Halloween: Biblical take on "happy" horror

We changed the clock to winter time. It's dark early again. In a few days it will be Halloween. An American celebration, which is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands.

Participating in Halloween may seem innocently fun for children and adults, by dressing up and having "happy" horror, but it is another way Satan can deceive people into thinking there is no harm in playing a little with the world of ghosts and demons.

Another way of "fun" fear is watching exciting horror movies. Death, destruction, fear and spiritualism are continuous themes.

Spiritism has many faces. Some of them may seem harmless and even fun. Yet they lead children and adults away from God's truth and can be the beginning of further contact with the occult.

The Bible warns us against this in several places. These texts include:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” “Neither give place to the devil.” “I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils." 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 4:27, 1 Corinthians 10:20-21.

We are called not to participate in it in Ephesians 5:11-15: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” What is the unmasking light? The Bible, God's Word shows us the way to go through life (Psalm 119:105). Jesus is our great Example in this. He says of Himself that He is the Light of the world (John 8:12). If we follow Him, we certainly do not walk in darkness, but have the light of life!

We must each make a personal choice. No one can serve two masters, as described in Matthew 6:24. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Joshua 24:15.

If you have already come into contact with spiritualism and regret it, there is still a way back. Tell God in prayer. Ask Him for forgiveness and make a conscious choice to serve God. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

This advice applies to everyone: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things arehonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. Focus on the good, “and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:9.