Halloween

I decided to take a little break from my judging posts.  Don't worry, they will continue.  I have much more to share on that topic.  However, this week many children will be celebrating a day known as Halloween.  Surprisingly this is one of those "touchy" areas amongst Christians.  Should we participate or not? I'm not going to get into that debate right now because I think this one is a no-brainer.  Romans 12:9 does a pretty good job of dealing with the issue.  Just remember it's not about what we "feel" is right or what we "want" to do, it's about what the Bible says is right!


My question is this... what can the Christian do to bring glory to God on Halloween?  Last week I was lamenting to my Mom about how much a hated halloween, and how I thought it was an evil, wicked day.  She brought up something that stopped me right in my tracks.  She said,
"Jessica, God created October 31st just the same as He created every other day.  What does the Bible say?  This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24).  


We shouldn't hate a day.  The Christian should praise God for October 31st just the same as we praise God for every other day that He gives us to serve Him, and halloween presents some splendid opportunities for evangelizing.  This year again at my church we will be taking to the streets and passing out gospel tracts on October 31st. Think about it.  Halloween night EVERY single door in the community is open.  The main thing that discourages people from passing out tracts door to door is the fear that they will get the door slammed in their faces.  That simply won't happen on halloween night.  If you're nervous about passing out tracts October 31st is probably the best night to start.  You won't be rejected, people won't laugh at you, no one will be mad because you interrupted their supper, and no one is going to slam a door in your face because they are all expecting to have people come to their house.  


There are so many creative things a Christian can do to be a good testimony on halloween.  Many Christians pass out candy to children with gospel tracts attached to it.  What a great idea!  Just think of the homes that the Word of God is going to get into.  A lot of people who get those tracts would never step foot into a church to hear the Bible preached, but that little gospel tract is now in their house, and someone just might read it.   Another great idea for this night is to have a prayer service.  Prayer is a powerful tool that Christians have, and devoting a whole evening to praying for your community will go far in assisting evangelization efforts.


One thing I'm not in favour of on halloween as a Christian, is trying to substitute something at church in place of trick or treating.  Many churches will have a harvest party or a dress up night on October 31st for the children.  I can see why they may think this is good.  It keeps kids off the street, and gives them a safe environment to have fun in.  It also helps the children not to feel left out when all their friends are getting candy.  It's not the candy and the costumes that are the problem, it's the appearance of holding a "halloween" party in a church.  By copying the world we do a disservice to our testimony (I John 2:15-16).  Christians are to stand apart from the world, and offering "substitutes" to worldly activities just opens up the door to bring the world into the church.  Our mandate as Christians is not to bring the world into our church, but go into the world and win them from Christ (Mark 16:15).  Children do love dressing up and getting candy, but this should not be associated with halloween.  There are 364 other days a year when a church could have a dress up party for children and not be perceived as participating in a worldly activity.  Let's be wise as Christians and not give the world an opportunity to mock our faith (I Cor. 10:23).


This Sunday night I'll be giving out tracts to children in my community.  I would LOVE it if I heard of more Christians doing this, and I invite those Christians who read my blog to use this day to bring glory to God instead of just going along with the rest of the world and glorifying evil.  Let's stand up and be counted for Christ and make a difference in some lives by giving them what they need most... the gospel!


Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...