Long before the word Halloween ever existed, the ancient Celtic peoples observed a festival called Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). It was celebrated on October 31st, marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the “dark half” of the year. The Celts believed that on this night, the barrier between the living and the dead grew thin, allowing spirits to cross into the world of men.
Fires were lit to honor the sun god and ward off evil spirits. Food offerings were left out to appease wandering souls. People disguised themselves in animal skins and grotesque masks, hoping to confuse or frighten the spirits away. Druids, the pagan priests of the Celts, performed sacrifices and divinations to predict the coming winter.
Although the Bible does not mention the Celtic people or Samhain directly, it does condemn the practices:
“And there shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” (Deuteronomy 18:10)
From its very beginning, Samhain was rooted in fear, superstition, and spirit worship. It was not an innocent celebration of harvest, it was a night of death and communion/”>communion with the dead. God forbid His people from these practices because they opened doors to demons/”>demonic influence and deception.
Death, Darkness, and the Spirits of the Night
The ancient Celts viewed winter as the season of death. Samhain marked that passage, symbolically and spiritually. Bonfires (originally called “bone fires”) were lit for protection, but they also served as ritual sites for animal and sometimes human sacrifice. Archaeological evidence shows remnants of burned bones, offerings, and symbols associated with their sun deity and underworld gods.
These fires were believed to protect the tribe from evil and ensure fertility and prosperity, an ancient form of appeasing demons through ritual. These practices are mention in the Bible:
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.” (Psalm 106:37)
The Celts believed their gods demanded these offerings. In turn, they expected protection and blessing for the coming season. This cycle of fear-based religion echoes the very heart of paganism: serving darkness to avoid destruction.
While modern Halloween participants aren’t sacrificing at bonfires, the holiday still exalts the same symbols… death, spirits, and fear. The imagery of skeletons, ghosts, zombies, and witches are not accidental; they are direct descendants of Samhain’s spiritual worldview.
Even the fascination with monsters and horror reflects a spiritual curiosity about darkness. God’s people are told to separate from the unfruitful works of darkness. Not to dress like them, celebrate with them, or find pleasure in their stories.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
The Transition to “All Hallows’ Eve”
Centuries later, as Christianity and Catholicism spread through Europe, the Roman Catholic Church attempted to redirect pagan festivals into Christian observances. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day (originally on May 13) to honor Christian martyrs. But by the 9th century, Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1st, likely as a strategy to replace Samhain.
The night before (October 31st) became known as All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before the day of the saints. Yet, rather than replacing Samhain, the Catholic Church’s attempt actually merged the two traditions. Pagan and Catholic customs intertwined, creating a blend of prayers for the dead (not biblical), superstitious fear of spirits, and remembrance of the faithful departed.
Many of those same rituals persist today: lighting candles for spirits, dressing in costumes, and using turnip lanterns (the early “jack-o’-lanterns”) to ward off evil spirits. The line between remembrance and superstition was blurred, and All Hallows’ Eve became a strange fusion of fear and religion, which is what we now call Halloween.
The Dark Symbols That Remain
Today, people say, “It’s just about candy and costumes.” But the imagery tells a different story. Halloween remains steeped in themes of death, evil, and the supernatural.
Everywhere you look, homes are decorated with tombstones, skeletons, ghosts, demons, witches, vampires, and ghouls. Children dress up as monsters, murderers, and sorcerers. Movies celebrate witchcraft, from family-friendly films like Hocus Pocus to explicit satanic portrayals.
Even the phrase “trick or treat” has dark origins. It comes from medieval superstition and the ancient belief that spirits roamed the earth that night. People would leave out food or gifts to appease them… the “treat.” If not satisfied, it was believed those spirits would curse them… the “trick.”
In medieval times, “souling” involved the poor visiting homes offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. Again, mingling spiritual practice with superstition. Over time, it evolved into children dressing up and demanding treats, but the spiritual origin remains: appeasing the spirits of the dead.
Though today it’s considered “fun,” the spiritual imagery of fear, darkness, sorcery, and death still stand in direct contrast to the Kingdom of Light.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)
“You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)
The Deception of “Innocent Fun”
The enemy’s strategy has never changed, he disguises darkness as harmless. When something is wrapped in humor or nostalgia, it seems less dangerous. But when we desensitize ourselves and our children to what God calls evil, we lose the sharpness of discernment.
Halloween is not neutral. It glorifies the very things Christ came to destroy: death, fear, and the works of the devil.
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
To celebrate darkness, even in jest, is to forget that darkness was conquered at the Cross.
