What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?

Halloween is a complex holiday with pagan, Christian, and secular influences in its history and modern celebrations. As Christians seek to navigate this cultural phenomenon, it’s important to examine what the Bible teaches about related themes and apply those principles thoughtfully. Here are some key biblical considerations regarding Halloween:

Warnings Against the Occult

The Bible clearly forbids involvement in occultic practices:

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV)

Since Halloween has roots in ancient pagan festivals and is still celebrated by some neo-pagan groups today, Christians should be cautious about any activities that could be seen as endorsing or participating in the occult. This may include avoiding costumes of witches, ghosts, demons, or other spiritually dark imagery.

See also: Bible Verses about Halloween

Glorifying Evil vs. Mocking It

Scripture teaches that evil should not be celebrated:

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20 (ESV)

Some Halloween decorations and costumes glorify violence, death, and frightening creatures in ways that could be seen as making light of evil. However, others argue that the playful, mock-scary nature of much Halloween revelry is actually making fun of evil and demonstrating that Christians need not fear dark forces.

Engaging Culture as Salt and Light

Jesus called believers to be “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Paul encouraged Christians to “make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5). For some, this may mean using Halloween as a chance to build relationships with neighbors and demonstrate Christ’s love in practical ways.

Freedom in Christ

Romans 14 teaches that in disputable matters, Christians have freedom to follow their conscience as guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul writes, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5). This principle could apply to Halloween participation.

Alternative Celebrations

Some churches offer fall festivals or “Reformation Day” events as alternatives to typical Halloween activities. These seek to provide family-friendly fun while focusing on positive themes. The Bible encourages believers to “set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2) rather than worldly celebrations.

Wisdom in Cultural Engagement

Scripture calls Christians to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16) in engaging with the world. Believers should thoughtfully consider how their Halloween practices may be perceived by both fellow Christians and non-believers in their community.

Evangelistic Opportunities

Halloween is one of the few times of the year when neighbors actively come to one’s door. Some Christians see this as a unique opportunity for hospitality and even evangelism. Passing out Gospel tracts along with candy or hosting neighborhood events can be ways to shine Christ’s light.

Focus on Eternal Matters

Ultimately, the Bible encourages believers to keep an eternal perspective: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). Getting too caught up in debates over cultural practices like Halloween can distract from more important spiritual priorities.

As believers seek to apply biblical wisdom to Halloween, here are some practical suggestions:

• Pray for discernment about how God would have you approach the holiday
• Study Scripture and seek counsel from mature Christians
• Be respectful of other believers who may have different convictions
• Look for ways to be a light in your neighborhood, perhaps by passing out the best candy with a smile
• Consider hosting an alternative event focused on harvest themes or Reformation history
• Use it as a teaching opportunity for children about discernment and engaging culture
• Find creative ways to share the hope of the Gospel with trick-or-treaters
• Focus more on building relationships than on the holiday’s darker themes

Halloween provides a unique opportunity for Christians to thoughtfully engage their culture while standing firm in their faith. With prayer and biblical wisdom, believers can navigate this complex issue in a way that glorifies God.

Conclusion

Halloween presents a complex issue for Christians, with no one-size-fits-all answer. While the Bible doesn’t directly address Halloween, it provides principles to guide our decisions. As believers, we’re called to honor God, avoid evil, and love our neighbors. Each Christian must prayerfully consider how to approach Halloween in a way that aligns with their faith and convictions. Whether participating, abstaining, or finding alternative ways to engage, the goal should be to glorify God and shine His light in our communities.