Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 (NRSV)

Every year I truly wonder what many believers in Jesus are thinking during October.  Seems that all sense of holiness disappears in a blatant flaunting of evil and celebration of death.  It has invaded our culture, our churches and out lives through Halloween.

This time of year is suppose to be a glorious time of Harvest and remembrance of the provision and abundance of our God ; a time to reflect on our relationship with Him and how good He is to us and how He has cared for our families, cities, states and our nation. It is suppose to be a celebration of life abundant. Instead as we go about our business we are greeted with witches, black cats, skeletons and myriads of grotesque and evil images, grave stones, ghosts and goblins.  It is there because Christians have let it take a foothold and even participate in it.

Unbelievers are not to be blamed for promoting evil, they don't know any better. To me the real problem is that the evil portrayed during October is more and more permeating the lives of those who profess to be believers in Christ Jesus. The excuse for celebrating evil that I hear all too often is this celebration of evil and death is just for fun or parents celebrate for the children.

This sounds good, but I say Hogwash! There is no excuse for any person who loves Jesus as their Lord and Savior to participate in evil for any reason. Of course we are not perfect and we sin, but there is a difference between struggling to fight off temptation and willfully sinning. Choosing to participate in Halloween is willful sinning and there are consequences for such a rebellious act.

There is no debate scripturally about October 31st celebrations... plain and simple they are evil and the Lord condones nothing evil for His church. This pagan holiday opens the door for satan to torment you and your family and it most assuredly is not a thing that anyone should expose their children to. Read these scriptures below... It is very clear that believers are not to imitate evil. Not for fun, not for entertainment for children, not to apease peer pressure at work. These are just a few of the scriptures that deal with evil things like Halloween.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Romans 12:9 (NRSV)

Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14 - 15 (NRSV)

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8 - 9 (NRSV)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 (NRSV)

For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.1 Peter 2:15 - 16 (NRSV)

For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19 - 20 (NRSV)

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.John 3:19 - 21 (NRSV)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is important that you do not come into agreement with evil. It is important that you set an example of holiness and lovingly explain why you do not participate in Halloween to questioners.

The Devil wants to  get Christians to agree with him, the more entrenched the evil becomes in the Christian camp the more it can spread in the secular realms.  Especially if you are a prayer warrior or in leadership in the church, you must take a stand against the infiltration of occult, witchcraft, sorcery, and the celebration of evil and death in every form. Until we root out every vestige of pagan celebrations, such as the one on October 31st or the Day of the Dead,  from the church and teach all believers the truth about this time of year, we will see gross darkness every October instead of joyous celebration of the goodness of God.

It is important that you repent if you have been complacent toward evil. Repent if you have participated in any activities celebrating Halloween or the Day of the Dead. Ask for the Lord's forgiveness and then renounce your participation. Then don't take the kids trick or treating, don't put up Jack- o- lanterns , black cats and skeletons or ghosts. Don't participate in Day of the Dead parties or vigils. Be the light you have been called to be. Share the truth about the evil of these days with your family, church friends and others that you know love the Lord.

Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.(Isaiah 60:1-3)

If we as believers can come into unity and agree in prayer that there is no place for evil  in our territory (the church and our families), then we can storm the gates of hell and begin to help the pagans and heathens get free through salvation. If we stand together whole cities can be redeemed. We should be sharing the good news of Christ with all who will listen. Remember "Where darkness abounds, His grace abounds that much more!"

Instead of evil symbols, use pumpkins (not carved) and gourds for harvest displays. Be joyful and upbeat about celebrating the bounties of God. Hold church events. It is a good thing to have a Harvest celebration as an alternative. Open your church campus or your home to the children and their families. Love on them and share the Good News. Be a peaceful, joyous, loving safe-haven where no evil is celebrated and watch the Holy Spirit change lives.

Don't religiously condemn people... Embrace those who don't understand the evil of Halloween by being a role model and providing an alternative.

The Kingdom of God is Righteous, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.  Throw in lots of God's love and you will win many to the Lord... even during October.

ShalomCheryl