Posted on 10/19/2018 8:33:25 PM PDT by Patriot777
If the title looks plain idiotic, it's not. On October 31, many who identify as being believers in Christ Jesus will actually do just that. Their church may have a spooky "trunk or treat" or festival, or a costume contest and they'll take their kids to it. This year the costumes will be even more horrific than the last, but it's all in fun. No. If you or your church participate in the celebration of Satan's day, you are in league with the Evil One and are not truly a Child of the Living God--Jesus. Get yourself and your family out of that church, repent and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord or recommit your lives to the Lord, and find a church that does follow Christ and teaches the whole Bible. If there is any gathering at any church on the 31st, it should be to pray for the protection and safety of our law enforcement, first responders, our fellow believers, missionaries, our loved ones and thank our Savior that He indeed is coming quickly. My beloved FRiends, I love you in Christ Jesus.
It's your beliefs that are weak if you don't think Christians can wisely turn a secular/pagan celebration into an opportunity to preach the gospel. What are you afraid of?
My pastor for YEARS has used the celebration of Halloween to reach children in the area with the gospel that might not have been exposed to because their parents don't take them to church. Anyone so legalistic as not to see the wisdom in that is the one with insecure faith.
And, BTW, if you have sincerely accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you have secured a spot in heaven. Salvation is a free gift that doesn't have to be earned.
Just like Christmas originally was pagan holiday and celebration before Constantine made it a celebration of Jesus Christ's birthday?
Most Christian churches that hold trunk or treats are doing something similar -- taking a secular/pagan day and turning it into a community outreach, They should be congratulated.
It's good, not evil, for Christian kids to have an alternative and for Halloween to be used a community outreach to the lost.
It's more dangerous to deny kids a fun day at this time of the year, make them feel like they are missing out and, potentially, drive them away from God.
Whose doing that by having a trunk or treat? It's essentially a Christian alternative to Halloween where churches reach kids in a community with the gospel and an opportunity to go to church.
Those Christians are smarter than the ones making Christian kids feel like they are missing out.
But, I don't particular care if a kid goes out trick or treating on Halloween. It had no negative impact on me. My parents were Christians and weren't celebrating anything evil. To deny me the opportunity to do that is what potentially would have harmed me. It would have left the impression that Christianity is so legalistic that it stifled all the fun out of life. Legalism (adding to God's laws) drives people away from the Christ.
Popping popcorn, baking pumpkin casserole, dipping caramel apples,or making apple pie, getting the fun movie lineup. Would love to be on a FR Happy Halloween thread should one pop up. It is what is in the heart that matters when you do anything. I intend on having a very Happy Halloween.
I’d certainly be in prayer that the Lord might show us ways to use the occasion (”Redeeming the time”) to exalt Christ as God has equipped us.
That might mean Christian themed decorations. That might mean “God bless you” rather than “Trick or treat” rounds. That might mean just sitting it out and praying, if we aren’t spiritually prepared to do more.
It’s not a question of being able to evade the love of Calvary. It’s a question of best serving the Lord. There’s a point in a Christian walk when one begins to be surprised by seeing supernatural blessings. At that point, the Lord will begin to show more jealousy too, as we don’t have an excuse for doubt.
There could be good things in “trunk-or-treats.” I am not cursing them. The question is how to progress from good to better. One possibility could be a “Victory Night.”
I believe we should have a wise, prayerful discussion about this, but admittedly that’s kind of hard when we got folks (not saying you, FPO, but some others are obvious) scoffing in our midst.
I’m not going to damn “partial” solutions like the trunk-or-treat. I am going to urge a progress to better solutions. I believe we have the knowledge and means to do better. There’s a point, like you said, where in the Spirit we want to stop just lounging around the vineyard, as well as that has served as an appetizer entrance, because better possibilities have begun to thrill our hearts with hope.
I really can’t help you.
HiTech - That said, the need to be wise is always there.
Kazan - It would have left the impression that Christianity is so legalistic that it stifled all the fun out of life.
The job of the Church is to preach the Gospel of Christ, Haloween is not his gospel.
In many Churches you can listen for an hour and hear very few words of the gospel.
But i guess hearing the gospel is the farthest thing from peoples mind and like every thing else they use these poor mistreated kids ( sarc )as an excuse to preach anything except the gospel.
I am not being Judgemental here, i believe it is a fact that in order to hear all of the Gospel you might have to go to at least a half dozen Churches because most Churches has their pet interests that they put before the actual gospel.
Mathew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Jesus`s words are the gospel.
Haloween is just a minor thing but it don`t stop there, if some one preaches against homosexual marriage he is accused of of being too legalistic.
we dont “worship the dead”, we MOCK it with stupid Halloween crap. C’mon dude, there is a big difference here..
Defending Halloween is defending against those that pretend to be religious and would bring back the Salem witch trials book burnings, and the religious Inquisition.
Hypocritical sinners.
On that we can both agree.
Have a nice life.
¶ Deu 18:9 - When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not
learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
Deu 18:10 - There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deu 18:11 - Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu 18:12 - For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these
abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/deu/18/10/s_171010
Lighten up and pick and choose what to believe from God’s Word, and be unfit for every good work. The church in America is full of 1,000-pound Christians who can barely move a limb spiritually. If someone really believes they were delivered from a fate like being stuck in the burning Twin Towers in an eternally unending 9/11, they would take a proper approach to God and not mock Him and His Word and also want to be ready and able to help others escape that fate and to help Jesus in any way possible, according to His will for us, to destroy the works of the devil. Do you believe in completely and entiring giving up your will to God’s?
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1
No. I know the Lord as my Savior.
I hope so too. Amen.
Or are you saying that the OP is God?
That is a very dangerous path to go down.
“Satan wants people to either disbelieve him or fear him.” That’s not at all what’s happening, or Satan’s relationship to Halloween. Do you believe it’s necessary to completely submit your will to God’s?
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