How to Be Spiritually Discerning This Halloween
As the days of Autumn come with holidays that characterize darkness as light-hearted, worthy of celebration, and suitable for all ages, we must take a moment to ponder how we should respond as Christians. Participation or opposition rooted in fear appear as our only options, but what if there was a third? What if we armed ourselves spiritually to not react in fear, but not to cave to the deception of Satan either? How do we gather knowledge and understanding to proceed with wisdom when it comes to these multifaceted topics?
It's Not All Hocus Pocus
Ignorance is not bliss; it is a spiritual blindness in a world where sharp senses are a vital asset. The ambition of Satan is to deceive humankind, we see this from the fall of humanity in Eden, and we see this evident today. Although it may appear easier to label it all as "hocus pocus" or "make believe," we limit ourselves to a spiritual understanding of what is really taking place. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is not to drive us into paranoia, rather, it is to move us to pray to be given a spiritual understanding of what we cannot see.
To See the Unseen
Throughout Scripture, we are given insight into what it means to have a spiritual lens of understanding from the Spirit of God. When we pray for discernment and coherency to know what is sincerely of the Light and what is not, it is there that we are not controlled by the fear of the unknown. 2 Kings 6:16-17 shares, "And he said, 'Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.' (NIV). And the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (NASB)."
The man with Elisha saw that they were not alone in their fight—we must believe the same is true for us as well as believers. Praying for God to reveal what we cannot see offers us access to not fall prey to the schemes of the Enemy. It also enables us to teach young ones how to navigate the world with Godly wisdom rooted in their faith.
Using Godly Wisdom in the World
With the right marketing, we can perceive anything as innocent, but how do we know what lies at the core of an activity or opportunity? Consider how Ouija boards are advertised as board games when they, in fact, are conduits to summon the Demonic realm. Or how horror movies beckon a thrilling time when they inevitably open the door to clouded thoughts, unnecessary fright, or twisted perspectives. How then do we know what is safe and what is not? What if something presents itself, and it is vague or unclear if it is permissible? Not everything is overtly presented as darkness, and with so many opinions in the world, how do we really know what the correct one is? The answer rests in seeking God for His truth through His Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 33:3 lifts us to, "'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (NIV). It is when we seek God for His definition of things that we can walk in wisdom, not whim. We can also have the proper footing to know when we are overacting to something, but we must be willing to surrender our stubborn need to control things, be right in the situation, and answer for Him. We must also embrace the idea that what we might have enjoyed in a former time was not truly something good, even if we would label it as such. Know that if He does offer you revelation, you are responsible for honoring Him with your actions moving forward. Know that He does not reveal such things to cause you grief or kill your joy, but rather He knows better than you do, and it is ultimately for your betterment.
Do Not Live in Fear
We may not realize it in the moment, but things of the darkness can control us not through our participation in them, but in our fear of them. If Satan cannot get you to participate in things that are genuinely opposed to the Light, he may tempt you to be afraid of any and all things, which is a method of controlling you still. Some Christians fear that allowing their children to dress up in costumes of any kind could be dangerous, regardless of the time of the year. They may also stray away from books or movies that introduce any variant of fantasy. In the process, fear becomes consuming and controlling. What if there really is a "demon waiting behind every bush"? What we must realize in all things is that when we walk with God and seek Him in all things, we do not need to be afraid. Fear is not our portion; a sound mind is through and by Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:7 roots us in the fact, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." We can also stand with the posture of victory in Christ through spiritually arming ourselves, knowing Christ is with us.
Arming Ourselves
Remember that it is not just during spooky holidays, but every day that we can equip ourselves with the armor of God. Ephesians 6:13-18 encourages us to pray for this protection, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (NIV). Instead of living from a posture of anxiety and fear, we have the option to live from the authority of victory that comes from salvation through Jesus Christ. Instead of allowing the darkness to control you, be it through participation or crippling fear, let's seek the Word of God as to how we can live spiritually armed at all times. You are not limited to caving into participation or cowering in fear, you can live vivaciously when you do so with the Lord.
Related Articles:
5 Sneaky Ways Divination May Be Sneaking into the Church
7 Things I Learned about Discernment
What Does the Bible Say about Evil Spirits?
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Originally published October 14, 2025.
