifices on halloween, then THAT would be pagan and celebrating halloween in the spirit of evil.
I like the example of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego (forgive spelling, I'm in bed using my phone with no autocorrect).
When the king ordered for everyone to bow down to his image, they refused and remained standing.
The act of bowing itself is not bad. People can bow for no reason. These guys could have bowed and reasoned within them that they're bowing down to the God of Israel, just doing it on the same day as the rest bowing down to another god. But they didn't and that tells us something.
When the king ordered for everyone to bow down to his image, they refused and remained standing.
The act of bowing itself is not bad. People can bow for no reason. These guys could have bowed and reasoned within them that they're bowing down to the God of Israel, just doing it on the same day as the rest bowing down to another god. But they didn't and that tells us something.
It's a 'grey area only' because we mix good with evil and bring human reasoning into the teaching of God....He calls that 'pollution and perversion.
Apparently people have never read scripture telling us to 'put difference between holy and unholy.
Friend, we are not going to be judged according to our conscience , (that may work for the ignorant )but on the word of God ! which most on these forums are not ignorant of. They are simply rebellious wanting their own way .
A
AuntieAnt
Guest
Walking in the flesh means living by our own understanding of what is right in our own eyes. Religious leaders in Jesus’ time did that. Jesus had to use parables because plain truth fell on their deaf ears. They couldn’t argue with Jesus’ parables because they were perplexed by them. They didn’t know how to answer him.
Only those who listen with their hearts can “hear” what Jesus is saying.
Remember how Jesus would ask in agitation, “How long must I be with you? When will you believe me?” People try to understand him with their carnal minds, with their intellect. It’s easy for any man to understand obedience. Anyone can claim, “I know not to do that thing.” That is not spiritual renewal. That’s just following orders. The whole world follow orders every day.
But those who are born of the spirit have not changed themselves; the Lord has changed their hearts and given them his own mind. He has placed the Spirit of Jesus Christ within them. When God changes a man, it would make no sense for that man to boast to the world how good and obedient he is. He would know in his heart and proclaim to the world how, in spite of his weak flesh, Jesus Christ alone gives him light and life. People would see Jesus alive in him, and not the man’s good efforts. That man would literally be a testimony of the living God.
The lost in the world cannot be won to Christ by a man preaching about himself and his own good works. The lost are won to God by Christ Jesus alive in a man. That man would never boast about how good he is, but boast only of Christ Jesus.
Every day is holy unto the Lord because God himself is holy. Man’s traditions and “sacred” holidays are wood, hay and stubble. They are literally meaningless. But in the world they are opportunities for God to reach man’s hearts. Neither Jesus nor the disciples went around condemning folks and commanding them to obey. They spread the good news that God the Father loves, forgives, heals, and shines his light in the darkness of this world. And people were drawn to God's love and forgiveness, were renewed with hope, and were compelled to follow Jesus. They joyfully followed hard after the Lord, like a deer panting for water! They didn't follow out of fear.
The world can easily recognize a counterfeit Christian because they see no love or mercy in that man (or woman). The lost are repelled by Christians bragging how much better they are than others. But the lost will recognize something different, something more than ordinary, something supernatural in a man.
We are not called to go around condemning others and boasting about ourselves. We are called to DIE to ourselves, to our own intellect, to our pride, and to surrender our minds to the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Paul called all the accomplishments that brought him glory as “dung” because it wasn’t giving Christ all the glory. Every time we lift ourselves up, we are hindering the world from seeing God. All they see is a religious person boasting about himself. They cannot see Christ Jesus lifted up.
If you are dead to yourself, you have nothing to boast about except Jesus Christ. Every day is holy to the man who God has called and redeemed for his own purpose. God himself will exalt his name through that vessel and make that man holy. Because the hearts of people in this world aren't looking for you or me ~ they’re looking for God!
Only those who listen with their hearts can “hear” what Jesus is saying.
Remember how Jesus would ask in agitation, “How long must I be with you? When will you believe me?” People try to understand him with their carnal minds, with their intellect. It’s easy for any man to understand obedience. Anyone can claim, “I know not to do that thing.” That is not spiritual renewal. That’s just following orders. The whole world follow orders every day.
But those who are born of the spirit have not changed themselves; the Lord has changed their hearts and given them his own mind. He has placed the Spirit of Jesus Christ within them. When God changes a man, it would make no sense for that man to boast to the world how good and obedient he is. He would know in his heart and proclaim to the world how, in spite of his weak flesh, Jesus Christ alone gives him light and life. People would see Jesus alive in him, and not the man’s good efforts. That man would literally be a testimony of the living God.
