About Halloween
Halloween started as a Celtic occult holiday. Costumes were worn and jack-o-lanterns displayed for protection against evil spirits (“Why Do We Wear Costumes on Halloween?” IrishMyths, 10/4/22, “How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth,” History.com, updated 10/10/25) Yet most people in America do not practice the occult, devil worship, or witchcraft. Perhaps not knowing or caring about the origins of these traditions, they may carve pumpkins, wear costumes, or put out scary displays just for fun.
Still, given Halloween’s roots, some may think a Christian should not participate in it. Yet Halloween is an American tradition that is not going away. Too many people enjoy it, and it is without doubt a huge source of revenue for retailers. It also doesn’t need to have an evil orientation, so Christian kids don’t need to miss the fun. It can be a God-honoring, wholesome, enjoyable time. Christians can also pass out gospel literature along with candy, which is an easy way to share the gospel.
As for occult practices, though, the Bible speaks clearly against them. God warned the Israelites:
“When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire (child sacrifice as part of idol worship), 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.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
Idol worship is really devil worship, as the passage below says. Sadly, Israel even practiced it:
“They (Israel) did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.” (Psalm 106:34-38)
As for the devil, some may think he is just a make-believe character. Yet the Bible makes it clear he does exist. It describes his identity. He was an angel called Lucifer at first, but he became proud and wanted honor that belongs only to God. He and the angels who followed him were expelled from heaven:
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)
Luke 8:11-12 also tells Satan’s objective: not for people to become witches or occultists, but for them not to receive Jesus as Saviour: “Those by the way side are they that hear (the word of God); then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
Revelation 20:10 tells Satan’s final end: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Yet Jesus died to save us from the lake of fire. To see how to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 10/22/2025
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 216/671-2822