Leviticus 19:26-31 – "Do not practice divination or sorcery . . . nor turn to mediums or and familiar spirits."
Leviticus 20:6 – "I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and familiar spirits."
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – "Anyone who practices witchcraft, or sorcerery, or conjuring spells are an abomination."
Isaiah 8:19 – "When men tell you to consult mediums and familiar spirits, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"
Isaiah 47:13-14 – "Behold, the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them. They shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame."
Jeremiah 10:2 – "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles . . ."
Ephesians 5:11 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Halloween, or Samhain, is celebrated every year on October 31st by millions of children and their parents. The celebrants put on costumes and go "trick or treating". Some see this as a fun time for all, others see this as a night of demonically inspired mayhem.
Historical Background
Halloween has almost completely pagan origins. It began as an ancient Irish and Scottish celebration of the change of seasons from fall to winter, a time to bring the animals out of the open fields and into the barns. It was the harvest festival of the Druids celebrated with the bonfires and the offering of sacrifices.
It was believed that the spirits of the dead would freely roam about on this day looking for bodies to indwell or possess. The invisible gates between heaven and earth would open, allowing those of the spirit realm to freely move between both realms. Superstitions were allayed by wearing costumes and making lots of noise. These behaviors were believed to scare the dead away.
The Catholic Church took over the Samhain celebration around the 5th century A.D., renaming it All Hallows Eve. It was meant to be a celebration honoring the saints. Part of the celebration involved going door-to-door asking for small cakes in payment for saying prayers for dead relatives.
The Objects Of Halloween
- Costumes – The celebrants put on costumes and go "trick or treating". Superstitions were allayed by wearing costumes and making lots of noise. These behaviors were believed to scare the dead away.
- Food – The treats or food were left at their doors for the visiting spirits. This was believed to appease the spirits so they would not destroy their homes, animals, or crops but simply pass on by.
- Eating Fruit – To the occultist, the eating of fruits, is symbolic of bringing life. (Note that the eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil resulted in death).
- Apples – To the occultist, the practice of bobbing for apples represents two pagan traditions: divination and the fertility ritual.
- Pumpkins – The carved pumpkin, or jack-o-lantern symbolizes the deal that a man named Jack made with Satan to keep himself out of hell at his death. Since Jack could go to neither heaven nor hell, he had no choice but to wander around the earth with a single candle placed inside a turnip to light his way. The hollowed out turnip later became the pumpkin.
- Black Cats – The black cat is believed to be reincarnated spirits who had prophetic abilities.
To Celebrate Or Not
Halloween has long been known as "The Festival of the Dead." The ancient rituals today are still performed by those involved in witchcraft who continue to call the celebration "The Feast of Samhain." It continues to be the major day on which witches attempt to communicate with the dead through various forms of divination. One of those practices is to learn the secrets of life and wisdom by lying on a grave and listening to the messages from familiar spirits, or by calling them up from out of the grave, all practices thoroughly forbidden by Yahweh in scripture (see 1 Samuel 28).
Taking part in Halloween celebrations can lead many to believe that true Christianity endorses the promotion of witches, witchcraft, familiar spirits, divination, spirit guides, the walking dead, and other occultic practices. Engaging in these practices, even such seemingly innocent practices as putting on costumes and gathering treats, can unwittingly open the door to the demonic. Satan and his demons are real beings set on our destruction and love an open door! Scripture firmly and unequivocally denounces these practices. Dabbling in the demonic can also invite Yahweh's judgment. Instead, Paul commands us to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (see Ephesians 6:11-18).
Conclusions
Ephesians 5:11 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them."
The Bible unquestionably, unequivocally, and resolutely speaks disapprovingly about occultic practices, spirits, and witches; and condemns not only the practice of such things, but also the people who are involved in it. As Christians, we are to have nothing to do with the occult, and that includes participating in celebrations that have been brought into the church calendar in attempts to overwrite pagan agendas. The true Christian neither willingly opens a door for Satan and his demons to walk through, nor provokes Yahweh's judgment. The true Christian knows this and avoids these occultic activities, not wishing for even their actions to cause others to stumble (see 1 Corinthians 8).
I urge all true Christians to refocus purely on Yeshua, to repent, and to purge themselves and their churches from the worldly, Satanically inspired, outside influences and from the incorporation of pagan practices into church sponsored celebrations. Yahweh has appointed
seven moedim (dress rehearsals) – the church needs no others.
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