Halloween-A Call to Separate from Darkness

In keeping with the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, and His mandate to teach and obey all things commanded, we will cover a topic that is urgently needed in the church today.

Understanding the Scriptures

Please turn with me to:

[Deu 18:9-13 KJV]

9 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.

10 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,

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 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.

13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

[Exo 22:18 KJV]

18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

[Lev 19:31 KJV]

31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

[Lev 20:27 KJV]

27 A man 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.

From these verses in the Old Testament, we see that the heart of Father God is against witches, wizards, evil spirits, and necromancy. God hates these practices.

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, we find similar definitions of evil, but in Greek terminology. Words like sorcery, demons, devils, and evil spirits are prevalent. This language is used throughout the New Testament, and these practices are also an abomination to Father God. So, how does God the Son feel about these matters? Where does Jesus the King stand?

Let’s turn to the New Testament and examine a general policy that Apostle Paul established regarding the church's affiliation with unbelievers. The context of this passage is typically applied to marriage, business ventures, and other bonded arrangements. But, notice the argumentation Paul gives for avoiding these sort relationships. Look at the items that he brings up. Holidays like Halloween and Mardi Gras involve these same elements of darkness. Are we to affiliate with this? Would you invite Jesus to celebrate these holidays?

Please turn to:

[2Co 6:14-18 KJV]

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 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.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Based on these passages in the Old and New Testaments, both Father God and God the Son are against these abominations: horoscopes, mediums, charms, and associations with darkness, devils, ghosts, and necromancy. Even a tacit affiliation with these practices impacts God's heart. What is that impact? It creates feelings of betrayal because these are abominations in God's view.

Questions for Reflection

1. Are we not kingdom citizens? Does God dwell in us? What is His policy towards affiliation with darkness—separation or appeasement? Is it not clear in 2 Corinthians? Is a policy not a command?

2. Which is the more difficult task: preaching about Hell or discussing an American holiday in October filled with these same items we just read about?

   
   

Many faithful pastors preach about Hell and separation from bars, dance clubs, and darker places in society. Yet, when it comes to an honest discussion about Halloween, they often run for cover. Like a secret idol, they won’t even mention it from the pulpit. This is sin! It is a great hypocrisy in the church and a disservice to God. We have a mandate to cover all topics that impact godliness!

An Honest Discussion About Halloween

The Origins of Halloween

Where did it come from? The term "Samhain" means “November” in the old Irish tongue. This Satanic holiday immigrated here from both the Celtic Nations and the Catholic Empire. In fairness, the Catholic Empire chose to appease the holiday by renaming it “All Saints Day” and moving it to November 1st.

Thus, the name merged and became “Hallowed Eve,” or Halloween. Its origins began with abominable practices, which we see displayed on front porches across America: witches, spirits, grave scenes, and darkness in general. The goal is to win the hearts of children with emotions and candy, associating neighborly fellowship with darkness. This approach aims to make the next generation cozy with things that God hates, forcing parents to rationalize and go along with the ritual.

The Celts believed that at sundown on October 31st, the doorway between the living and the dead was open, allowing evil spirits to be appeased. This involved costumes to look like them, sacrifices, and family celebrations—paying homage to evil spirits and forming concord with them to avoid misfortune in the coming year.

The Reaction of Biblically Sound Churches

What was the reaction of biblically sound churches in early America? Initially, they railed against Halloween and preached separation from it. However, this stance shifted to appeasement, leading to the renaming of the holiday to a Harvest Fest, conveniently falling on October 31st. Harvest Fests traditionally had nothing to do with Halloween, as the holiday was not in America at that time (circa 1910). These fests typically occurred between September and November, but not necessarily on October 31st. The 31st became an established fest in an effort to appease those celebrating Halloween. Children were taught appeasement instead of God’s command to "separate" from this “abomination.”

Early immigration from Ireland and parts of England brought Samhain to America. The Catholic Empire also repackaged it as “All Saints Day.” Mexico has since added a second day of appeasement to our calendar called Dia del Morte/Day of the Dead (Nov. 1-2). This includes sugar skulls, candy devils, and all sorts of Halloween-like items for children.

The born-again church across America initially opposed Halloween when it was introduced. However, profiteers have since tried to make it more palatable to the church by adding friendlier faces and secular themes to costumes, making it a silly, kid-friendly holiday—an act of appeasement. The fact remains that this holiday’s origins and purpose are to make affiliation with darkness acceptable, even to the church. The goal is to win the youth of the next generation to participate, turning children against their parents if they don’t join in. This creates feelings of guilt if they don’t participate, all while "pressing them into the world’s mold," breaking God’s heart and corrupting His church. Remember, appeasement is participation!

Questions for Consideration

1. If you knew nothing about Halloween and walked the streets adorned with decorations, what would you conclude?

2. Could we honestly invite Jesus to this holiday?

   
   

So, right now, everyone in this room has a struggle within their heart. Some may be angry that this topic was brought up. Others may feel neutral. Jesus is actively observing your thoughts right now. His spirit is here, all around us, in this room. What does He see?

It is the Bishop’s job to warn people a month ahead of time about Halloween, is it not? It is the Bishop’s responsibility to caution against participation in this abomination.

My Purpose Today

My sermon today is not meant to punish anyone or cause division within the church. My purpose is to create a division between the church and a holiday filled with things that are an abomination to God. Today, I aim to follow the Great Commission, and its command to teach, and obey the commands of King Jesus.

I will state from the pulpit that I will not support any form of appeasement regarding Halloween. My family and I stand with King Jesus on this point. I will also not cast stones at anyone here who disagrees with my position, but I implore you to reconsider!

I want you to see Halloween for what it is, allowing you to make a choice this October. I will not pick on you, nor do I want fingers pointed at anyone in here. I want each of us to face God at the end of October and let Him know what your choice will be.

The Two Choices

There are only two choices in the verses we just read:

1. Participation/Appeasement as commanded by the world.

2. Separation as commanded by God.

   
   

There is no neutral ground. No tree to hide behind in the garden. You will need to make a choice and then face God with your decision this October.

I leave you with these two verses:

[Gal 4:16 KJV]

16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

[Jhn 15:18-22 KJV]

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying unto you, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.