6 Ways to Take the Power Away from Satan This Halloween
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
By Vivian Bricker, Crosswalk.com
When we think of Halloween, we often think of horror, fright, and gore. Although this is what the world has ascribed to Halloween, it doesn’t have to be this way. Halloween can be fun and whimsical without all the scary features that have often been associated with it. My mother used to ensure Halloween was always full of joy and happiness rather than fear.
I remember having cute raccoon-themed Halloween decorations covering the walls of our home. The raccoons were dressed up in various Halloween costumes, with my favorite being a raccoon dressed up as a bandit. To this day, I remember these wholesome decorations and associate Halloween with fun and happy memories.
My dad has also always loved Halloween, which has given me a special appreciation for it. He loves the hayrides, the feeling of the season, and the festivities. None of the ways we celebrated were connected with evil or darkness.
If you want to celebrate Halloween this year but you’re unsure, know that it doesn’t have to be associated with evil, darkness, or the devil. Instead, it can be a time of gratitude for the changing of the season and making fun memories with those around you. Here are six ways we can take the power away from Satan this Halloween:
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1. Make It Wholesome
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” (Titus 2:7).
If we are going to take the power away from Satan this Halloween, we need to make it wholesome. As I discussed above, start making Halloween fun, whimsical, and family-friendly.
In truth, it doesn’t need to be anything more than that. There doesn’t need to be evil, horror, and darkness associated with Halloween. Hang up cute animals dressed up in costumes, watch kid-friendly Halloween movies, and spend time with your loved ones.
If you are married and have children, you can even match costumes with them to join in the fun of dressing up. My family and I all went as Hobbits one year! Plan on coordinating your costumes with your kids; it is sure to be a hit and will help them see Halloween in a positive, wholesome light.
2. Steer Away from Anything Scary
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
The devil likes to hide behind anything scary or frightening, as it is a way to instill fear into our hearts. It’s essential to know yourself, and even if we think we aren’t bothered by anything that is commercially frightening, it has the potential to open the door and let fear in.
While my mom and dad were dating, she was obsessed with horror movies. However, her fascination ended after they saw “The Exorcist III.”
This film struck a chord with her, and afterward, my mom renounced horror movies and never watched them again. Because of this, we never watched horror movies growing up; personally, I am thankful for this, as it spared me from any unwanted memories or fears I might have developed. I believe that if we do our best to steer away from any horror that truly scares us, it can help us take away Satan’s power to instill fear.
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3. Cease the Association Between Halloween and Horror
“And do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27).
Taking the power away from Satan is also found in eliminating our association between this holiday and the devil. While many parents and individuals choose to stay away from Halloween in general because they don’t feel it aligns with a Christian worldview, that doesn’t have to dictate how we celebrate it as believers. Rather than simply associating it with horror, sin, or the devil, we can shed light on Halloween by making it fun, holy, and righteous.
The more we lean into a new definition of Halloween, the more we will be able to separate it from any connotations associated with the holiday. Horror doesn’t have to define Halloween unless we let it.
4. Opt for Light Rather Than Darkness
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
Light always outshines the darkness. When Jesus is present, the devil has to flee. This is what we are doing when we take the power away from Satan at Halloween. By including Christ in our celebrations, we will help Satan’s influence become less potent. Jesus will always be more powerful than Satan, and that will never change. As David says, “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Proverbs 18:28).
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5. Focus on Family-Friendly Activities
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
Rather than focusing on the darker themes of Halloween, concentrate instead on the lighthearted themes that are enjoyable for the entire family. Click here for a list of non-scary activities that the whole family can enjoy!
Reflect upon your own childhood memories of Halloween. If you have any fun traditions you'd like to pass along or continue celebrating each year, do so! These activities can bring our hearts back to a wholesome and complete place rather than one of fear.
6. Equip Our Hearts with Discernment
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
If we are struggling to take the power away from Satan this Halloween, we need to ask the Lord to equip our hearts with discernment. By having a discerning heart, we will be able to separate evil from holiness. Many things associated with Halloween might seem like harmless fun, but if they pull us away from God, then they are very harmful to us. If anything brings us away from God, we need to reject it.
With that being said, these were just a few ways we can work towards taking the power away from Satan this Halloween. Remember that God is all-powerful, and every single thing you invite Him into – even Halloween – becomes another way we can bring honor to Him and light into our lives!
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