Great question.

First, let’s talk demeanor.

I’ve learned to avoid extremes and to respond, not react—sober-minded, grounded in the Word, and led by the Spirit. It’s important to know what the Bible says, while showing love, patience, and kindness as we seek to glorify the Lord in everything we do.

In this particular instance, Scripture does not directly tell Christians whether they should or shouldn’t participate in Halloween.

The Bible teaches clearly about light and darkness, not loving the ways of the world, putting away worldly passions, avoiding evil, and guarding against the schemes of the devil. But it does not specifically address trick-or-treating for two hours on October 31.

Because of that, I believe this can potentially fall into the category of what Romans 14 calls a disputable matter, a non-essential issue where Scripture does not give us a direct command.

The specific issues Paul addresses in Romans 14 involve disagreements over food (vv. 2–3) and the observance of certain days (vv. 5–6), with wine also mentioned in verse 21. His larger point is incredibly relevant: believers can have different convictions while still honoring the Lord.

And that means we have to temper our convictions with love.

I would be careful about assuming someone’s position on Halloween automatically tells us how spiritually mature they are. All of us are being sanctified. As we grow in discipleship, our convictions about certain things may change. But faithful Christians can sometimes examine the same disputable issue and reach different conclusions.

So we must never automatically assume someone’s motives. We must never approach people with hypocritical judgment. And we must never lead with condemnation.

If a Christian wants to celebrate Halloween, genuinely asking why is a great place to start.

When I first became a Christian, I didn’t even think about it. I participated because it’s what we had always done.

But interestingly, before even bringing my faith into it, I personally stopped wanting to participate in Halloween for three other reasons.

1. Dressing up isn’t my favorite thing to do.

I don’t want to wear a costume.

And honestly, I think it’s hilarious how much time and effort I used to put into it. I once spent $100 on a full chicken costume!

I struggled wearing a uniform with a ridiculous-looking visor for work. I don’t even want to wear a thick cotton T-shirt that doesn’t fit right just because someone gives it to me at a fundraiser and I’m supposed to match the other volunteers.

I’m set in my ways. Give me my True Classic T-shirts and joggers!

I don’t think it’s weird if other people dress up. I just personally, typically, don’t want to.

“But you don’t have to dress up.”

True.

2. Health-wise, passing out piles of candy to kids sears my conscience.

And when I was a kid, I HATED the house that gave me an apple, so I’m not going to become one of those weirdos!

My kids would probably be allowed to keep three pieces of candy, give me one Twix because those were my favorite, and then we’d have to figure out what to do with the rest of their sugar-crack-filled pillow sacks.

“But you don’t have to keep the candy. You could just walk around because it’s fun to be with your friends.”

Also true.

3. I’m not a fan of the dark.

At this particular time in our culture, a lot surrounding Halloween is very dark.

Yes, Halloween can absolutely be lighthearted in certain environments. There are kids dressed as superheroes and princesses having fun with their families.

But there’s also no denying how much of the culture surrounding Halloween emphasizes horror, death, ghosts, demons, monsters, zombies, gore, fear, and the occult. Look at the decorations in stores. Listen to the themes. Scroll through the movies being promoted.

Even simply as a conscientious person who understands that what we repeatedly expose our minds and emotions to affects us, much of that doesn’t appeal to me as entertainment.

Now, this is where my faith in Jesus layers in and begins leading my convictions.

Three truths:

First: There is freedom in Christ.

Second: Just because I can do something doesn’t necessarily mean I should.

Third: Just because someone chooses not to participate in Halloween doesn’t mean they think they’re better than someone who does.

If something is disputable, questionable, or especially conflicting in your heart, don’t ignore that tension.

Dive into it.

Pray about it. Study Scripture. Seek godly counsel.

If you don’t have peace about participating, I think that matters.

And if you are fully convinced before the Lord that you can participate with a clear conscience, then I think it’s wise to be intentional about why and how you participate.

Either way, don’t just operate from ignorance or, “Well, this is what we’ve always done.”

