By Evangelist Peter Gee—Christianity News Daily
Every October 31st, millions across the world dress in costumes, carve pumpkins, and chant “trick or treat.” Eerie lights illuminate the streets, and people decorate their homes with skeletons, witches, ghosts, and demons. For most people, Halloween is just a night of fun. But to the spiritually discerning, it’s a clear sign of how far society has strayed from God.
The flickering candlelight creates dancing shadows on the walls, fostering an atmosphere that balances between light and darkness. As night falls in the busy center of the city, an enchanting gathering takes place—a masquerade ball full of mystery and charm. This unique celebration, aptly named “The Celebration of Darkness,” invites attendees to don elaborate costumes and ornate masks that reflect the interplay between shadow and light. Excitement and anticipation fill the air as guests arrive. The venue, draped in velvet and twinkling fairy lights, exudes an ethereal quality. The music of a string quartet plays softly through the crowd, mixing with laughter. The music pulls everyone into a trance-like rhythm. Yet beneath the surface of this playful celebration lies an exploration of deeper themes—the duality of human nature, the beauty found in darkness, and the joy of embracing our hidden selves. Guests engage in spirited conversations, sharing tales of the whimsical and the macabre, reveling in the shared anonymity that masks provide. As the night deepens, the event transforms into a captivating dance of shadows, where the line between fun and darkness blurs, inviting all to celebrate not just light but the beauty found in the mysterious depths of life.
The Bible warns, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Halloween, though marketed as harmless entertainment, is rooted in paganism, witchcraft, and occult worship. It is not just a cultural holiday; it is a spiritual battleground—a satanic ritual disguised as innocent festivity.
The Pagan Origins of Halloween
Halloween traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “Sow-in”), celebrated over 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and parts of the UK. The Celts believed that on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and spirits roamed the earth. Fires were lit to ward off evil, and sacrifices were made to appease the spirits of the dead.
The name “Halloween” derives from “All Hallows’ Eve”—the night before All Saints’ Day, a Roman Catholic observance introduced in the 8th century. The attempt to “Christianize” the pagan festival failed; rather than transforming it, the darkness of Samhain infiltrated Christian traditions. The witches, black cats, spells, and ghosts we see today are all remnants of those demonic practices.
Scripture warns, “They provoked Him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God” (Deuteronomy 32:16-17). Halloween is not innocent; it is a night that glorifies what God calls an abomination—contact with spirits, witchcraft, and necromancy.
The Satanic Connection: Halloween and the Occult
In the modern world, Halloween is often dismissed as mere fantasy. But to Satanists, witches, and occult practitioners, it is a sacred night. Former occultists testify that Halloween is one of the highest Satanic holidays—a time for sacrifices, rituals, and summoning of spirits. It is when witches perform spells and invoke demonic forces to gain power, wealth, or vengeance.
The Word of God strictly condemns such practices:
“There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.” — Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
Halloween promotes these abominations—witchcraft, sorcery, spirit communication, and fear. Yet, tragically, many Christians and churches have participated through “harvest festivals” or “trunk-or-treats,” rebranding darkness as “family fun.”
The Global Popularity of Halloween: A Sign of the Times
From America to Japan, from Europe to Africa, Halloween’s influence has become global. By 2025, people will spend billions of dollars on costumes, decorations, and candy. Social media trends glorify it, and schools hold parties promoting it as “creative expression.”
This global obsession fulfills the prophecy that in the last days, people will “love pleasure rather than God” (2 Timothy 3:4). The masses crave entertainment, not truth; they want laughter, not holiness.
Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, the world celebrates evil without conscience. “Like in Noah’s time, so shall it be in the Son of Man’s time” (Luke 17:26). Society has normalized sin and glamorized darkness. The devil has successfully repackaged ancient evil as “fun for the family.”
The Tragic Involvement of the Church
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of Halloween’s rise is the participation of the modern church. Many churches in the West now hold “Christianized” versions of Halloween—replacing horror with games and calling it evangelism. Yet the Bible commands separation, not assimilation.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14
When churches decorate sanctuaries with pumpkins and spiderwebs, they unwittingly endorse the works of darkness. By accommodating the world, they compromise holiness and invite deception. Jesus warned, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
Halloween cannot be redeemed. It was created for the worship of false gods and demons. Participating in Halloween constitutes spiritual adultery against the Lord.
