Every year, I receive questions about Halloween regarding faith and the spiritual nature of the holiday. I am reposting part of this blog from last year as I believe it is balanced.

After researching the roots of Halloween, I am not a fan, but I never have been. I allowed my children to dress up in costumes and trick or treat in our neighborhood. Costume choices excluded occult and dark things like vampires because I just don’t want to celebrate death or evil. We have enough of that in the world. Some years, we went to a Harvest party at church. Basically, I don’t like the connection to occult roots, the scary costumes, the gore, and the idea of frightening kids and desensitizing them to the dark spiritual world that does exist. But that is just my take and you need to talk it out with your family.

As mentioned, some people allow their children to dress up in fun costumes and trick or treat. Others say NO to that activity and attend alternate harvest parties at their churches. Some feel alternatives should not be offered as this assumes kids are missing something. Others are no longer certain of the safety involved. There are many opinions on this topic.

The important thing to do is research the holiday, pay attention to what you feel the Lord is telling you to do, and decide as a family. Pray for wisdom and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, not other people. Then help your children understand the position you take and why.

Other people should respect your decision, especially if you have had any personal encounters with the dark side of the spirit world in your family or through the generations. And if your decision is simply based on the idea that you don’t like what Halloween stands for and do not want to participate, you don’t need the approval of others.

Romans 12:2 reminds us not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In our post Christian culture, taking a stand for what you believe to be true based on Scripture is an important lesson to model for children.

My caution, though, is not to judge others. Many use this holiday to engage their neighbors and have conversations about spiritual things. When our son was very young, he talked to people about Jesus when he was walking in the neighborhood. Others feel, they can dress up and had out candy because as Christians, there is nothing to fear. Still others see this as an opportunity to talk about the spiritual world, a chance for cultural engagement with not only children but also adults.

No matter what you decide, know this. Jesus overcame all evil, so we don’t have to fear. He overcame the darkness (1 John 4:4) and triumphed over death and evil. And every day His overcoming power works in us when we are one of His.

Assure your children that no matter what they encounter, they are covered by the precious blood of Christ (not scary, but comforting) and greater is He that is in us, then he that is in the world.