Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Based on the origin of this holiday, the simple answer to this question is “no.” But in reality, what many Christians want to know is, “should we feel guilty for dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood?”

This is a question many believers have asked and debated for years. It would be nice to have a Bible verse that directly answered these complex questions, but unfortunately there are no verses that talk about Halloween. There are, however, some verses that could inform the way we think about Halloween. Here are three things to consider as Halloween approaches:

Look to the Word

• Although the Bible never says the word “Halloween,” there are plenty of verses that address witchcraft and evil spirits. In Exodus 22:18, witchcraft is punishable by death. 

• 2 Timothy 1:7 says that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Celebrating the spirit of fear is at odds with Christianity. If you are participating in something that feels evil against your spirit, you may want to think twice about it. 

• A good rule of thumb when asking a question like this is, if the answer is not clear in Scripture, then test it against the character and person of Jesus. Would Jesus celebrate Halloween? Jesus would definitely not sit around an Ouija board, but I do think he might use the opportunity to hang out with his friends and eat food. I think Jonathan Roumie would do the same. 🙂

Spend More Time with Family and Friends

• Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 says, “So go eat your food and enjoy it; drink your wine and be happy, because that is what God wants you to do.”

• Proverbs 27:10 says, “Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family.”

• We all crave to be around the people we love, and we should do it every chance we get. Every major event in life results in coming together with friends and family around a dinner table. Weddings, funerals, birthdays, holidays, etc., Being with family, laughing, and eating food is something that every believer should embrace unapologetically. We were designed for it. And if the rest of society has already carved out a night every year to get together, even if it is for a holiday that we don’t support as Christians, it would be a missed opportunity to not take advantage and do the same. 

• There is nothing inherently sinful about dressing in costumes and going trick-or-treating. If you have a conviction about it, then don’t do it. But don’t miss an opportunity to spend time with people you love, whether costumes and candy are involved or not.

Be a Light on a Dark Holiday

• Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

• Some people prefer to turn off the lights on the front porch as a statement that they will not be participating. And as Romans 14:5, you should be “fully convinced” of how the Holy Spirit is leading you. If that’s what he’s leading you to do, then great.

• Others participate in the commercialized aspect of the holiday within their communities. The last few years, we went to my brother’s house, sat in the front yard around a fire pit, and passed out candy to kids. It was a great opportunity to smile and show the love of Jesus to everyone who came by. Many of the neighbors got to see my brother’s kindness and generosity in action when he greeted everyone with a smile and the best candy on the block.  

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Most Christians are not trying to participate in demonic rituals to ward off ghosts. They’re just trying to take their kids out to get candy and spend time with friends. Whatever you do, whether you stay home or take the kids out trick-or-treating, do it all to the glory of God and let the light of Jesus shine through you.