Source Ministries International

FROM HALLOWEEN to ALL SAINTS’ DAY

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Dr. Lewis W. Gregory

What is Halloween? Should we be concerned about it? The following message is not about the pros and cons of Halloween. It’s about presenting the bigger picture and the deeper biblical truth behind it.

Halloween is an event that occurs on October 31.  Halloween is an abbreviation of “All Hallows’ Eve,” which is the evening before “All Saints’ Day.” All Saints’ Day is observed annually on November 1. It celebrates the unity of the universal Church and all saints worldwide. There is a spiritual significance between these two days. All Saints’ Day and All Hallows’ Eve offer a fitting contrast between the old life “in Adam” and the new life “in Christ.” They graphically illustrate what happens to a person at conversion. That person is changed into a new creation in Christ. Out with the old, and in with the new. The old, evil person they were in Adam is replaced by a new, righteous person with new life in Christ. What a difference a day makes!

All Saints’ Day is all about the saints. Who are the saints? The “saints” are all the people who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When a person receives Christ, the Spirit of God gives them new life. They are cleansed of all unrighteousness and sanctified. Sanctified means set apart, made holy, and made righteous. This occurs through our union with Christ—the holy, righteous one. When the Holy Spirit enters into us, He sanctifies us, thus making us saints. A “saint” is a person who has been sanctified. Therefore, “in Christ” we are all saints!

Halloween today is often a time for children to dress up in costumes for fun and games. But its origins were not so pleasant. For some people, Halloween is a time to focus on all the evil, corrupt, and perverse aspects of God’s beautiful creation. And for them, Halloween is characterized by devilish costumes of evil creatures with hideous, mean, and ugly features. But there can be a lesson in this. These hideous costumes can also portray our evil human nature in Adam. But this evil nature is not nearly so obvious. Why? Because Satan rarely appears in such an evil form. Instead, he appears as an angel of light to deceive us.

Satan wears many pleasant and attractive masks to make evil look good. These are depicted through nice words and good deeds. Satan is the father of lies. Therefore, he works through people, telling lies, half-truths, and fake news. Satan uses people to get to people. These people are pawns in his hands, carrying out his evil deeds. Such practices indicate the evil nature with which everyone is born. We all inherited this evil nature from our forefather Adam, the progenitor of the human race. But God can change all that!

All Saints’ Day celebrates the beautiful, kind, and gentle new creations we can become in union with Christ. Because of Jesus Christ, we can be changed from death and darkness into life and light. This change is as different as night and day! And that’s amazing grace!

Such a change is revolutionary—at the very core of our being. It is a change of nature—from a sinner with an evil nature into a saint with a Divine nature. Thus, the old evil spirit of the Devil, which produced our evil nature, has been replaced by Christ’s new Divine nature, which makes us saints. “By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all . . . . For by one offering He has perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10, 14). Just as having the evil nature of the Devil made us sinners, so having the Spirit of God has made us saints. Only God can make such a dramatic change, from sinner to saint. Praise God for new beginnings!

Should we be concerned about Halloween? We should be concerned about everything to some extent, yet fearful of nothing. Having the Lord Jesus Christ as your Shepherd means you don’t have to fear evil. Why? Because “Greater is He [Christ] that is in us than he [the Devil] that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Sure, the Devil might try to use circumstances for evil, but God can use them for good (Genesis 50:20). So, fear no evil!

So, how should we respond to those with different views about Halloween? In a word: tolerance. However, tolerance does not mean acceptance or compliance. Consider the following words from the Apostle Paul, who offered some practical advice regarding such matters. “Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean” (Romans 14:13-14 NASB). Paul also said, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NKJV).

Your personal response—hold fast to your own convictions but remain tolerant of others. Be sensitive to the beliefs, needs, and interests of others. God’s love bears all things and endures all things for the sake of others (1 Corinthians 13). God overlooks our faults and sees our needs. Love—God’s unconditional love—covers all!

Always speak the truth in love. If you have the opportunity to help someone, then share your beliefs and convictions about Halloween. But do so without judgment or condemnation. Remember, love is gentle and kind. Avoid trying to force or coerce anyone. Change is God’s responsibility. Let everyone find their own way. However, you might be the one who needs to change. God only knows!

In conclusion, regarding Halloween. Let Halloween serve as a reminder of your old evil past while you celebrate your glorious new life! Emphasize truth and life, not death and destruction. Keep your focus on the new—the new person you have become in union with Christ. The new you is now a saint! And praise God that person never needs to wear a mask!

Watch LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – https://youtu.be/yg0ncWPLZPQ?si=Md_A88Nms5A14hGs