Halloween’s roots are undeniably pagan. It began with rituals that sought communion with the dead and protection from spirits. Over time, those practices were disguised beneath Catholic observance and later secular fun, but the heart of it has never changed. And while most people celebrate it without evil intent, the themes and symbols of Halloween continue to glorify darkness, fear, and death… things that stand in opposition to the life and light of Christ.
As believers, we are not called to fear the holiday, but neither should we fellowship with it. Our call is to discern, separate, and shine.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
The Modern Face of Halloween
Modern culture paints Halloween as harmless fun, with children in costumes, candy-filled neighborhoods, and family entertainment. Yet beneath the surface lies the same fascination with darkness that has always defined the season.
Our world now treats what is demonic as delightful. Costumes glorify witches, vampires, zombies, and demons. Entire neighborhoods decorate their homes with tombstones, skeletons, and severed heads. All this imagery is meant to amuse, but rooted is death and fear. Movie marathons glorify murder and occult power. Even “innocent” family films such as Harry Potter or The Nightmare Before Christmas normalize witchcraft and spiritual darkness as whimsical, and even good.
The Bible gives a stark warning:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20)
What many view as entertainment still exalts the very things God condemns: witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, and the celebration of death. Modern Halloween may not involve open sacrifice, but it still promotes the same themes that defined its origin: fear, deception, and mockery of the holy.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
As followers of Christ, we must ask: why would those redeemed by light participate in a celebration of darkness?
Desensitizing the Saints
The most subtle danger of Halloween is not in its overt evil, but in its normalization. What once shocked the conscience now entertains it. The enemy’s greatest tactic is not open opposition, it’s quiet compromise.
When Christians treat darkness as harmless, they begin to lose spiritual discernment. Fear becomes funny, witchcraft becomes trendy, and the occult becomes part of pop culture.
As Christians, we are called to:
“Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)
We cannot both laugh at what God hates and walk in His holiness. We are called to hate sin… not with pride, but with purity. To see evil as God sees it, and to refuse to make peace with it.
Halloween offers a clear test of that conviction. Do we simply blend in to avoid standing out? Or do we choose holiness, even when it’s unpopular?
The Church’s Response: Outreach or Imitation?
Many churches, desiring to engage their communities, have replaced Halloween with Trunk-or-Treats or Fall Festivals. The motive is often good… to offer a safe place for families, to connect with unbelievers, and to present the Gospel. And yet, even good intentions must be weighed with discernment.
When the church mirrors the world’s methods too closely, it risks losing its message. If the world celebrates death and we only change the decorations, have we truly offered something different? Paul reminds us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
There is a fine line between outreach and imitation. The church’s mission is to call people out of darkness, not decorate the darkness with pumpkins and call it ministry.
That said, there is also opportunity in the season. While we do not join in the celebration of evil, we can still use the night to shine the light of truth. For many families, Halloween is the one night of the year when their neighbors literally come to their door. What a perfect chance to share the Gospel.
Christians can redeem the evening without participating in its spirit, offering candy with Gospel tracts, showing kindness, and praying for those who knock. The issue is not the calendar date, but the heart posture. We need to:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Redeeming the Season
If we desire to celebrate the harvest without glorifying death, we can focus on gratitude and creation rather than fear and the grave. Host a Harvest Festival that celebrates God’s provision, the beauty of autumn, and the joy of fellowship. Fill it with Scripture, worship, and thanksgiving.
What matters most is that Christ remains at the center, not culture.
For some believers, that means staying home in prayer and worship on Halloween night. For others, it means handing out tracts with love. Both can be holy if done with the right heart.
Paul’s counsel in Romans 14 is fitting:
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)
It is not about legalism, it comes down to conviction. The Spirit may lead each believer differently, but He will never lead us to celebrate what God calls evil.
The Call to Discernment
We must remember that spiritual warfare is real. The unseen world is not a game, and the enemy does not take Halloween lightly. When the culture celebrates fear and death, the powers of darkness are truly at work behind the veil.
Christians, therefore, must be sober-minded and watchful.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
This does not mean we fear Halloween, it means we stay alert. We cannot fight darkness by pretending it’s not there; we overcome it by walking boldly in the light.
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
My Final Thoughts
Halloween, through its history and imagery, celebrates darkness. Yet the believer’s calling is clear: to walk as children of light.
The goal is not fear, judgment, or isolation… it is discernment. Some may choose to shut their doors and worship; others may hand out candy with tracts. The important question is this: does what I’m doing glorify Christ or does it imitate the world?
God never said, “Hide from the darkness,” but He did say, “Expose it.” (Ephesians 5:11)
He never said, “Blend in with the world,” but He did say, “Be separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Whether you avoid the night or use it to evangelize, do it in purity, prayer, and the power of the Spirit. Let every word, decoration, and action proclaim that the Light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
“For the light of the world is Jesus.” (John 8:12)
