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Okay, I know I am forbidden from "observing" Halloween, but which of these activities in particular am I forbidden from doing? (It used to be my favorite non-patriotic holiday before I read about all the Paganism.)

Going to a city street fair in costume on a day other than the 31st

Going to a nightclub party/private party in costume on a day other than the 31st

Working at a Halloween store

Working in or going to a haunted house

Entering a costume contest

Doing anything in a costume around this time of year (I like making my own costumes, in case nobody has figured that out yet )

(09-16-2011 12:25 PM)YYZ Skinhead Wrote: [ -> ]Okay, I know I am forbidden from "observing" Halloween, but which of these activities in particular am I forbidden from doing? (It used to be my favorite non-patriotic holiday before I read about all the Paganism.)

Going to a city street fair in costume on a day other than the 31st

Going to a nightclub party/private party in costume on a day other than the 31st

Working at a Halloween store

Working in or going to a haunted house

Entering a costume contest

Doing anything in a costume around this time of year (I like making my own costumes, in case nobody has figured that out yet )

Hey there YYZ,

Should you not be asking the Lord those questions? How can we tell you what to do? If the Lord is telling you to do something you need to find out what the reason is that He is leading you somewhere. Before Peter's dream he never would have thought to go to Cornelius' house. But then the Lord said go.

Please share with us what the Lord does through you or what He shows you after Halloween.

A couple of scriptures that might be useful for you.

1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

All the best,
Rick

Well? Anyone?

(09-22-2011 11:13 AM)YYZ Skinhead Wrote: [ -> ]Well? Anyone?

Hey YYZ,

Since you were involved in paganism, and have renounced it I think you already know the spiritual issues around halloween and witchcraft etc.

I personally think we are called to show we are different in these things. I know there are Christians and even at church functions who do the dress up and halloween thing at their churches. I think that's wrong. There is nothing lovely or pure about halloween.

Can you go to a costume party---I suppose you have to consider why you are going and to what end. Just a get together with friends--I know Christians who have dress up or come as you are get togethers and do it for fun and fellowship. I guess because I don't do those things, and really have no interest in them, it's hard for me to say you should or shouldn't under those circumstances.

I will say this. Whatever decisions we make are supposed to be to honor Christ. So if what you are considering going to, is a witness for Christ or something that would not hinder your witness of Christ, and you feel God wants you to do it, then you would feel comfortable doing it. Here's some Scriptures to consider:

Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 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.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1Pe 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1Pe 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
1Pe 4:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1Pe 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1Co 10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1Co 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
1Co 10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Co 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1Co 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
1Co 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Hope that helps.

Greets Vic,

Props for posting those verses. They helped clear up a lot. It hadn't occurred to me that the city Halloween parties in West Hollywood and San Francisco fell under "revelling" and "abominable idolatries", but they are hedonistic (some partygoers wear nothing) and they are held to celebrate an unredeemable Pagan religious holiday. I think I ought to avoid the street fairs because there are other contexts in which I can show off my costumes. I like non-occultic scare houses--the kind where people jump out at you from nowhere with a chainsaw--and carnival "dark rides" for the same reason I like roller coasters. I like sewing my own costumes, seeing other people's costumes, and entering contests. I like some of the "Halloween" paraphernalia because I have a very morbid sense of humor. I really doubt God cares if I dress up like a Rottweiler or that I own a (real) Grim Reaper scythe. If I dressed up specifically for a Halloween party--as opposed to e.g. a costume party in September--it would essentially be saying "I support observing Halloween", which I most certainly don't.

I suppose it is natural for a former Pagan to be tempted by this holiday, and that may be a good reason to avoid it. As a kid I remember going to a church haunted house where I drank grape witches' brew. It took me a few years and some reading to realize that churches and haunted houses are incompatible.

(09-23-2011 04:20 PM)YYZ Skinhead Wrote: [ -> ]Greets Vic,

Props for posting those verses. They helped clear up a lot. It hadn't occurred to me that the city Halloween parties in West Hollywood and San Francisco fell under "revelling" and "abominable idolatries", but they are hedonistic (some partygoers wear nothing) and they are held to celebrate an unredeemable Pagan religious holiday. I think I ought to avoid the street fairs because there are other contexts in which I can show off my costumes. I like non-occultic scare houses--the kind where people jump out at you from nowhere with a chainsaw--and carnival "dark rides" for the same reason I like roller coasters. I like sewing my own costumes, seeing other people's costumes, and entering contests. I like some of the "Halloween" paraphernalia because I have a very morbid sense of humor. I really doubt God cares if I dress up like a Rottweiler or that I own a (real) Grim Reaper scythe. If I dressed up specifically for a Halloween party--as opposed to e.g. a costume party in September--it would essentially be saying "I support observing Halloween", which I most certainly don't.

I suppose it is natural for a former Pagan to be tempted by this holiday, and that may be a good reason to avoid it. As a kid I remember going to a church haunted house where I drank grape witches' brew. It took me a few years and some reading to realize that churches and haunted houses are incompatible.

Hey YYZ,

I can't imagine someone jumping out at me with a chainsaw in fun. You wouldn't be able to keep up with me, I would be so gone.

All of us can be tempted to things of the flesh that were part of our lives before we came to Christ. I think it's a given that those things that we used to enjoy can become real battlegrounds at times. I think Paul kind of summed it up a few times in these passages:

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

As we grow in Christ it can get easier to view things through the standard of the Scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to do all for His honor and glory, and it isn't always easy to figure out what that means. But by seeking God's will in prayer and studying the Scriptures we become more in tune with the things that please and displease God.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1Co 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1Th 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.