It's Getting Close To Halloween

Just as Satan has successfully veiled the true focus of Christmas by Santa Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees and presents, and the resurrection of Christ with Easter bunnies and Easter eggs, he has given the true pagan nature of Halloween a benign cultural veneer of respectability. Satan is the master of deceit and disguise. His favorite deception is to convince educated people that he really does not exist. What better way for him to perpetrate the illusion that neither his person nor power exist than to make it all "innocent fun."

-JW Williams, Author

I start today's commentary with a quote from a christian article that I read this morning. I always seem to go off on a tangent around Halloween. And that article has got me going a few days early! Now that I'm a parent I can appeal to other parents on a common ground, I think it is high time we christian parents stop Satan's unchallenged influence in the lives of our children. Halloween is just another one of those opportunities for him to work unhindered in an area that has been too long ignored.

In the past when I have spoken out against Halloween I have been called a narrow-minded religious fanatic. But Christ did not call us to be popular. He just called us to be faithful. I have always had a 'bad' feeling about halloween, even growing up in the 20 years before I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, I had a sense that dressing up and trick or treating on Halloween was 'wrong'. Looking back now I see that as God's tug on my heart to eventually join other christians in unmasking the true nature of Halloween.

The bible speaks out against imitating spirits and associating with things of the occult. As Christians, we must focus on Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, who has "shone into the darkness" (John 1:5).

And let's also heed Paul's admonition: "Be imitators of God, as beloved children ... for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:1,8).

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to stand strong against the masking comercialism of the true nature of Halloween. Let my family and I be light in the darkness. Let our witness be strong, Father.

Lord, we want to honor You in every way, in all we do. I pray that my stand against celebrating halloween in the popular manner culture has become accustomed will touch many hearts this year and open eyes to what Satan is really up to here.

I love you Jesus and I give this day to You, Father. And I pray these things in Your precious, holy name. Amen.