A. Know what’s out there.

Christians should take the reality of spiritual warfare seriously.

Scripture clearly teaches that evil is real, Satan is real, demonic forces are real, and believers shouldn’t casually entertain occult practices.

No, I don’t think a demon is going to latch onto your child because they walked past a pumpkin.

And I don’t believe you’re opening some spiritual portal simply by walking around your neighborhood.

But I do believe Christians should be discerning about what we expose ourselves and our children to.

If one of my kids wanted to go trick-or-treating, I’m not entirely opposed to it. But I want them to understand that there are things we can participate in with a clear conscience (fun, playful themes, enjoying neighbors and friends), and other things we don’t need to mess with.

Ouija boards? Absolutely not.

Occult practices? Nope.

Celebrating or pretending to engage with demonic activity? No way!

They need to understand spiritual warfare without being terrified of it.

Paul warns us:

“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

—Ephesians 4:26–27

In context, Paul is talking specifically about sinful anger. But the principle reminds me not to casually give sin opportunities to gain ground in my life.

And here’s the other side: we don’t live in fear.

There is power in the name of Jesus.

Christians sometimes spend so much time worrying about what the enemy might do that we forget who Christ is and who we belong to.

I’m not going to live terrified that a demon is going to pop out of a jack-o’-lantern!

We’re told to put on the armor of God and stand firm. Our feet are to be “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

So yes, technically speaking, a Christian can intentionally walk into a dark environment and be light in the darkness.

But that brings me to the real question:

If I’m going to participate because I say I’m being the light, how am I actually going to be intentional about it?

B. Be intentional.

If I claim I’m participating in Halloween because I want to “be the light,” then I should actually think about what being the light looks like.

Some people have really great ideas.

Honestly? I don’t!

I don’t have the time, energy, or desire in this particular season of life to create some elaborate Halloween outreach.

Am I going to pass out gospel tracts? Little Jesus figures? Put a Scripture with every piece of candy? Play Christian music? Put Scripture signs in the yard? Hand out Bibles or invitations to church?

Some people do those things, and that’s phenomenal.

There’s also one major problem with that strategy for us:

We live in the country. Nobody trick-or-treats on our street!

So that leads me to another question:

What can I do?

C. Ask what God is leading YOU to do.

As disciples who have been sent on mission, I constantly encourage people to look at their lives and ask:

How can I intentionally use the people, time, resources, opportunities, and circumstances God has given me right now?

For us, we currently have a facility we can open for an event.

We have a large network of people who would enjoy gathering October 31 for something lighter, family-oriented, and Christ-focused.

That’s something we can do.

That’s how we can serve in this particular season of life.

We’re not worried about what everybody else is doing.

We’re not trying to convince everybody that they must or must not participate in Halloween.

We’re trying to stay focused on the assignment God has given us, while sharing biblical perspectives with people who genuinely want to wrestle through these questions.

And that brings us right back to Romans 14.

Paul writes:

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

—Romans 14:19

Jesus says:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

—John 13:35

You don’t have to be right, and you definitely don’t have to fight.

If disagreement over Halloween causes you to become hostile toward a brother or sister in Christ, it’s probably time for a heart check.

Gossip, slander, malice, condemnation, and bitterness have no place in the church.

God detests stirring up conflict (Proverbs 6:19). And even if my theological argument is brilliant, without love I’m nothing more than “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Healthy discussion? Absolutely.

Ask questions.

Listen more than you speak.

Seek to understand before demanding to be understood.

And whatever you decide about October 31, Romans 14:5 gives us an important principle:

“Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

Be convinced before God.

Not because your flesh wants something.

Not because another Christian pressured you.

Not because you’re afraid of what people might think.

And definitely not simply because the culture says, “This is what everybody does.”

Ask the Lord.

Seek Him.

Follow Him.

Because ultimately:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

—Galatians 1:10

That’s my take on Halloween.

Not fear.

Not condemnation.

Not compromise.

Discernment. Conviction. Intentionality. And above all, love.

-Coach Theo