There are many things I enjoyed about being a child, and Halloween was pretty close to the top of the list. Every year as the leaves began to change color and the weather turned crisp, my thoughts would bend toward one overpowering idea: candy. I went so far as to make detailed plans before Halloween in order to maximize my candy intake, and I took great pleasure in enjoying my secret stash of sweets in the weeks that followed.

In short, if there's such a thing as a Halloween junkie, that was me growing up.

As a parent, however, I've been forced to think more deeply about the holiday we call Halloween. Is Halloween a celebration of evil or a promotion of the occult? Is it a harmless season that gives kids and adults a chance to have fun? Most importantly, should I allow my family to participate, or will doing so cause spiritual damage within our community?

Christians have wrestled with all of these questions and more for decades -- and I don't pretend to have absolute answers for you in this article. Thankfully, we can get some clarity from God's Word.

Seeking Principles

The question we're exploring is seemingly a simple one: What does the Bible say about Halloween? And the answer is pretty simple, as well: nothing. Because the Scriptures were written before the tradition of Halloween was established, God's Word doesn't offer any definitive advice on whether Christians should participate.

But that doesn't mean we're left on our own to make the right decision.

The Bible does offer a number of important principles that can help us evaluate our response to the modern phenomenon of Halloween.

Specifically, these two biblical principles will guide our way:

1. The Bible is in favor of fun.
2. The Bible warns against spiritual darkness.

Let's explore each of those principles as we engage the issue of Halloween.

The Bible Is In Favor of Fun

Contrary to what many believe, the Bible does not take a negative view toward having fun. In fact, the Bible is packed full with instructions for feasts and celebrations intended to help God's people commemorate the wonderful things He has done. This is especially true of the Old Testament!

Here's an example:

²² “Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields. ²³ You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of Yahweh your God at the place where He chooses to have His name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the Lord your God. ²⁴ But if the distance is too great for you to carry it, since the place where Yahweh your God chooses to put His name is too far away from you and since the Lord your God has blessed you, ²⁵ then exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place the Lord your God chooses. ²⁶ You may spend the money on anything you want: cattle, sheep, wine, beer, or anything you desire. You are to feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your family.
Deuteronomy 14:22-26

See that? Who knew the Book of Deuteronomy could be so enjoyable! And in case that doesn't convince you, here's proof that even Jesus knew how to have a good time:

¹⁵ While He was reclining at the table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also guests with Jesus and His disciples, because there were many who were following Him. ¹⁶ When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard this, He told them, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:15-17

This was a party! That's why the scribes and religious leaders were so offended -- Jesus was enjoying Himself in the midst of "tax collectors and sinners," and they couldn't understand it. They were anti-fun, but Jesus was not.

Nor is the rest of the Bible. The Scriptures are in favor of fun.

The Bible Warns Against Spiritual Darkness

The second principle we need to keep in mind is how strenuously the Bible warns us about the reality of evil. And I'm not talking about evil in the sense of each person being corrupted by sin -- although that's certainly true. All people do struggle with our own expressions of sin.

But what I'm talking about is the reality of evil that is both conscious and active on a spiritual level. Specifically, the Bible is clear that supernatural forces do exist who actively work against God's good plans for humanity and seek to cause damage wherever possible. For example:

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gerasenes. ² As soon as He got out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came out of the tombs and met Him. ³ He lived in the tombs. No one was able to restrain him anymore—even with chains— ⁴ because he often had been bound with shackles and chains, but had snapped off the chains and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was crying out among the tombs and in the mountains and cutting himself with stones.
Mark 5:1-5

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. ¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. ¹³ This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13

⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. ⁹ Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

I understand this idea seems out of touch to many people -- perhaps even silly. Outside of Hollywood, there doesn't seem to be a lot of room these days for supernatural expressions of evil.

However, to scoff at such ideas is to reject what the Bible communicates. And rejecting the truth of God's Word is always a dangerous prospect.

Moving Forward

It's not difficult to connect the dots between these biblical principles and the modern tradition of Halloween. Because the Bible is in favor of fun, it's entirely possible to engage Halloween with a spirit of celebration and community -- much like the Israelites of the Old Testament came together each year to celebrate feasts and festivals such as Sukkot, Rosh Hashana, Purim, and many more.

At the same time, we are warned throughout the Scriptures to be wary of spiritual darkness and the reality of supernatural evil. Therefore, we should avoid any engagement with Halloween in a way that celebrates evil, pain, death, the occult, and so on. Certainly we should run from any direct engagement with the "spirit world" -- including Ouija Boards and witchcraft.

The principles of the Bible don't always provide direct answers to modern questions, but they are helpful in guiding our decisions. Common sense and spiritual maturity are useful tools, as well.

If you'd like to continue reading about this issue, this article presents a helpful overview of the origins of Halloween and its later connection with the Catholic Church. (To summarize: the holiday originated within the church, not as part of any occult practices.) Also, Mary Fairchild offers good advice in reminding us to be careful when judging the decisions of other Christians on "debatable" topics, including Halloween.