Am I Glorifying God this Halloween?
The Halloween discussions are underway, and as Christians we must take care to communicate carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully our convictions on Halloween. This FREE Halloween Scripture Study will help you do just that.
Halloween is just around the corner, and this means your Facebook feed is about to light up with “discussions” about whether or not Christians should participate in Halloween or not.
In anything where the Bible isn’t totally black and white, there will be discussions, divisions, and controversy.
Heck, there’s discussion, division, and controversy in areas the Bible is actually pretty clear…
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we communicate our Christian beliefs to others.
Both the beliefs that are central to the gospel message and those that we should classify as Christian liberties.
What I mean is that there are some things that are just non-negotiable when it comes to the Bible. Actually, a lot of it probably is, but there are areas that for one it will be sin and another it will not be.
This is hard and frustrating and why it couldn’t just be clear cut for everyone, I don’t know. But that’s the way God chose to do it.
And it’s our job as Christians to know the difference between the two.
It’s our job to know where we need to be firm in our stance, and where we need to be tender and open to the diversity within the body of Christ.
As women we were made to give life, but how we do that will be unique to each and every one of us.
We have the same mission (Matthew 28:19-20), but we all have different gifts (Romans 12:6), and it’s important that we seek God for His will for our part in the mission of carrying the gospel to the nations.
I want you to be intentional and to know why you do what you do.
Even more than knowing why…
I want you to be able to communicate your reasons to others in a spirit of love.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” ~Ephesians 4:15-16 (my emphasis added)
As women we were made to give life.
We were made to give life with our words, actions, and attitudes for the purpose of building up the body of Christ…
For the purpose of drawing others to Jesus…
For the purpose of offering a glimpse of the goodness of God…
Are you building up the body of Christ with your words, actions, and attitudes with your discussions about Halloween?
We all have opinions that we share over the water cooler or in the nursing moms room at church. Facebook rants statuses are included here.
Halloween happens to be highly controversial and at the same time, it is an opportunity.
It is an opportunity to give life no matter what your stance on Halloween happens to be.
To do this, you need to slow down and take time to think about why you believe what you believe about Halloween AND how you can communicate this belief in a way that builds up the body of Christ, draws people to Him, and brings glory to Him alone.
I’m right there with the next woman who likes to “tell it like it is.”
I’m not afraid to speak the truth, but I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t matter how bold you are, it’s wrong if you communicate in arrogance and pride.
And sometimes, we do this without even realizing it.
Early in my marriage, my husband and I hit conflict that we couldn’t resolve. We called another couple to our home and asked them to help us.
As our friends listened, the man looked at me and said, “Leigh Ann, everything you’re telling Mark is exactly what he needs to hear. But sister, your tone sucks.“
Wow.
That was hard to hear, but it was exactly what I needed to hear.
And it changed the course of my marriage in a twinkling of an eye.
Wisdom in the Bible is usually spoken of in the female sense. I believe as women, God has gifted us with a bent toward wisdom. Many women I know can discern and assess a situation quickly, and even correctly.
But again, no matter how wise you are, if your tone sucks, no one will listen.
We are called to communicate with others in a spirit of love, gentleness, and respect.
Sure it takes a little more time to communicate this way, and sometimes a frank word is needed.
But still…a frank word can be expressed with love, gentleness, and respect.
Always respect.
Whatever your stance on Halloween, it is my prayer that you would be a woman who chooses to communicate in a spirit of love, gentleness, and respect.
That you would be a woman willing to go the extra mile with those who may disagree with your stance as you seek to build up the body of Christ.
Have I said that enough yet?
Our world is perishing, the night is getting darker, and our witness must get better!
We must stop sharing our opinions to be right, or to be heard, and start sharing our opinions in the context of relationship for the glory of God and the building up of the body of Christ.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” ~James 3:13-18 (my emphasis added)
Perhaps you’re still on the fence about Halloween. Perhaps you have no idea why you’ve chosen to participate or not. Perhaps you need to simply spend some time contemplating your defense and lay before the Lord your heart for molding.
Halloween is a great opportunity to be a light in the dark no matter how you choose to participate.
Therefore, I created a short scripture study for you to print off and use during your Bible study time.
Regardless of what you choose this Halloween, remember … you were made to give life.
How can you give life through your words, actions, and attitudes in the coming weeks?
This is what I want to help you with!
Enter your email address below, and I’ll send it right over.
It is my prayer that each of us will consider how we can be salt and light this Halloween.
Regardless of what you choose this Halloween (because I believe there is no “right” way), I beg you to remember that God has “made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47).
As you dress up, stay home, hand out candy, or turn off your porch light, do so with His glory in mind. Don’t die on the hill of your opinion, but instead share the truth (hope of the gospel) in love so as to build up the body of Christ and give grace to those who hear. Be full of mercy. Be peaceable. Be faithful and humble.
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Thank you for the free Bible Study. I am looking forward to reading it. This is an area I have struggled with in that about 18 years ago I felt convicted to stop participating in Halloween as it wasn’t honoring God. My youngest child never went trick or treating, but we would take her to harvest festivals and such. I got push back from many in my family because it was a harmless day to dress up and collect candy. I did not feel the same way. One of my children will not celebrate the day with her child, another one loves taking his little ones out door to door. So I am struggling with my feelings on this.
I know the struggle so well. Praying for wisdom from the Lord for you!
