Light the night on Halloween

Some Christians hate Halloween. They point to its ancient pagan roots and cry "witchcraft!" They see kids dressed like witches, vampires and sorcerers and homes decorated with jack-o’lanterns, ghosts, and skulls and cringe in disgust.

There are those who turn off the porch light and dim the inside lights in hopes that the neighborhood kids will think they're not home. "No trick-or-treating here."

Christians are called to be salt and light in the world. Should we hide that light under a bushel one night a year? Jesus calls us to be his witnesses in difficult and, uncomfortable places. Jesus said, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:15).

The issue of the occult on Halloween is serious. TV shows and movies reveal a continuing interest in the occult and contemporary practitioners of the occult (a very small number) claim this day as their own. We know that Satan is real and that he "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Pet 5:8). We also know that we are engaged in spiritual warfare "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph 12). But Halloween is not a night to surrender and declare to be "Satan's Day." God did not give Satan a holiday; neither should the church! The Bible teaches, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom 12:21).

On Halloween night more of your neighbors are out and open to contact than on any other night of the year. Their children are coming right to your door. Children don't know anything about witches or Satan. They just know that they get to dress up and get free candy. It's the only time they can accept candy from strangers.

Light up your house and yard. Make it the brightest spot in your neighborhood. Get out and interact with your neighbors. Offer prayer or a blessing for every child that comes to your door. Hand out candy with a smile and a kind word, maybe even a tract. Be a blessing on this night and make Satan hide.

Imagine the impact of every Christian in the nation lighting up their homes on Halloween? If Halloween night is dark it's because the light is not on!