ARROWS

Halloween didn’t really have a great impact in the UK until it seems quite recently, maybe it’s that Costco now sell large mummies, and the internet has many affordable options to buy plastic gravestones for the front garden. 

When I was growing up in the 90’s, it was just a knock-on peoples doors and see if you could get a few sweets. Not many people did. But today it seems there is a lot more happening, from parties in schools to spider webs covering whole homes. 

As a choice me and my family we do not join in with anything Halloween, but many people do both including Christisns. 

I believe there are two reasons why a Christian parent would not have an issue with Halloween. These are;

1. The thought of it’s only a bit of fun nothing too bad.
2. I don’t want my child to miss out.

But is it only a bit of fun? Is it something we should know more about? 

I watched a video which was from a former witch. (lined below) This is where you will either switch off and tell me there is no such thing and its just people playing or you could check what does the bible say? 

In Acts it mentions those who practiced magic came and burned their spell books. There may reference to these practices in the bible, but this isn’t for today. 

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. 

Acts 19:19

This is one of many references in the Bible. What I want to make the point of this is real and isn’t good. To the point people had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and realised how amazing He is so they left their life of witchcraft behind to follow Jesus. 

So back to the question is this a bit of fun, or celebrating this a night of ghouls and goblins, witches and wizards is this something a family filled with the Holy spirit should be doing? 

Not only this but if you go through the facts and learn what its about, all hallows eve the night where you would dress to look good for your ancestors to come back as the spirit world is deemed to be the closest to the natural world on that night. Is that something in the bible about not seeking the dead? Maybe check out King Saul going to see a witch in 1 Samuel 28. 

It can be a bit of fun but there are people who take this seriously and what does it say to the kids? We don’t need to listen to all the bible if it seems fun for us. This is one for you to spend with the holy spirit and ask, should we do this?

The next one is the one I have heard the most. 

I know it’s not great, but I don’t want my kids to miss out. All the other kids are talking about it. 

But miss out on what? A party to celebrate death, evil, lust, witchcraft? 

Many people will replace it and do something else.  I’m on the fence here as I don’t just want to replace evil with something good, so my kids won’t miss out. But want my kids to grow in the knowledge we don’t need to try and put something in place to combat evil, we don’t need to cover the evil with light. 

Jesus has done this; evil hasn’t got a place in Heaven with God. That battle has been won on the cross and victory has been won by Jesus. 

Would a bigger testament to my kids walking back into school say they didn’t join in as they don’t submit to the world but to Jesus. They don’t need to replace evil with Good as that battle has been won and through this life, they lead with Jesus they get to see His goodness every day. 

This is a process, and a prayer point for every Christian parent. You need to find your own way. I often think I know my children are going to have to battle there will be doors open to them that will look tempting and want to bring them in and stray from God. This is a battle we all fight almost daily (sometimes hourly) 

But while they are children do I stand in the gap for them. Until they understand the power and authority they have been given from Jesus. 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

The question and challenge I want to leave with you:

Am I training my kids up every day or am I just making a party so my kids don’t miss out on a night of games and sweets?

Only you can answer this one.