A subscriber to my email list was the first to request a post on Christians and Halloween. This reader referenced a short TikTok video posted by contemporary Christian music artist Forrest Frank, during which a commentator drew attention to the connection between Halloween and Satanic practices such as human sacrifice.
The video isn’t anything revelatory, as the origin and purpose of Halloween has been a topic of hot debate among Christians for years. And, clearly, the issue isn’t black-and-white or there wouldn’t be a call for me to write about it—or for an uptick in people googling “Is it a sin for Christians to celebrate Halloween?” this time of year. So let’s consider this critically.
Is it okay for Christians to celebrate Halloween, or are you toeing the line when you dress up like a princess and walk the neighborhood filling a plastic pumpkin with candy?
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
What the Bible Doesn’t Say
Focus on the Family has already published a wonderful article (Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?) that thoroughly covers this issue from a biblical perspective. I’m not about to rewrite it here, so I highly recommend you check it out. But let’s talk about Christian discernment for a moment.
How many times does the Bible specifically mention Halloween? Zero. Halloween is not mentioned in the Bible at all. In fact, the Bible doesn’t specifically address lots of current issues. For example, is it okay for a Christian to . . .
- practice yoga?
- celebrate Santa Claus?
- read Harry Potter?
- get a tattoo?
None of these is mentioned by name in scripture, yet all regularly create controversy among Christians. But before you start thinking, wouldn’t it be nice if God gave us a solid list of “do this, not that,” consider how quickly your sinful nature pushes back against rigid guidelines. Such a list would not only make the Bible a gazillion times longer, but it would turn Christians into living robots.
And that’s not what Christianity is about. Because there’s also the gospel.
What the Bible Does Say
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
This verse—the Gospel in a nutshell—says nothing about what you shouldn’t do, but rather focuses on what God did. He loved us so much that he sacrificed his son, opening the door to eternal life. You are loved, and the appropriate response to that is a genuine desire to please God. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to please God, unless you have His Spirit in you.
Which he also gave you.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”
1 Corinthians 6:19
Through the Spirit, God gives you something called spiritual discernment so that you can make critical decisions about the things (like Halloween and yoga) that God doesn’t specifically address in the Bible.
Learn how to plug into the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Spiritual discernment means you have the freedom to make decisions based on your knowledge of God. The Bible does not specifically yay or nay Halloween. It does, however, strictly forbid witchcraft, sorcery, and human sacrifice. But you wouldn’t know that if you never studies your Bible.
Only those who know God can please God.
So first and foremost, read your Bible! Studying scripture and spending time in prayer are how you learn God’s will and develop spiritual discernment. Learning about living as children of the light and walking in obedience to God will help you discern what’s best when the time comes to make that call.
Check out my post on Biblical Discernment For Teens: How to Make Good Decisions.
Applying Spiritual Discernment to Halloween
Back to Halloween.
That some people celebrate Halloween with offensive practices does not itself make the holiday forbidden. (If that were true, there goes Christmas and Easter.) Nor do the supposed heathen origins of Halloween make it prohibited. (Again, look at Christmas and Easter, which were both associated with heathen holidays based on the astronomical calendar.)
It boils down to knowing God, knowing your heart, and knowing how your actions might influence those around you. Christians who have grown up in communities where Satanic cults are common often feel very strongly against Halloween, for good reason. So do not judge harshly against those who do not agree with you on whether or not it’s okay for Christians to participate in Halloween festivities.
So . . . Is It a Sin to Celebrate Halloween?
For those craving a black-and-white answer, here are four situations in which Christians should refrain from celebrating Halloween.
1) You know your conduct in participating is unbiblical and displeasing to God.
I’m talking about not just witchcraft, sorcery, seances, divination, and other unholy spiritual practices, but also vandalism, disrespectful pranks, and other forms of inappropriate conduct. If this is what you mean by celebrating Halloween, you should stop immediately and get realigned with God’s will.
Get started: Not Just On Sunday: How to Be a Christian Every Day
2) You live in a community where your innocent participation in Halloween activities might be misinterpreted.
In communities where occult practices are common, choosing to celebrate Halloween is walking a dark and dangerous line. Don’t risk it. Satanic cults are intriguing to many teens, and you don’t want to fall into that trap or lead your friends there.
Related: 8 Ways to Encourage Your Friends In Their Faith
3) It chafes your conscience to celebrate Halloween.
By all means, don’t do it. Always listen to your conscience. Those who don’t tend to become numb to it, even when it’s screaming at them.
Related: The Holy Teenage Life: Real Faith, Real Happiness
4) You live under the authority of parents/guardians who have forbidden you from participating in Halloween activities.
The question ends there. Your God-given duty is to honor your parents. Invite your friends over to watch a cheesy, not-scary movie instead.
Again, please check out Focus on the Family’s article if you wish to dig deeper. And may you wisely enjoy your Christian freedom with good spiritual discernment this Halloween!
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.