Halloween Part 3

If you have not read Parts 1 and 2 please stop, scroll down and read them, in order, before reading this.

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There is no such thing as benevolent evil. Now, before you become defensive and say "it's just pretend; it's cute; it's just for fun...say these things to yourself. Say them out loud. Maybe even look at yourself in a mirror while you say them. First say the "A" (what the world says it is) then replace it with the "B" (the true origin of the tradition or icon). Ready? O.k. Here we go.

A. I think the little witch on my door is cute.
B. I think the image of a satan worshipper who has the power to conjure up the dead, cast spells and place curses on people, animals, abodes and objects is cute.

A. Isn't the black cat my child colored just precious?
B. Isn't the image of a companion to witches, thought to be able to carry curses, just precious?

A. The bats and spiders I decorated with are so cute.
B. The companions of witches I decorated with are so cute.

A. The little ghosts hanging in my trees are adorable.
B. The images of demons, disguised as ghosts, hanging in my trees are adorable.

A. What is wrong with the cute little skeleton on my front door?
B. What is wrong with the image of a dead person, that's not quite dead, on my front door?

A. Haunted houses are fun. I like a good scare!
B. A place pretending to be inhabited by demons is fun. I like to pretend I am being accosted by demons. I like a good scare!

A. I like to see my kiddoes dressed up and going trick-or-treating (or trunk-or-treating).
B. I like to see my kiddoes dressed up going door to door (or trunk to trunk) threatening to put a curse on the residents if they don't give them their souls, in the form of a cake, or protection for their souls in the form of treats.

A. I am dressing my little girl up as a witch.
B. I am dressing my little girl up as a satan worshipper.

A. It's fun to carve a pumpkin with a scary face.
B. It's fun to make an effigy of an evil spirit.

A. It's harmless fun. It's just pretend.
B. It's o.k. to pretend to celebrate everything that's occultic.

A. I think the movie about witches casting spells and using black magic is funny and creatively done.
B. Just repeat what you just said.

A. What's wrong with werewolves if it's just pretend?
B. What's wrong with a man being possessed by a demon and becoming an evil being that is half man/ half wolf if it's just pretend?

A. I don't celebrate the occult. I let my child participate but he/she wears other types of costumes. I want them to experience the fun and make memories.
B. I don't celebrate the occult. But I support a holiday that does.

A. I know I shouldn't participate but when everyone else is it's hard to tell your kid "no".
B. I know I shouldn't participate in celebrating evil but when everyone else is celebrating evil, it's hard not to let your kid celebrate evil, too.

A. It's just pretend, so it's o.k.
B. It's just pretending to celebrate evil; we're just pretending to cast spells; we're just pretending to honor demons; we're just pretending to conjure (or worship) the dead.

A couple of days ago I saw an ad for a certain line of make-up. It said, "The perfect make-up to make you look perfectly wicked!" Really? Read that again.

If, dear brother or sister, you don't have cold chills by now...read on.

The numbing affect started with cute shows and movies like Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Be Witched, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Bed Knobs and Broomsticks, Escape to Witch Mountain, I Dream of Jeannie, The Ghost and Mrs. Murr, Haunted Mansion, and the list goes on. Harry Potter has mesmerized three generations. All of these make light of something very real and serious...the occult.

Because of the cuteness of movies such as Cinderella (and the goodness of the fairy godmother) we give our little girls pretend magic wands encouraging them to pretend to cast spells.

There are two forces in the universe. God and Satan. Their work (which is a battle that has been raging since satan tempted Eve in the garden) is carried out, in the supernatural, by angels and demons. That's all. There is NO SUCH THING as ghosts. The dead DO NOT come back and visit you, no matter how comforting it may seem. (See Halloween Part 2) I will address "The Dead Cannot Come Back" at another time.

It is time, past time, to draw a line in the sand and say, "No! We WILL NOT support a holiday that "pretends" to celebrate everything that is dark.

If my stand against halloween makes a million people mad at me, but helps one person's eyes to be opened, I will count it all joy! If I am mocked and ridiculed but one person sees the light, it is worth it!

The question that begs to be ask is: Would you allow your child, or would you yourself, pretend to worship satan?

Well, my friends, that is exactly what you are doing when you participate in his holiday or watch his cute, funny, "family" programs and movies. And he just sits back and laughs at how easily he has blinded and duped so many who claim to be followers of his arch enemy, Jesus Christ.

Halloween is upon us in two days so this will be the last installment of this series. I wonder have I said enough? I wonder if anyone has changed their mind? I wonder if my efforts have caused anyone to lay down this "weight that so easily besets". The answer to all of these questions is "no". Because my words, my encouragement, my gentle rebukes could never be enough without the light- shedding, convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

I leave you with one final thought. Would you invite Jesus to do it with you? Would Jesus help you hang those decorations? Would Jesus pretend to be a witch? Would Jesus go through that haunted house with you? Would He watch that movie?

I think not. I think He is broken hearted that so many of His children have so easily embraced the things of darkness just because they are fun and only pretend.

I welcome your sincere questions. I am praying for you.

Pastor Jennifer