What about Halloween?

I’ve been in a lively discussion with other pastors on social media lately about Halloween — should we celebrate it, ignore it, or avoid it altogether?

The answer is both NO … and YES.

Let me explain.

It’s true that Halloween has deep spiritual roots that tie back to darkness. Some of its traditions stem from the night before All Saints’ Day and other ancient pagan rituals. For those who follow Satanism or the occult, Halloween is indeed considered a high holy day — a time for unholy, demonic celebration.

As followers of Jesus, we should have nothing to do with that.

Here’s what the Bible says about such things:

  • Leviticus 19:26–31 – Don’t eat blood or practice divination, soothsaying, ritual mutilation, or consult with mediums or familiar spirits.
  • Deuteronomy 18:10–11 – Stay away from child sacrifice, witchcraft, sorcery, spell casting, consulting spirits, or participating in séances.
  • Jeremiah 27:9–10 – Don’t listen to false prophets, diviners, dream interpreters, soothsayers, or sorcerers.
  • Galatians 5:20 – Sorcery is listed among behaviors that are contrary to the Holy Spirit.
  • Micah 5:12–14 – God promises to destroy sorcerers, idols, and objects of devil worship. It’s wise to keep anything like that far from your home.

So, if your Halloween celebration includes any of those things — even a little bit — then the answer is a firm NO.
And honestly, we shouldn’t engage in those things any day of the year.

However…

If your family’s Halloween looks more like this — dressing up in fun costumes, enjoying candy, attending a church harvest event, or watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — then by all means, enjoy it!

Just remember: as you go, bring the light of Christ with you.
Smile. Be kind. Use the opportunity to connect with your neighbors. Share the hope of Jesus in the middle of a night that the world often gives over to darkness.

Let’s redeem the day, not retreat from it.

👉 Check out my earlier post on this topic: [Halloween on Mission]

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