This is a question I’ve been asking myself for the last couple weeks.
At first, I brushed it off, but the closer Halloween came, the clearer it became that God was asking me to sit this one out. Not to judge anyone else’s choice, but to be obedient to what He was showing me.
No decorations, no costumes, no going door-to-door begging for candy, and as a mom, this part hurts. My kids love dressing up, and I didn’t want to take away their fun.
It wasn’t an easy decision (the kids were definitely bummed), but I’m trusting that choosing obedience over tradition is always worth it.
“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice…” — 1 Samuel 15:22 NLT
And obedience isn’t measured by how “strict” it looks — it’s about a willing heart. God meets us right where we are!
So Halloween will look a little different for us. I’ve got a cozy family movie night planned and I’ll still let my kids enjoy candy at home.
Yes, we’re skipping the Halloween festivities this year and in the future, but we’re not ignoring the day; we’re redeeming it!
But if I give my kids candy aren’t we still “celebrating” Halloween?
The truth of the matter is, God convicts us all differently. Romans 14 talks about this beautifully — that one person’s conviction may differ from another’s, but both can still honor God if their heart is to please Him.
“Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.” – Romans 14:22-23 NLT
If you sense God telling you not to participate in the holiday itself (decor, trick-or-treating, celebration), but you still want to bless your kids with sweetness and joy at home, that’s still obedience because your heart is surrendered.
I’m already choosing to honor God by saying no to the aspects that troubled my spirit. Giving my kids a few treats as we enjoy family time is simply redeeming the evening — filling that space with love, not darkness.
And that’s not celebration of the holiday, that’s love and parenting with compassion.
Train Up A Child
The Bible is clear in Proverbs 22:6 that we are to train up our children in the way that they should go, but as parents we don’t always get this right.
I made a mistake allowing my children to participate in Halloween. Now they are heartbroken and feel a little left out, but I will not beat myself up about that. I will not allow mom guilt to seep in and overtake me.
Even though, at the end of the day, Halloween is just a day on the calendar, this is the hardest part about being a Christian! Because we are called to be in the world, but not of it.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
I truly believe that God used this holiday to reveal to me that just as I am teaching my children, He is still teaching me.
Giving me a new mind; prioritizing obedience over comfort.
Giving me a new heart; trusting Him even in the small cultural moments.
Giving me a new spirit; choosing peace over popularity.
So I will trade my mom guilt for His grace knowing that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. And my prayer will be that God helps me to live a more Christ-centered life in a world that prioritizes consumerism.
Have you felt conflicted about celebrating Halloween too?
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