Each year, as October 31st approaches, many Christians decorate their homes, dress their children in costumes, and call it “harmless fun.” Churches host “trunk or treat” events under the guise of safety and family entertainment. But let’s be honest, just because something is socially acceptable doesn’t mean it’s spiritually acceptable.
I’ve had the spiritual interactions with demons that many Christians never will. And because of that, I’ll never again open a window for the enemy to enter, not even for one night of “fun.” Former satanic priest John Ramirez says it best: “You can’t drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21)
He knows firsthand what happens in the spirit realm when believers compromise.
Halloween isn’t harmless. It’s an open invitation.
Let’s walk through Scripture and see how God has consistently dealt with those who “dabbled” in what they thought was harmless darkness.
⚔️ 1. Saul and the Medium of Endor, 1 Samuel 28
When Saul could no longer hear from God, he turned to a witch to summon Samuel’s spirit.
The result? “So Saul died for his breach of faith… and also because he consulted a medium.” (1 Chronicles 10:13)
Lesson:
Desperation does not justify disobedience. Saul’s decision to blend faith with forbidden practices cost him his life. Seeking spiritual answers outside of God’s voice is rebellion in disguise.
🕯️ 2. Simon the Sorcerer, Acts 8:9–24
Simon tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit after living a life of sorcery. Peter rebuked him sharply:
“Your money perish with you, because you thought the gift of God could be purchased.”
Lesson:
Even a believer can carry residue from old ways. You can’t merge darkness with divine power. The two don’t mix.
🐍 3. Pharaoh’s Magicians, Exodus 7–8
When Moses performed miracles, Pharaoh’s magicians mimicked them, until their power failed.
Then they admitted, “This is the finger of God.”
Lesson:
Satan’s power is real, but it’s counterfeit and limited. The moment people entertain imitation, deception follows.
👑 4. Jezebel and Her False Prophets, 1 Kings 18
Jezebel’s prophets practiced spiritual seduction, mixing false prophecy, manipulation, and sensuality.
Elijah’s confrontation wasn’t just against idol worship; it was against demonic influence posing as religion.
Lesson:
Demonic influence loves to wear a mask of faith. That’s why discernment is essential, and why darkness disguised as “fun” is still darkness.
🔮 5. Manasseh’s Witchcraft, 2 Kings 21
Manasseh practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and even sacrificed his son.
He brought demonic contamination into the temple of God.
Lesson:
When God’s people normalize forbidden customs, demonic influence moves from culture into covenant. The price is generational destruction.
🐐 6. The Golden Calf, Exodus 32
Israel didn’t think they were rejecting God. They said the golden calf represented Him.
They tried to blend holiness with pagan imagery.
Lesson:
Syncretism, blending truth and lies, is Satan’s most subtle strategy. You can’t sanctify what’s spiritually corrupt.
🧙♀️ 7. The Fortune-Telling Slave Girl, Acts 16
A girl possessed by a spirit of divination followed Paul, shouting truths about him.
Even though her words were accurate, her spirit was not. Paul cast it out.
Lesson:
The demonic doesn’t always speak lies, sometimes it speaks truth to gain trust.
This is why we test every spirit, because even “innocent fun” can carry unholy influence.
🔥 8. The Occult Book Burning, Acts 19:18–20
When new believers in Ephesus encountered Jesus’ power, they publicly burned their occult scrolls worth a fortune.
Lesson:
Repentance from darkness isn’t casual, it’s decisive. They didn’t sell or hide their old ways; they destroyed them to close every door.
🎭 “We’re Not Worshipping the Devil, We’re Just Having Fun”
That’s what most believers say. “We’re not sacrificing animals or casting spells, we’re just letting the kids dress up and get candy.”
But let’s be honest, that’s not the point.
The issue isn’t what you’re consciously doing, it’s what you’re spiritually participating in.
Ephesians 5:11 doesn’t say “avoid doing evil.” It says,
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
When you dress it up, participate in its traditions, and normalize its imagery, you’re not just having fun, you’re agreeing with its foundation.
And Halloween’s foundation was never about joy, purity, or gratitude, it was about fear, death, and appeasing spirits. You can’t baptize that into holiness with candy and costumes.
Children may not understand what they’re participating in, but the spiritual realm does.
The enemy doesn’t need you to worship him, he just needs you to agree with his atmosphere.
That’s how open doors happen. That’s how strongholds begin, not through ritual, but through permission.
Some churches say, “We don’t celebrate Halloween, we just have a Fall Festival.”
But if the timing, decorations, and activities are the same, it’s not a replacement; it’s a rebranding.
If the message is identical, costumes, candy, and cobwebs, the spirit behind it hasn’t changed.
You can’t rename the darkness and call it light.
So when people say, “It’s just fun,” I ask, “Fun for who?”
The devil doesn’t mind if you think it’s innocent, deception is his greatest weapon.
As for me, I’ve seen the real side of darkness. I’ve seen the spirits that hide behind the masks.
That’s why I stand firm: if it glorifies fear, death, or deception, it doesn’t glorify God.
⚖️ The Biblical Pattern Is Clear
Every time someone in Scripture tried to mix light and darkness, judgment followed.
Every time they sought power, comfort, or answers from forbidden sources, they lost God’s protection.
Every time they normalized what God condemned, His presence departed.
Halloween is no different. You can rebrand it, rename it, or relocate it, but the spiritual root remains the same. It was born in paganism, fueled by fear, and wrapped in falsehood. Dressing it up doesn’t change its origin.
🕊️ The Call to Separation
God doesn’t call His people to isolation, He calls us to separation.
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17
You don’t have to fear Halloween, just don’t fellowship with it.
While the world celebrates darkness, believers are called to shine brighter.
Use that night to worship, pray, and be a light in your neighborhood, not another porch with a pumpkin.
🙏 Final Thought
The devil doesn’t need your full devotion to enter, only your permission.
When we casually entertain what God calls detestable, we open spiritual windows we were never meant to unlock.
As John Ramirez says, “You can’t play with fire and not expect to get burned.”
We are not called to imitate the world, we’re called to transform it.
Troy P Zehnder 