Adapted from a sermon originally preached by Mark Jackson at Inspire Saint James, October 2022
As October rolls around, our streets fill with pumpkins, cobwebs, and plastic skeletons. Halloween seems to get bigger every year in the UK. In 2001, we spent around £12 million on it; this year, the figure is estimated at nearly £700 million. It now rivals Easter as one of the most-celebrated holidays in the country.
From horror films like Prey for the Devil to “escape room” fright nights near the Tower of London, our culture seems increasingly fascinated by darkness. Some of us may have been invited to parties or will see children trick-or-treating tomorrow night. But how should Christians respond?
Where does Halloween come from?
Views differ. Some say it stems from the pagan festival of Samhain and therefore the church should avoid it altogether. Others trace it to the Christian feast of All Hallows’ Eve - a night to remember Christ’s victory over the devil - and so see it as something to redeem and celebrate. Others shrug it off as a money-making opportunity, a bit of harmless fun.
Wherever we land, perhaps the more searching question is: what's the actual reality about Halloween?
The Bible tells us there is a spiritual realm we cannot see, but which profoundly shapes our world. The apostle Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 6:
“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
The devil is real - and he is at war with us
We live in a time when many dismiss talk of the devil as primitive or laughable. “Science can explain everything,” people say. “Seeing is believing.” Yet that worldview leaves us unequipped for one of life’s deepest realities: the existence of evil.
In Scripture, the devil appears from Genesis to Revelation - tempting, deceiving, and accusing. Jesus himself called him “a liar and a murderer from the beginning”. The Bible doesn’t invite us to be fascinated by the devil, but to be alert to his schemes.
C. S. Lewis captures this brilliantly in The Screwtape Letters, where an older demon advises a younger one that “the safest road to hell is the gradual one.” The devil’s goal is simple: to draw us away from the light of God - slowly, subtly, step by step.
Temptation. Accusation. Lies. Doubt. Fear. These are the devil’s weapons. But Paul tells us not to be naïve or unarmed.
Standing firm in Christ’s victory
The good news is that Christians don’t fight for victory; we fight from victory. Jesus Christ has already conquered sin, death, and the devil through his cross and resurrection. Paul’s command is therefore not to panic, but to stand firm in the strength of the Lord and “put on the full armour of God.”
That armour is a vivid picture of how to live securely in Christ:
The belt of truth guards us against the devil’s lies. God’s Word reminds us of what is real and good.
The breastplate of righteousness protects us from accusation. Because of Jesus, God looks at us with delight, not condemnation.
The gospel of peace on our feet helps us bring light into a dark world - sharing the good news that true peace comes only through Christ.
The shield of faith defends us when doubts and temptations fly our way, reminding us that in the truth and love of Christ we are safe.
The helmet of salvation secures our identity as those saved by grace, not works.
And all of it, Paul says, must be covered in prayer: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).
So what about Halloween?
Christians will continue to differ in how they approach it.
Some will want nothing to do with it - and that’s understandable. Even if we decline every party invitation and keep the lights off, we still face the devil’s flaming arrows in other ways. We still need the armour of God.
Others see Halloween as an opportunity to connect with friends and neighbours - and perhaps even to share the gospel of peace. That too is understandable. But we must not be naïve about the reality of evil, even behind something that looks like harmless fun.
Others try to redeem Halloween by hosting Light Parties or “Hallelujah Parties” that celebrate Christ’s victory over darkness. Again, that’s a creative and faithful response.
Wherever we land, the central truth remains the same: the devil is real and he is at war with us - but Jesus is stronger.
The call of Ephesians 6 is not to hide in fear or indulge in fascination with evil, but to stand firm in Christ’s mighty power. To put on the armour God has given us. To live with confidence and peace, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.
So this Halloween, and every day of the year, let’s remember what’s really going on behind the masks and pumpkins. There is a spiritual reality we can’t see. But there is also a Saviour who has already triumphed over it.
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power… Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10–11)
You can watch the original sermon here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kygGVuCea5g
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