Where the wild things are not

I've been praying and thinking about writing about Halloween for a while now. With the recent "wild things" movie coming out(and its not so gracious reviews), I thought I'd delve into the question, "If we are Christians, should we participate in Halloween?"

I can go on and on about the origin of Halloween and what all the elements of it stand for. I won't do that now, so you can click here and read a Christian's perspective and evaluate it for yourself.

However, I did want to share a bit of my heart on this issue and why Q and I do not participate in Halloween. This is not to judge or criticize in any way if you do participate. Perhaps it will get you thinking and asking the Lord about how much (if any) you should participate in this event. I cannot even call it a "holiday" because it is not even holy. I am amazed at how much Halloween has crept into churches, Christian schools and Christian homes. And by that I include even to decorate, buy candy, and get involved with trick-or-treating.

Some may say that celebrating Halloween in the smallest ways is innocent fun--it is by no means innocent. I think some are wrapped up in the idea that if they don't let their kids get involved then they are missing out on an important part of childhood. I did not participate in any aspect of Halloween growing up, and neither did Q, and we don't look back saying, "Oh, I wish I would have..." If the Lord blesses us with children some day, they will not participate in Halloween either. Instead, it will be a normal family day--perhaps we'll even include a time of prayer and singing praises to God, instead of giving honor and attention to Satan. I've heard of Christian families doing this, and I think it's a wonderful way to bring back the "Hallowed Eve" it once was. That's really how it started anyway. Amazing how time and the deceitfulness of Satan has crept in....

I have been thought of as strange or different with my views on this issue--even from family members! And that's okay, because I know what I believe to be Truth and I want to obey the Lord in this issue the best that I know how. To give you an idea on how far I will not participate...I won't wish anyone a "Happy Halloween" (there's nothing happy about it); I don't buy candy or pass it out; I don't decorate my house with any of the stuff; I won't make costumes knowingly for people, especially if it is of a witchy, ghostly nature. By "knowingly" I mean that if it's in the fall and someone asks me to make a Halloween costume, I won't do it (even though the pay may be good). If I don't know, or if it is a good costume for a school event or church, then I will do it. Some may say this is too far, but for me, I've drawn the line very extreme, because as I said before, I want to obey and honor the Lord with everything I do.

Here are a few principles with Scripture that are a help to me and perhaps will be a help to you, no matter where you stand on the issue:

Why the Johnson household doesn't participate in Halloween--

1. We want what's in our home to give glory to God. We can praise God for His provisions, but we cannot give Him glory by looking at the ghostly decorations in our home. Philippians 4:8 says we are to think on things that are pure and right. We cannot do that if we are swarmed by the entertainment and decorations of Halloween.

2. Witches, satanism, ghosts, dead bodies and witch craft do not honor the Lord. As said earlier, this is not innocent fun.

"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." 3 John 1:11

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." Ephesians 5:11-12

3. We want to be a "light" in this world, and not a part of it. How can we truly be different if we get involved with what the world deems as fun?

4. We want our time and money to be spent on that which counts for eternity. Going to church, witnessing to others, and even making costumes for a church play all count for something! I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God."

So, how have we dealt with others around us that participate? We pray for them and talk about things that are of a good nature. We get involved in their lives and listen. And how do we deal with criticism? Basically, if the Lord has shown us what to do through His Word, than that's what we focus on--the Truth. With eternity in view, that's all that matters anyway. Someday we will give an account on what we've done on this earth, including this seemingly innocent event.

That's my heart. Hope this was a help and encouragement to you. What I would like to know is...if you do not participate, what do you do with your family instead?