This is my favorite thing I’ve read on Halloween. I am so thankful for your voice in the blogosphere. Grace and freedom our ours in Christ! That is a glorious truth when rightly understood in light of Gods character. Thank you Leigh Ann. 🙂
Thank you, Katie!
You’ve said it really well. Christians, (shamefully, myself including) take a judgmental attitude towards these issues. Like you said, there is no right way to approach this, but whatever way we decide prayerfully, we need to do it for God’s glory. We can shine His light by still being in this world. It is a very hard path to tread. But like everything else, God will give grace if we put him first! Thanks for your thoughts! I will keep this in mind as I approach the holidays 🙂
Thanks so much for this excellent challenge for us. I once heard this said, “Halloween is the one time of year when your neighbors are LITERALLY knocking on your door – are you really not going to answer?” That thought (along with much prayer) has helped form my convictions about Halloween. God bless you and your work!
Oh Leigh Ann, how timely your words are! I’ve been considering staying off of Facebook for the Halloween season because I’ve grown weary of the divisiveness among my sisters and brothers over the issue of whether to participate in the festivities. I have felt judgement from those led in a different direction than I feel led. I believe this is a Christian liberty issue, and hope that no matter how a Christian chooses to celebrate or abstain, it is Spirit- and conscience-led.
My “spiritual” background is steeped in paganism and witchcraft, in which Halloween was a high holiday. I see fully the danger in celebrating pagan gods. Even knowing that, or perhaps because I have experienced that, I know that the various ways I build relationships in my neighborhood on the last day in October have so much more to do with the living God than it ever could with a false pagan deity.
I consider, though, a movie I had to avoid, even though my husband longed to see it with me. I had a “crush” on the male protagonist, and knew that if I indulged in that movie, it would lead to temptation. I only bring up this story to show that what is sin or temptation to one is not to another. I would not call on my sister to avoid the movie I avoid because my conscience leads me differently than hers. I am called to follow Jesus and his Word, my pastors, my husband, and the law of the land (where the latter three do not cause me to sin) and since not one of those outright forbids Halloween, and my conscience permits it, I celebrate.
Thank you for a chance to share.
Thank you for the scripture reminding us we are here for the lost.
my husband has been part of a group that patrols our town on halloween night to ensure the safety of residents….this might be one way of glorifying God, I guess we need to ask Him!
Thank you so much for this study and this post! I am going to be a first time Mum this December, but growing up, my family (mostly my own Mums opinion I think) never did Halloween because it started out as All Hallows Eve and was a pagan holiday. I have been struggling with this ever since I was old enough to truly think about it on my own. But this post and study are truly an answer to prayer! I hope to find what I feel comfortable with, regarding Halloween. Mrs. Dughtton, I fully agree with your statement, “there is no right or wrong way”. This is not something clearly stated in the Bible. Just as you mentioned the other paganized holidays we take part in are not mentioned either. God bless you and keep you! Thank you again for this wonderfully timed study and post!
I have prayed for this for years. As an elementary teacher, I was required to work our Halloween carnival that was our main fundraiser. But I always signed up to work the concession stand or cakewalk.
After we moved to a new school we discontinued the carnival as we didn’t want any damage or spilled drinks on carpet! Then I had to decide personally what to do. My answer was: since my students, neighbors and strangers were coming to my door, I handed out candy with a scripture on it, or one year I had a booklet with the comparison of how we should be like a jack o’lantern ( short version, let God clean you out then let Him place a light in you). I could profess my faith in ways I couldn’t at school.
God Bless You for your blog and challenging us to seek God’s will.
I love the Jack-o-Lantern parable. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your challenging post. My parents chose not to celebrate Halloween with us because of its roots and other reasons (It is also my sister’s birthday so we always celebrated her and the life God had given her on Halloween). I know they must have prayed and studied God’s Word very carefully to come to that conclusion, especially as they both grew up participating as a “harmless activity,” but I have never seriously, prayerfully or humbly approached this subject myself.
Your post has encouraged me to spend time in prayer and in God’s Word. Your whole site has. Thank you for putting the focus on Christ and not yourself. I had not realized how UNintentional my life has been. I walk around and do my thing without thought or dedication to the Lord. I want my life to be Christ-built and Christ-reliant. I want to make decisions from His Word, and not from my default setting, which will always be selfish,
Thank you for this! As I continue to grow in my walk with God, this is the type of question I ask. How is excluding ourselves and separating ourselves from others in this way being a light for Jesus. As a family, we are being driven to figure out how to reach people. This past Halloween, we also went into the community and visited the neighbors and made plans for coffee and future meals. It is not often people will freely open their doors for you. What a wonderful opportunity to make relationships and spread His love.
I grew up as a non-Christian celebrating Halloween with every other child in the neighborhood and saw it as a fun time to get candy. When I became a Christian I had doubts about the holiday and cautiously dressed by young son as a shepherd (with a lamb and Styrofoam staff) to go to my Aunt’s house. Then I discovered Christian tracts and read an article asking at what other time do people actually come to our door asking for something. Well, I have something to share with them, Jesus! For almost 40 years now, I have been passing out children’s Christian tracts with candy. I think if I just gave a tract they might be disappointed and not read the tract. The tracts I use usually have a puzzle or riddles to gain their interest. I am not sure how many children have read the tracts but I hope that seeds have been planted where they have been spread. You never know!