Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. -2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. – 2 Timothy 4:4-5 (NIV)
Halloween is a polarizing day for Christians. You either get dressed up and take part in it, or you want to have nothing to do with it.
In this agent’s opinion, Halloween represents a day and evangelistic opportunity like any other day for Christians, because we live among unbelievers. They’re everywhere, and we’re entrenched in this world of unbelievers to show them God’s truth…and possibly lead them to accepting it, if it’s in His will.
The passages above are written to Timothy from Paul, who was in prison at the end of his life. Paul exhorted Timothy to always be ready to preach the word.
Halloween is a missed opportunity if we avoid the very culture in which we’re engrained. We can still intermingle with Halloween celebrants, and even dress up for fun, without obviously compromising Christian ideals. We don’t have to worship idols or take part in any ceremonies that fly in the face of our respect for the Lord.
This is a topic I’m encountering with my child, whom I will let dress up for fun…but not limit it to one particular day a year. They can dress up any time they want, which is one of the great benefits of being a kid! For the other kids who come dressed up to our door, who will likely be of many different faiths, we can distribute bible verses or other Christian messages tied to each piece of candy.
Every day, we walk and talk with nonbelievers. Halloween is no different. Every day we work alongside them, eat alongside them, and socialize with them. Halloween is just another day for us to let them know God’s truth surpasses anything else of this world.
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