The Seduction of the Youth: Satan’s Target Generation
The devil’s strategy is clear—if he can capture the imagination of children, he can shape the future of nations. Through Halloween, he seduces the young with fear, magic, and rebellion. Costumes of witches, vampires, and devils desensitize children to evil. Horror movies and haunted houses glorify death and terror, planting seeds of fascination with the occult.
The Bible declares, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). If parents allow children to celebrate Halloween, they are training them to celebrate evil.
Satan’s strategy is ancient—he hides behind amusement. What seems harmless is spiritually deadly. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck” (Matthew 18:6). Halloween offends the innocence of children by exposing them to spirits of fear, darkness, and death.
A Generation That Knows Not the Lord
After Joshua’s death, “There arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). That verse describes our generation perfectly.
Most modern youth know neither Jesus Christ nor the Gospel. Instead, they are drawn to witchcraft, astrology, and New Age mysticism—the very things Scripture forbids. Social media promotes tarot readings, crystals, and horoscopes as “spiritual enlightenment.” But these are tools of deception.
The Apostle Paul warned that in the last days, people will “turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables” (2 Timothy 4:4). Halloween is one of those fables—a celebration of death disguised as joy.
What the Bible Says About Darkness and Light
The Word of God is clear: believers are to separate themselves from the world’s unholy customs.
“Ye are the Light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14
“Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17
Halloween celebrates death; Jesus conquered death. Halloween glorifies demons; Jesus cast them out. Halloween promotes fear; “Perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Christians cannot mix the holy with the unholy. We are called to shine the Light of the Gospel, not participate in the works of darkness.
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
A spiritual reality exists behind every Halloween costume and horror movie. Demons are real, hell is absolute, and Satan is actively seeking to deceive.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8
The devil uses fear, entertainment, and curiosity to lure people into bondage. A costume party can transform into a gateway for demonic oppression. Countless testimonies exist of people who experienced nightmares, hauntings, and fear after participating in Halloween rituals.
Christians must not underestimate the power of the demonic realm. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12).
Why the World Loves Halloween: Pleasure Without Purpose
The appeal of Halloween lies in its indulgence—it offers pleasure without morality and fun without faith. People crave thrill and excitement because they have rejected God.
Jesus said, “This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The world loves Halloween because it celebrates the very darkness men love to hide in.
The tragedy is that most do not realize they are celebrating rebellion against God. It is written, “Woe unto them that call evil positive, and positive evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).
The Church’s Call to Repentance
It is time for the church to awaken from spiritual slumber. The Body of Christ must stop compromising with the world and start confronting sin. God is calling His people to repentance.
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
Churches that host Halloween alternatives must examine their motives. True evangelism does not imitate the world; it exposes the darkness and proclaims the cross.
The apostle Paul said, “What concord hath Christ with Belial?” (2 Corinthians 6:15). None. We must choose: either we stand with Christ or compromise with Satan.
A Message to Parents and Believers
Parents must guard their homes. Refuse to let your children be drawn into Halloween’s web of deception. Pray with them, teach them the Word of God, and remind them they belong to Jesus.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
Instead of celebrating Halloween, use the day to worship, pray, and intercede for souls trapped in darkness. Organize family devotion, share the Gospel, and remind others that Christ is the Light of the world.
The Hope in Jesus Christ
There is victory in Jesus! While the world glorifies death, the Gospel declares life eternal through Christ. “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Jesus triumphed over Satan, sin, and death at the cross. Believers do not need to fear Halloween or any power of darkness. The blood of the Lamb covers us.
“And they overcame him with the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.” — Revelation 12:11
The actual celebration for Christians is not Halloween but Calvary—where Jesus defeated the kingdom of darkness and brought Light to the world.
Conclusion: Come Out of Babylon
Halloween is not just a holiday; it is a satanic deception. It glorifies death, fear, and sin—the very things Christ was sent to destroy. The Bible commands us, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins” (Revelation 18:4).
Let this generation return to holiness. Let the church awaken and denounce this abomination. Let parents rise and protect their children. Let every believer take up the armor of God and stand against the devil’s schemes.
We must remember: Halloween is not harmless—it is hellish. But Jesus Christ is Lord of all. He alone deserves our worship, our time, and our devotion.
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” — Romans 13:12
