Celebrating Halloween? Here's What To Kno

Why are you celebrating Halloween? 

As Christians, we are to reflect the light -- in our lives, and in our homes, the activities that we do. We're to reflect Christ. 

> We set boundaries pursuant to the Word of God. 

* How close can you get my carriage to the edge of the cliff without going over? 

Five truths about Halloween

1. This is a festive time. It started 2,000 years before Christ was, and it's rooted in pagan worship of Druids, the priestly leaders of the Celts. On October 31st, they head up a festival honoring the sun god, the lord of the dead, to fight evil spirits. 

2a. The activities involve offering a human or animal sacrifice to the god of the dead in belief that these sinful souls (those that had died during the year) that they were in a place of torment and they would be released by the sun god, if the sacrifice they offered was so pleasing to the sun god. 

2b. The Druids would offer good things to eat to these evil spirits so that the evil spirits would not do mean tricks to the people, then they would carve demonic faces on the pumpkins, and put a lit candle inside the pumpkin believing that this light would keep away the evil spirits from their homes. In some communities, they would have a bonfire, in the center of the community, believing again that this fire would drive away evil spirits and they would wear costumes to ward off the evil spirits.

3. Halloween -- these festivals -- got comingled with the church about 47 AD. When Pope Gregory III in the Catholic Church, moved the church festival from October 31st to be celebrated on November 1st and he called it All Hallows or All Saints Day. That's when the church got involved and began to observe this holiday.

4. In America, our founding fathers refused to allow this All Saints Day to be observed because they knew that it was a pagan, ungodly holiday. But somehow, as the Irish migrated over and brought this custom here, in 1900, we began to celebrate Halloween in the United States.

5. The Satanists target Christians at Halloween. The Satanist high priest said: "We enjoy the commercial exploitation of the public at Halloween. It's free publicity for us."

Scripture to study:

(1) Colossians 1:13  (2) James 4:7 (3) 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (4) 2 Timothy 2:22 (5) Ephesians 5:11

* Why do we teach our children not to smoke cigarettes or use vaping devices? We know that it's harmful to their health. It's addictive. It's not good for them. 

> We call it out. We run from it. 

So when we know the 'why' of something it makes it easier to stand against it (in this case), even if it means going against the crowd. 

Five Questoins

1. Are you praying and asking God to reveal the truths to you about Halloween?

2. Are you being intentional to know the works of darkness and to protect it from entering your home?

3. Are you testing all things? -- doing what God says is good and not partaking in darkness even the things that look fun, appear innocent, may be charitable but yet they reflect darkness. 

4. Do your fall decorations reflect the practices of the pagan god worshiped by the Celts or a fall season of things created by God for His glory?

5. Do you know the truth about Halloween and purpose to get as far away from its likeness to protect your home and your family?

Once you've made your decision about what you're going to do, anything that relates to Halloween, do you have peace in your heart about your decision relating to Halloween? There's the true test. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. 

When your heart lines up with the heart of God, you know what rests on you? It's the peace of God. When we have the peace of God, we've got the provision and protection that God affords to all of His people.