Childhood reflection of Halloween

As Halloween approaches, I wanted to share this:

When I was little, I would almost beg my mom to let me go trick-or-treating. I wasn’t that I cared about the costumes or home decorations; all I cared about was the candy. But it was to no avail. Until one year, she relented and agreed to let me under the condition that I would be dressed as a biblical character. She chose Moses.

My friends looked at me weird when I joined them to go trick-or-treating, but I still didn’t mind the weird looks and comments, the important thing was the candy.

That happened for three years probably, one of them being me being dressed as David, though not sure if anyone would have picked it up. But still, I just cared about the candy, and was happy with the ample supply that I would build up by going door-to-door for them.

After those 3 years, as Halloween approach again, I wanted a costume. I didn’t go tell me mom, what Biblical character I wanted, but I asked my dad if we could go to the Halloween costume store. My dad took me and I was thrilled with all the chooses, monsters, Jason, other hideous personalities that I can’t recall anymore. I remember settling on a Dracula costume and when I got home I was eager to show my mom. She was not happy. But I was, because I thought that costume was really cool and again I’d get candy.

Some years later, I stopped the whole trick-or-treating, I felt that it wasn’t in harmony with Godly principles. But as I look back now, I see more clearly what was going on.
Candy in itself (aside from being unhealthy) is not sinful. Going door-to-door asking for candy isn’t sinful. But when connected to the whole culture and atmosphere of Halloween, innocent and regular things start to open the doors to other things and they start to become part of who we are.

Like I mentioned, I cared nothing about Halloween as a child, I only cared about the candy. But as I opened my life and mind toward the culture, little by little without me realizing it, it became part of me, as I wanted what I previously cared nothing about and what I rejected based on my Christian experience as a small kid.

That’s why it’s so important about what we put into our minds, what we watch, see and associate with. Satan, usually will not bring his onslaught immediately so you’ll know that there’s danger and willing to quickly retreat back to God. No, he’ll let it slide for a time and when the defenses are weak, then he’ll strike and because we allowed it and it seemed like nothing was happening, we never realize when we have changed.

1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1, 2)

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