An Exhortation to the Church
I Cor 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel:[d] are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
I know this is going to offend some, encourage others, and hopefully inspire some to seek God and His wisdom. The subject is Halloween and the celebration of it by proclaimed born again Christians. First, let me state that this is not a judgement. I am far from sinless and there are many areas in my life that people can point to and say "you are wrong."
I have studied the roots and history surrounding Halloween and the Samhain tradition. I have read both arguments of conservative Christians as well as non-believing historians and there are strong arguments on both sides for the root of Halloween in Samhain. I am not here to talk about Samhain.
I am here to talk about Halloween today and the past 100-200 years of it. At it's very least impact it is a celebration of fear. What does God say about fear?
Romans 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Halloween has nothing to do with the fear of the Lord so quotes stating about where wisdom starts cannot be applied here.
Halloween is also a celebration of death and the fear of it. Again let's see what God has to say about that:
Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Common sense then dictates that by celebrating death, one celebrates the devil! Don't yell at me. Talk to God about it!
Whether you think so or not, Halloween is claimed by Satanists as their high holiday or let's say un-holy day and they laugh when Christians participate in their celebration.
In the words of Paul, CHURCH WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU!!!!!!
Call it what you like, Harvest Party, outreach, whatever. It is still participating in a celebration that in no way glorifies God. It glorifies, fear, death, and ultimately Satan. Born-again Christians should have absolutely no part of it!
I have heard that it is a personal choice. True and yet hogwash. Everything is a personal choice. How can we claim to be sons and daughters of God, heirs to the truth and still send our kids to Halloween parties (some even being held in God's house) or out trick-or-treating, trunk or treating or any other sugar-coated celebration that helps you assuage your guilt? How are we different from the world? My wife talked to some visiting Muslims a few years back and they were appalled by the idea that Christians celebrated Halloween.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Am I against candy? No (except when I see my dentists' bills). Am I against costumes - only those that represent evil and darkness.
I know it is hard to swim against the flow. Especially here in the US. But Jesus has called us to do so. I am saddened that the church, the body of Christ, has become complacent in this area.
Rev 2: To the Church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants[c] to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
This has been a long post and I apologize for its length but not for its content. My prayer for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ is that you would diligently seek God on this matter and if He rebukes you, accept the rebuke, grow wiser and reject the things of darkness.
I know this is going to offend some, encourage others, and hopefully inspire some to seek God and His wisdom. The subject is Halloween and the celebration of it by proclaimed born again Christians. First, let me state that this is not a judgement. I am far from sinless and there are many areas in my life that people can point to and say "you are wrong."
I have studied the roots and history surrounding Halloween and the Samhain tradition. I have read both arguments of conservative Christians as well as non-believing historians and there are strong arguments on both sides for the root of Halloween in Samhain. I am not here to talk about Samhain.
I am here to talk about Halloween today and the past 100-200 years of it. At it's very least impact it is a celebration of fear. What does God say about fear?
Romans 8:12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Halloween has nothing to do with the fear of the Lord so quotes stating about where wisdom starts cannot be applied here.
Halloween is also a celebration of death and the fear of it. Again let's see what God has to say about that:
Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Common sense then dictates that by celebrating death, one celebrates the devil! Don't yell at me. Talk to God about it!
Whether you think so or not, Halloween is claimed by Satanists as their high holiday or let's say un-holy day and they laugh when Christians participate in their celebration.
In the words of Paul, CHURCH WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU!!!!!!
Call it what you like, Harvest Party, outreach, whatever. It is still participating in a celebration that in no way glorifies God. It glorifies, fear, death, and ultimately Satan. Born-again Christians should have absolutely no part of it!
I have heard that it is a personal choice. True and yet hogwash. Everything is a personal choice. How can we claim to be sons and daughters of God, heirs to the truth and still send our kids to Halloween parties (some even being held in God's house) or out trick-or-treating, trunk or treating or any other sugar-coated celebration that helps you assuage your guilt? How are we different from the world? My wife talked to some visiting Muslims a few years back and they were appalled by the idea that Christians celebrated Halloween.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Am I against candy? No (except when I see my dentists' bills). Am I against costumes - only those that represent evil and darkness.
I know it is hard to swim against the flow. Especially here in the US. But Jesus has called us to do so. I am saddened that the church, the body of Christ, has become complacent in this area.
Rev 2: To the Church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants[c] to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
This has been a long post and I apologize for its length but not for its content. My prayer for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ is that you would diligently seek God on this matter and if He rebukes you, accept the rebuke, grow wiser and reject the things of darkness.
Amen!
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