It used to be that the trappings of Halloween were rolled out the beginning of October. No more. I was surprised this year to see all things ghoulish for sale by Labor Day. Now we can look forward to more than a month of demonic paraphernalia representing Satan’s kingdom displayed from Walgreens to Walmart. I saw the greeting card above in a drugstore two weeks ago. The message is revealing and portending: Wishing you a Halloween that’s happy in every “witch” way! Produced by Hallmark, no less, a quintessentially, all-American trademark.
For nearly four decades I’ve sounded the alarm against the cultural embrace of Halloween. In the beginning, I was mocked for my stand. Then, some churches saw the light, not because they believed in demonic possession, but because it seemed unsavory to have Christian kids trooping down the street dressed like little demons. But more recently, some cool, hip millennial churches have gone all out for this devil’s day; one source suggested celebrating Halloween with “positive and imaginative observances.”
Even Christian proponents of Halloween admit that its origin was with the witchcraft-practicing, human-sacrificing Druids of antiquity, who celebrated the Celtic new year (starting October 31) with the worship of Samhain, the Lord of Death. These Druids believed that this was the time of year when the veil shielding the spirit world was lifted and demons would attack. The only protection was a disguise or an appeasing “treat.” One Christian blogger has suggested that we should laugh at any devilish displays of evil at Halloween. This hardly squares with Paul’s words to the Ephesians, who had been redeemed from a culture of witchcraft-like paganism: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light . . . Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:8-11 NIV).
Yoga, mindful meditation, energy healing, psychics, and New Age spirituality have fostered the kind of thinking that leads to exploration of pagan beliefs. The public-relations efforts of witches (i.e. “wiccans”) comporting themselves as earth-loving, #me too, politically progressive defenders of gender and spiritual equality has played well in our post-Christian culture. Even President Trump has been the object of much-publicized witchcraft spells. With all things witchy about to spike as we near October 31, it’s crucial that Christians who are serious about spiritual warfare oppose everything connected with Halloween and get the information and training to fight back effectively. There’s no better way to do that than by enrolling in our International School of Exorcism
An encouraging word: GOD IS NOT SILENT
The Bible is such a beautiful, classic work of literature, especially the old King James Version. One of the most poetic statements is Psalm 19:2: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. This follows David’s declaration that the heavens declare God’s glory. The Living Bible says it simply, “Day and night they keep on telling about God.” Whatever way it is stated, the intent of the passage is that the created world is never silent about the presence of God, whether by beholding a billion galaxies on a starry night or the beauty of a sunset at the close of a day filled with wonder. The atheist has no excuse (Romans 1:20). If a sincere heart listens he will hear God’s voice and witness His knowledge. God is never silent.
