Halloween....Candy, and Convictions
Every year around this time, the debate pops up again: Halloween….is it okay to celebrate, or is it a doorway into the devil’s trap?
In our house, we tend to stay away from it, but not really for the reasons people might think.
Jovi was raised Pentecostal, so she never participated in Halloween and now as an adult it doesn't really fit her vibe. She is more of a Christmas girl you know lights, music, joy, peace, family, and everything wrapped in red and green. Halloween just does not speak her language. Me, on the other hand, I was raised with hoodlums, so I grew up thinking Halloween was mostly just an excuse for free candy and egg some houses. I do not have some deep theological view of the holiday as a kid. I was not studying ancient customs or spiritual implications. I was looking for the house giving out full-size candy bars and the ones that had no candy at all they got the rotten eggs.
But even with that said, I have never been a big fan of being surprised or scared. We can blame my dad for that one. When I was about ten years old, he scared me half to death while I was watching the original The Exorcist. Since then, I do not do scary movies. Some people enjoy the adrenaline rush. I enjoy sleeping peacefully and not checking behind the shower curtain at midnight.
So Why Do We Avoid It?
For us, staying away from Halloween is not about trying to win an argument with everybody else. It is not about proving we are more spiritual than the next family. It is not about looking down on people who take their kids trick-or-treating, dress up in fun costumes, or enjoy the neighborhood festivities.
It is more about knowing our house, our history, our convictions, and our peace. Every family has to decide what they can participate in with a clear conscience. Some believers see Halloween as harmless fun. Others see it as something that opens the door to darkness. Many families land somewhere in the middle, choosing fall festivals, church events, or simple community gatherings instead.
And honestly, I think that is where grace has to come in. If Scripture does not give a direct command about a modern holiday, then wisdom, discernment, and personal conviction matter. The goal should not be to shame people into agreeing with us. The goal should be to ask, “Does this help our family honor God, protect our peace, and walk in the light?”
The Real Trap
Maybe the bigger trap is not a pumpkin on the porch or a kid dressed like a superhero asking for candy. Maybe the bigger trap is when we lose our love, our humility, or our ability to treat people with kindness over a debate that returns every October.
As Christians, we should be careful with anything that celebrates darkness, fear, or evil. But we should also be careful not to become so focused on what we are against that people can no longer see what we are for. We are for Jesus. We are for light. We are for peace in our homes. We are for raising our families with wisdom and conviction. So in our house, Halloween is not really our thing. Jovi is not interested, I am still recovering from childhood horror-movie trauma, and none of us feel like we are missing out. If anything, we have learned that not every cultural moment needs our participation. Sometimes peace is reason enough to pass. Unless my son finds out about the trunk or treat, then you see me out there looking for the full size candy bars again!
A Simple Thought for Other Families
I am not saying this from a place of judgement, after all I am no one. Just a guy learning, walking and inviting you to walk this faith journey with me. If your family celebrates Halloween, do it with wisdom. If your family avoids it, do it with grace. If your family is still figuring it out, talk about it honestly. Pray about it. Set boundaries and remember that the goal is not to copy what everyone else is doing or condemn what everyone else is doing. The goal is to follow God with a clean conscience and a peaceful home.
As for us, we will probably be somewhere near the Christmas decorations, skipping the scary movies, and maybe.....just maybe....buying our own candy.
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