Discerning the Difference

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October is finally here, and with it comes a welcome relief from summer. Along with cooler temps, October brings the beauty of pumpkins and gourds, and leaves falling lazily to the ground in shades of gold, red, orange, and purple. Those same colors appear majestically in the nighttime skies.

But sadly, October also brings constant advertisements and references to the dark side of Halloween. Plus, every television channel and streaming service seems to offer nothing but dark and scary movies, shows, and cartoons.

Seriously, it’s hard to watch anything on television or the internet in October without being subjected to the most abhorrent and evil side of Halloween. I often find myself praying for November to come as quickly as possible.

This year, it’s become harder to avoid scary, demonic elements on social media. Some of my Christian friends and acquaintances even posted things that make me cringe and delete. As usual, every controversial topic (such as Halloween) seems to bring out people’s mean nature.

I keep seeing a particular post about this season’s candy collecting custom that often incites an ugly, online word battle. I’ve seen this post in different forms; it basically declares that Jesus knows the difference between witchcraft and a child dressed as … a pumpkin, a witch, or whatever costume the person posting this declaration chooses.

Of course, this provocative post is meant to belittle people (specifically Christians) who believe Halloween is a demonic holiday that they choose not to celebrate. It supposedly emphasizes the innocence of children dressed in costumes and collecting candy. Evidently, that thought is widely accepted, since the Farmer’s Almanac claims that “roughly 35 million children in the US go trick-or-treating every year.”

And yes, the post is correct; our Savior certainly knows the difference between witchcraft and kids dressed up for Halloween. He knows everything, even the intent of our hearts, including the hearts of children, their parents, and the ones passing out candy. He also knows those who openly or secretly participate in witchcraft and the occultic realm and use it as a time to target innocent individuals. But Jesus also died for the sins of those involved (intentionally or not) in witchcraft.

But here’s the thing: knowledge and wisdom are very different things. Some of the smartest people on earth do the dumbest things. I would venture to say that hell will be home to many geniuses who claimed to know more than God.

So, for me, this social media post lacks depth and discernment. The whole discussion over whether or not Christians should participate in Halloween celebrations goes back to a couple of very similar and wisdom-filled verses from Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth:

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Cor. 6:12).

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify (1 Cor. 10:23).

In our home, this was the point in the discussion when I reminded my sons that the Bible highly recommends listening when the same message is repeated two or more times. But my boys also knew that their daddy veered more toward the philosophy of “don’t make me tell you twice.”

With that in mind, I keep pondering this social media post in light of God’s Word. Yes, He knows everything, but what does the Bible teach about our knowledge of questionable topics like Halloween?

Throughout the Bible, we read multiple accounts of God’s people encountering evil forces. Some of those forces were truly demonic; other encounters were a result of prideful refusal to listen to and obey God.

Think about Eve, King Saul, King Ahab, and King Nebuchadnezzar in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, remember Mary Magdalene, the Gadarene demoniac, Simon the magician, the seven sons of Sceva, and multiple people that Jesus delivered from demonic torment.

But if those stories seem too far-fetched in comparison to a child on a Trick or Treat adventure, then bring it back to Jesus – the One who admittedly knows the difference between witchcraft and a child in a witch costume.

Granted, our Savior never backed away from Satan or his minions. Jesus purposefully encountered people held captive by the enemy with the intentional purpose of healing and delivering them. But never once, as far as I can recall, did Jesus celebrate these demonic encounters. He rarely let the demons speak openly.

So, the real question is whether Jesus would send a little child into a home or situation in which that little one might encounter similar evil forces? Or whether He wants parents to allow, and, in turn, teach their child to celebrate or even give place to evil in any form or fashion?

I cannot answer that question for any children other than my own. But I can remind fellow Christians that 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV) instructs us to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

I can also share the well-tested wisdom of the late Dr. James Dobson on what Christian parents should tell their children about Halloween.

Dobson remarked that Halloween is different from other holidays, such as Christmas, because it can be traced directly to paganism. He also understood Christian apprehension over Halloween’s emphasis on the evil elements of the occult.

He even went as far as declaring there was no place in the Christian community for the “darker side” of Halloween. But he also recognized a place for harmless fun in our communities, if the experience focused on harmless character costumes.

Dobson wisely ended his remarks with these words:

Let me add, again, that I’ve given you my personal opinion. I realize that the topic is controversial among committed Christians, and I’m sensitive to the reasons for their misgivings. My final word to parents on the subject would be “Stay true to your own convictions.”

Finally, no social media keyboard warrior should be our source of conviction. But John 16:8 agrees that the Holy Spirit alone knows the difference between our “own convictions” and the truth about Halloween: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.”

Yep, He knows the difference.

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