Don’t Swim In A Pig Pen

If I were to take a swim in a pig pen, would I get disgusted responses from my friends and family? Would I be called names? Would it make my loved ones feel any better if I told them, “Don’t worry! I’m not actually a pig. I’m just playing one.” Imagine this scenario for yourself. Does it seem absurd? Now let’s take this a step further.

Imagine I participate in a satanic ritual. I’m not a devil worshiper, and I definitely don’t shed any blood! However, I dress in a dark robe, go out at night, and visit people I normally don’t see on a regular basis. Would this situation be any less absurd? If I claim I’m still a Christian even though I participate, does that make my actions more acceptable? If I say, “It doesn’t really mean anything to me; I love Jesus; I’m just having fun; after all, my friends are doing it,” does that clear my conscience? Does it clear yours? This is how my heavenly Father showed me the “celebration” of Halloween breaks his heart. He is greatly displeased with us who claim to be Christians, but celebrate a holiday glorifying death…the very thing he sacrificed to save us from.

In the past I celebrated Halloween. I really enjoyed dressing up and honestly, who doesn’t love free candy? I didn’t realize the harm in participating until my Lord got through to me about 14 years ago. I started feeling a discomfort in my spirit. As my children grew, the discomfort turned into a full spiritual conviction. I knew I was doing wrong, but I didn’t know why. Then, I read the interview of a former satan worshiper (https://www.westernjournal.com/ex-satanist-issues-ominous-warning-halloweens-hidden-purpose-suffered-30-days-torment/). When I finally accepted that I was sinning, I worried about the reaction of my children. “They will be so disappointed,” I thought. “How will I break it to them? They love dressing up and getting free candy!”

Honestly, though, think about the majority of Halloween costumes. Yes, there are princesses and famous cartoon characters. Super heroes are innocent and fun, right? Yet, most costumes signify injury, death or, to be blunt, sex. My daughter is tall for her age. In the last three years I could not find a costume that wasn’t a sexy version of something. What am I non-verbally saying to my children if I claim to be a Christian but send them out at night pretending to be something they’re not?

This blog isn’t about preaching because honestly, I’m still trying to learn from the Lord and improve myself every day. This is, however, just my story. This is my experience and what I’ve learned from Jesus. Here is what I did: first, I sat down with my children and told them God was convicting me of celebrating Halloween. This worked because they had already seen me develop a habit of prayer and reading the Bible. Then, I reminded my family, myself included, that every decision we make brings us a step closer to the Lord or a step farther away. We have to choose…period. In order to soften the blow, I offered a compromise. At first it was reluctantly accepted. Now, it’s something we look forward to, especially since I am teaching my son at home.

Once a year in the fall, my son hosts a party, but not on October 31st. He celebrates harvest time with his friends from public school; friends he doesn’t see as often due to busy school and sports schedules. Last year the boys carved pumpkins and bobbed for apples. This year we will have a paper wall to punch for prizes and do pumpkin bowling. I will provide snacks and the boys can dress up in costumes if they like. I do try to discourage spiritually dark costumes, but all are welcome!

Our Lord tells us in Proverbs 16:2 AMP,

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions], But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

Those who claim to be part of God’s family cannot celebrate pagan holidays if they know they shouldn’t down deep inside. When God repeats himself that means he’s serious. He’s trying to impress on us something very important. Our Lord does this in 3 John 1:11 TLB, where he says,

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do what is right prove that they are God’s children; and those who continue in evil prove that they are far from God.

Our sovereign King warned us in his word that in the last days many would be deceived (1 Timothy 4:1). Many people, probably even my friends and family, may think Halloween really isn’t that bad. They may think I’m a little too extreme, but isn’t that what many thought of Jesus? Aren’t we called to be like Christ, hence the name ”Christians”? Forget the ice bucket challenge, the trick shot challenge or the Tide Pod challenge. Take the Jesus challenge and help me be the light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16) and the image of God (Genesis 1:27) on earth. Don’t swim in the pig pen!

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter…

Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will become like something rotten and their blossoms will blow away like dust, for they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of Armies, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 5:20, 24 NIV