Halloween Unmasked
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
You’ve likely enjoyed some aspect of Halloween in the past—perhaps watching your kids dress as beloved characters, a cozy hayride, a trip to the pumpkin patch, a school celebration, or simply indulging in a favorite treat.
Yet you’ve also witnessed its darker side: yards adorned with skeletons and gravestones, stores stocked with masks of witches, ghosts, and demons, and media glorifying fear and the occult.
So how should you view this holiday?
More crucially, what does God think of Halloween!
Holiday Origins
Halloween traces back to ancient pagan practices, especially the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”).
This was no child-friendly event. It was a solemn religious ritual signaling the end of harvest and the onset of winter—a time linked to death. The ancient Celts believed that on October 31, the veil between the living and the dead thinned, permitting spirits to wander freely. To appease or repel them, people kindled bonfires, donned disguises, and offered food sacrifices.
Later, the Roman Catholic Church sought to overlay these pagan customs with Christianity by instituting All Saints’ Day on November 1, transforming October 31 into All Hallows’ Eve—eventually abbreviated to Halloween.
From a biblical viewpoint, the source of a tradition is critical. God explicitly instructs His people against adopting practices tied to false religion:
Deuteronomy 12:30-31
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Through Jeremiah 10:2-3, He warns:
Jermiah 10:2-3
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
These passages emphasize that God views a custom’s origins and its practice as inseparable. If rooted in idolatry, He forbids participation, regardless of how meanings have evolved.
Vain Customs
God never ordained Halloween, but He did establish His own Holy Days in Leviticus 23, such as Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles—appointed times designed for His people.
Jesus Christ cautioned against substituting divine commands with human, pagan-influenced traditions: “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”
Mark 7:7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
The Greek term for “vain” implies futility—according to lexical sources like Strong’s and Mounce, it suggests “fruitless effort,” “folly,” or worship “to no avail.”
Put simply, any attempt to honor God that incorporates pagan elements renders the worship empty. Sincerity aside, it yields no eternal value.
This ties directly to Halloween’s foundations. Its rituals stem from beliefs God condemns. Though rebranded, softened, or labeled “Christian” over centuries, their origins persist unchanged. God advises:
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
In His eyes, even the appearance of endorsing darkness—through scary costumes or inherited customs from false worship—should be shunned. Modern participants may ignore ancient Samhain, but the roots endure.
If your aim is to glorify God, does Halloween truly embody acceptable worship?
What Halloween Praises
Halloween’s origins alone disqualify it in God’s sight. But even ignoring history, its modern themes clash with His principles.
Consider October’s ubiquitous imagery: witches, demons, vampires, goblins, ghosts filling neighborhoods, shelves, and screens. These aren’t mere decorations—they trivialize spiritual evil as entertainment.
God directs His followers:
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
“Reprove” means to reveal and rebuke—not to partake in or celebrate what opposes Scripture. While you’re not to judge others, you must guide your own conduct and your family’s.
Even “innocent” costumes like superheroes, princesses, or animals tie you to a festival steeped in fear, superstition, and death. This confuses, especially for impressionable children learning biblical values.
Parents, reflect: What norms is your child absorbing? When thrills, sweets, and peer fun intertwine with death and occult symbols, what worldview forms?
Scripture warns:
Isaiah 5:20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Halloween reframes biblical evil as playful.
God’s Authority
If God urges avoidance of darkness, what should replace it? The Bible contrasts sharply:
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
God’s call isn’t merely negative; it’s proactive.
Philippians 4:8 instructs:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Meditate on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
By this measure, Halloween fails—focusing on fear and the occult rather than purity or loveliness.
God desires His people to shine as lights in the world
Matt. 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Distinctly reflecting His nature through traditions that honor Him, not those glorifying evil.
The True Choice
Annually, Bible-believing individuals grapple with Halloween. They dread isolating their children or straining relationships with loved ones or neighbors.
Yet God elevates His people:
1 Pet. 2:9-10
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Authentic faith means separating from popular customs that exalt what God deems evil, even if cloaked in fun.
Ask yourself: If Jesus knocked on your door this October 31, could you confidently share your plans? Does your example lead toward His light or the darkness He commands us to flee?
God declares:
Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
The path is evident. Abandon traditions born of darkness. Embrace what mirrors God’s truth—and instill the same in your children.