My Final Post on Halloween
There’s nothing that seems to cause so much division among Christians as the topic of Halloween. I have even deleted old posts about it because of the division it caused. I shared this on Facebook today.
As always, it caused a TON of division. In response to all of the division in the comment section, I wrote the following to help clear things up for women:
“See, I used to be just as strong and adamant as many of you women are about Halloween. I hated it. It was evil with evil origins, and I let my husband know. He didn’t believe that the children dressing up in innocent costumes and going to a few neighbors to trick-or-treat was evil. I continued to fight him hard on this. Some years the children went trick-or-treating, and others they didn’t.
“I no longer make such a big deal about things like this. I respect others’ convictions. I just don’t like seeing it cause division in their homes about it like I did. We raised our children in the Lord. They know good from evil. They all walk in truth. Some let their children dress up and go trick-or-treating and others don’t. They love the Lord and are raising their children to know and love Him.
“This isn’t a hill I want to die on anymore. If you’re convicted about not letting your children go trick-or-treating, that’s great! But, I sure hope you’re not fighting your husband on this issue and being contentious and quarrelsome like I was. I deeply regret it. God cares far more about me living in loving submission to my husband than me fighting him for what I want and demanding my way. I love peace in our home!”
Seeing that there was still a lot of division in the comment section, I wrote this:
Most have completely missed the point I was trying to make on my Halloween posts. This is the point I was trying to make:
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” (1 Peter 3:1-6)
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ephesians 5:22-25
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7 thoughts on “My Final Post on Halloween”
It really comes down to two choices. (It reminds me of women’s questions to Debi Pearl about their husbands TV watching habits and Debi’s response)
Either, you can fuss and make a scene and stand In righteous indignation, thus causing your husband to feel disrespected and setting a bad example to your children and painting a bad picture of Christians if your husband is an unbeliever
Or,
You can make a wise appeal once in private to him, but then obey and do so cheerfully. While praying God will change his heart on the matter. Your husband will feel more respected, there will be peace in the home, your kids will think well of their daddy and God will honour your behaviour and work on hearts.
Amen, Megan!!! This is who we are to live as godly wives.
I agree with your post!
Also, we have liberties as Christians to decide what to do in regards to Halloween or any festival—Colossians 2:16.
I enjoy your blog. Thank you!
That would be a tricky situation! Thankfully Halloween is something my husband and I agree on. If the Lord gives us children, they will not go trick-or-treating. We also won’t do Christmas or Easter the commercial way. We have some good ideas for a Christ-centered Easter celebration, Christmas is still a mental work-in-progress. Growing up we celebrated Reformation Day instead of Halloween – doing a Bible quiz with prizes. It was my second favorite holiday of the year. Whether my husband and I continue this tradition or not will be up to my husband. I do want to encourage him to consider it, because it’s nice to have fun, wholesome family traditions to look back on, but if he difinitively says “no” I won’t oppose him. It’s not worth arguing about, especially since we don’t even have children yet.
I’m not a fan of Halloween but it is my husband’s favorite holiday. I don’t believe I would be in the right to make a stink about it. I think more about what Naaman asked of Elijah after he was healed of leprosy.
Naaman asked, “In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing”.
Elijah told Naaman to “go in peace.” I think Elijah could have told Naaman to go and make a stink about it but I believe Naaman was given a pardon because Naaman didn’t have authority over the king (just as we don’t over our husbands).
It is my belief (I could be wrong) that certain issues rest between the head of the household and God and that us asserting authority makes two wrongs (even if we are “right”). I think about how Queen Esther fasted and appealed to her husband as opposed to going straight in and demanding her way (even though she was correct).
I really like this perspective. I don’t like Halloween and we are adamant about nothing demonic in our home. No witches, vampires, or death related costumes. But to let them get a character costume and enjoy a “trunk or treat” event is ok. My husband usually likes to take them to one each year. We celebrate the fall season and the beauty of the change of leaves. I think children who are taught the truth every day can understand the distinction. And yes, peace in the home between mama and daddy is more important. And my husband doesn’t mind me dressing up for him either…😉
Our kids enjoy activities that some might disapprove of. When I mentioned my fear of public disapproval to my husband, he asked where was the protection of Biblical headship if I didn’t feel safe explaining to anyone who asked, that both my husband and my pastor were totally okay with it. That was kinda mind-blowing. Biblical headship can and should be a protection against fear of man.
We love Halloween!
It’s all in what you make of it. Obviously I wouldn’t let my kids dress up as Satan or something dark, but I don’t see anything wrong in letting your kids wear cute, fun costumes (cowboy, princess etc) and enjoy some trick or treating. Kids are only kids for a short amount of time, let them have fun and have fun with them. We do trick or treating, and then a family friendly Halloween movie afterwards! Such a fun time for us!