The lost in the world cannot be won to Christ by a man preaching about himself and his own good works. The lost are won to God by Christ Jesus alive in a man. That man would never boast about how good he is, but boast only of Christ Jesus.
Every day is holy unto the Lord because God himself is holy. Man’s traditions and “sacred” holidays are wood, hay and stubble. They are literally meaningless. But in the world they are opportunities for God to reach man’s hearts. Neither Jesus nor the disciples went around condemning folks and commanding them to obey. They spread the good news that God the Father loves, forgives, heals, and shines his light in the darkness of this world. And people were drawn to God's love and forgiveness, were renewed with hope, and were compelled to follow Jesus. They joyfully followed hard after the Lord, like a deer panting for water! They didn't follow out of fear.
The world can easily recognize a counterfeit Christian because they see no love or mercy in that man (or woman). The lost are repelled by Christians bragging how much better they are than others. But the lost will recognize something different, something more than ordinary, something supernatural in a man.
We are not called to go around condemning others and boasting about ourselves. We are called to DIE to ourselves, to our own intellect, to our pride, and to surrender our minds to the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Paul called all the accomplishments that brought him glory as “dung” because it wasn’t giving Christ all the glory. Every time we lift ourselves up, we are hindering the world from seeing God. All they see is a religious person boasting about himself. They cannot see Christ Jesus lifted up.
If you are dead to yourself, you have nothing to boast about except Jesus Christ. Every day is holy to the man who God has called and redeemed for his own purpose. God himself will exalt his name through that vessel and make that man holy. Because the hearts of people in this world aren't looking for you or me ~ they’re looking for God!
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M
masmpg
Guest
I agree. Halloween is hard to hide from our vulnerable children. Most of the denominations I have been involved with did exactly what you are referring to by having some sort of fun night for the children with Jesus NOT satan.
W
wwjd_kilden
Guest
Some of the Churches (and also non- Christian organizations) in Norway are arranging Hallo-venn (Hallo = hello, venn = friend), as an alternative celebration
I don't know if it's a New York thing but halloween seems to have died a death the last couple of years because I've seen no hype. I'm here at college and no one is dressed, honestly no one cares about hallowen anymore from what I know unless they have children. I doubt it has to do with any of their moral or religious beliefs. It's a regular day with some offices decorated.
M
masmpg
Guest
I have noticed that over the years with all holidays. Thanksgiving is the only one I celebrate. Christmas, and easter have died off immensely too. It could have a lot tot do with the economy. I use to sell on e bay but sales have dropped off so much it has become hard to make any money. People are broke, and too scared to admit it. I even asked e bay years back about their sales and they told me they were increasing, but I don't believe that.
Apparently "Halloween" is the name of a holiday that has pagan roots even though the practices are nothing like pagans use to do. I have a solution.
Today, I'm inviting everyone to celebrate a new holiday that I'm creating. Every October 31st, I will now be celebrating "Hallowean"... not to be mistaken with "Halloween". Apparently one has pagan roots and the other was created just today, by me.
Hallowean is a day where people fellowship with their friends and family, go door-to-door in hopes of delicious yums yums, all the while dressing up in costumes (these aren't pagan rituals no matter how much someone tries to twist this). Now we all have a holiday to celebrate that has no ties to paganism... Pagans can't claim an entire day either, so if you make the argument "But it's still celebrated on the 31st of October" then all a pagan has to due is just declare every day a holiday and then we run out of days to celebrate stuff...
Anyways, I invite you all to have fun and celebrate the 1st annual Hallowean!
Today, I'm inviting everyone to celebrate a new holiday that I'm creating. Every October 31st, I will now be celebrating "Hallowean"... not to be mistaken with "Halloween". Apparently one has pagan roots and the other was created just today, by me.
Hallowean is a day where people fellowship with their friends and family, go door-to-door in hopes of delicious yums yums, all the while dressing up in costumes (these aren't pagan rituals no matter how much someone tries to twist this). Now we all have a holiday to celebrate that has no ties to paganism... Pagans can't claim an entire day either, so if you make the argument "But it's still celebrated on the 31st of October" then all a pagan has to due is just declare every day a holiday and then we run out of days to celebrate stuff...
Anyways, I invite you all to have fun and celebrate the 1st annual Hallowean!
J
jaybird88
Guest
do you think the Father revealed Himself to the Jews/Christians and only them? who was on that unnamed shrine that Paul was talking about? in native american cultures a great teacher went to all the tribes with a message to turn from the path they were on and get back on the one to the creator. this man traveled with disciples, was not native american, did miracles, and healed people. wonder who He was? and who were the "other sheep" Jesus said He had to go to?
there is a big difference between lost, fallen away, and all out rebelling against the Father.