By the Gishes
Halloween Unmasked
Halloween is a widely celebrated tradition of Western civilization whose origin dates back many centuries. Just as Halloween's celebrants wear a mask to conceal their identities, there is a mask that Halloween wears to hide its true identity. Let us see what is behind that mask.
Halloween's Origin
The origin of Halloween is connected with an early civilization of Celtic people of the British Isles and Western Europe. A religious group called Druids worshipped their god of death, Samhain, and controlled the common people's lives through the mechanism of fear. Much death, disease, and destruction came upon the Celtics as a result of the Druids and their practices. Each year on October 31, the Druids celebrated the eve of the Celtic New Year in honor of their pagan god, Samhain, in the Festival of Samhain, or Festival of Death. The Druid priests went from house to house demanding all sorts of strange foods during the Festival of Samhain to appease Samhain, and those who did not comply were cursed. That sounds like the origin of "Trick-or-Treat!" Some of the people were offered as human sacrifices during the festival.
The Druids carried large turnips, which were hollowed out and carved with faces to represent the devilish spirits upon which they relied for their power. The turnips, lighted by a candle from within, were used as lanterns for the Druids as they went from house to house at night. The Druids believed that their devilish spirits would inhabit these turnips and assist them in carrying out the spells spoken over the homes and lives of those refusing the Druids' demands. The spirit that in habited the turnip was called "Jock" and later "Jack-O-Lantern." In America the pumpkin replaced the turnip. That sounds like the origin of the "Jack-O-Lantern." In the festival the Druids sometimes wore costumes. Modern-day Halloween is nothing less than the Festival of Death with a deceptive veneer of fun, excitement, and tradition. Perhaps one reason for acceptance of this satanic holiday by those professing to be Christians is its acceptance by the Roman (Catholic) Church in order to admit pagans into its membership. The Roman Church merely invented a holiday, All Saints' Day, on November 1. October 31 then became "All Hallowmas" or "All Hallowed Eve", which was later shortened to "Halloween." I choose to call it "HELLoween."
Halloween's origins are closely connected with satanic worship and witchcraft, and this connection still remains today. Satanists and occultists recognize October 31 as their most important day, the eve of the New Year for witchcraft, and some believe witchcraft powers are at their highest potency level on this day. Sacrifices particularly occur at this time of the year. Incidents of poisoned candy and killings are no doubt one expression of satanic sacrifices.
Because of its use in the occult, satanic worship, and witchcraft, Halloween creates an open door for occult influence in people's lives and homes. Halloween's emphasis is upon fear, violence, death, witchcraft, ghosts, and devils, and children are especially influenced. The entertainment industry contributes greatly to the harmful influence of Halloween by promoting and glorifying it. Some people become involved in the occult because of the influence of Halloween and of the entertainment industry as they suggest the power and excitement of occult and violent acts.
Man's final authority in all matters of faith and practice is the Word of God, the Bible (King James 1611 Authorized Version for English-speaking people), because everyone is accountable to God and because all have been created for God's own pleasure. To bring God pleasure, each person must believe and obey God's Word.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. I Peter 4:5
If you have read the Bible often, you should surely realize that most things are either always right or always wrong. God and His Word are not neutral concerning the affairs of man. Certainly, God has something to say about Halloween in His Holy Bible. Though the word "Halloween" is not found in the Holy Scriptures, the elements and spirit of Halloween are mentioned. Because Halloween is associated with the occult, worship of devils, witchcraft, human sacrifice, and fear, the Scriptures must be searched for the Lord's thoughts and commands regarding these things.
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 18:10-13
The Lord says in these verses that He hates those who sacrifice their children (Aren't you doing this in the spirit of the law when you allow them to be influenced by the occult and to be involved in Halloween), who use occult practices to foretell the future (divination), who observe times, who cast spells (charmer), who practice witchcraft (witch or wizard), who consult with devils (familiar spirits), or who try to contact the dead (necromancer).
The Lord piano coversns against involvement with those who have familiar spirits (devils) or practice witchcraft.
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:31
The Lord commanded blip under the Mosaic law to kill those involved in witchcraft.
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:27
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Exodus 22:18
The reason for the death penalty upon those involved in witchcraft is because the influence of witchcraft and idolatry is so harmful and such practices will spread if those practicing them are not put to death.
The following account of sorcery in the New Testament is reminiscent of the Druids' dealings with the common people.
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Acts 8:9-11
Fear is a prevalent characteristic of Halloween, but the Bible declares that one who fears is being tormented and is not made perfect in love. Healthy fear for a person to have is fear of the Lord. God does not want us to fear other things, because the fear brings bondage.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6
If you are a genuine Christian (Born-again, Bible-Believing, Blood-washed), you are having fellowship with unrighteousness by observing Halloween.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. II Corinthians 6:14-18.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11.
A Christian is created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
The Lord condemns and hates the very things that make Halloween what it is. Our position should be the same and we should not have anything to do with Halloween.
Some may suggest giving the Trick-or-treaters gospel tracts instead of or in addition to candy. I do not recommend this. I believe you are opening your home and family up to the very devilish spiritual influence you are trying to avoid and giving devils ground within your home. This may even constitute an appearance of evil in which some may think that you are partaking in this ungodly festival (I Thessalonians 5:22).
Others may suggest having some alternative event instead of Halloween. Sometimes this involves some of the characteristics of Halloween (e.g., Bible character costumes) and is nothing more than attempting to "Christianize" an ungodly event. Unless this is a worship service or prayer meeting of your church, it is imitating the world and not reproving the works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). I believe it is best to have nothing to do with Halloween. Stay at home and do not answer the door, or go to a place not disturbed by the Halloweeners. This is the best witness against Halloween. Don't forget to pray for a hedge of protection for your family and others.
If you have never been born-again, that is, repented and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, you are facing a horror worse than any Halloween nightmare --- eternity in hell and the Lake of Fire. The Bible declares that all are sinners before a holy God. That means YOU are a sinner.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
Sin has a penalty. The penalty for YOUR sins is eternity in hell and the Lake of Fire.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15
You cannot be saved by your own good works (you have none), church membership, baptism, sacraments, or other works of men and the flesh.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5
There is only ONE way to God and heaven --- through God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
The Lord Jesus Christ took your place on the cross and paid for all of YOUR sins. Christ laid down His life and took it up again.
But God commendeth his love topiano coversd us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.. John 10:17
You can have forgiveness of your sins and be saved because the shed blood of Christ has satisfied God.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7
Do you want to be saved and become a child of God? Agree with God and His Word that YOU are a sinner and cannot save yourself. Be willing to repent.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
Believe with all your heart that the Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins and simply trust Christ to save you.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved. Romans 10:13