INSIDIOUS
A friend asked me about Halloween and the costume parties that come with it. I replied how the "holiday" should be avoided by Bible-believing Christians. If you noticed, I put quotes because the word is derived from "holy" and "day." There is nothing holy about Halloween which is a celebration of three Ds---death, darkness, and the devil.
Would you want death to visit you today? Would you be glad when darkness takes over your mental health? Would you believe someone whose name means "the accuser?" So why celebrate them?
Some evangelicals participate saying it's harmless fun for their kids; they don't want their kids to feel left out; or they missed out on the fun when they were kids so they're making up for lost time. Nothing is harmless about death, darkness, and the devil. It is horridly harmful as it is insidious. We do not realize the harm it does to our testimony.
We may say that we are just there for the dressing-up and treats but would non-believers make the distinction? Would our costume include a disclaimer? We invite our non-believing friends and family to celebrate the Light the World but a day out of 365, we enjoy the angel of light? If we claim to be of the Light, we should not be at a party honoring the prince of darkness even in the cutest of a princess or superhero costume. Think also of the brothers and sisters in Christ who might be stumbled. The Bible tells us to be like Jesus---forget about ourselves and always remember how our actions will affect others, especially the Father.
Instead of celebrating death, darkness, and the devil, let us busy ourselves telling others of the victory over death, of how the forces of darkness have been defeated 2000 years ago, and of the doom that awaits the devil and those who follow him.
P.S. If we really want a costume and candy party, we can do that two months later.
A friend asked me about Halloween and the costume parties that come with it. I replied how the "holiday" should be avoided by Bible-believing Christians. If you noticed, I put quotes because the word is derived from "holy" and "day." There is nothing holy about Halloween which is a celebration of three Ds---death, darkness, and the devil.
Would you want death to visit you today? Would you be glad when darkness takes over your mental health? Would you believe someone whose name means "the accuser?" So why celebrate them?
Some evangelicals participate saying it's harmless fun for their kids; they don't want their kids to feel left out; or they missed out on the fun when they were kids so they're making up for lost time. Nothing is harmless about death, darkness, and the devil. It is horridly harmful as it is insidious. We do not realize the harm it does to our testimony.
We may say that we are just there for the dressing-up and treats but would non-believers make the distinction? Would our costume include a disclaimer? We invite our non-believing friends and family to celebrate the Light the World but a day out of 365, we enjoy the angel of light? If we claim to be of the Light, we should not be at a party honoring the prince of darkness even in the cutest of a princess or superhero costume. Think also of the brothers and sisters in Christ who might be stumbled. The Bible tells us to be like Jesus---forget about ourselves and always remember how our actions will affect others, especially the Father.
Instead of celebrating death, darkness, and the devil, let us busy ourselves telling others of the victory over death, of how the forces of darkness have been defeated 2000 years ago, and of the doom that awaits the devil and those who follow him.
P.S. If we really want a costume and candy party, we can do that two months later.