Hello Teens!

Every year we're faced with the dilemma with how to approach (or even think about) the subject of Halloween.  Below you'll find the latest devotion from Dare2Share Ministries that addresses this very issue. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Ms. Cindy and Ms. Lori

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How to Celebrate Halloween

Written by: Lane Palmer
Position: Youth Ministry Specialist
Posted: 10-22-2007
Answers the question: Why did Jesus die on the cross?

It seems that soon after back to school happens, back to ghoul appears on the scene soon after.

Say what? Well, flip on your TV - and most nights you'll be able to tune in to shows that deal with the 'other side' of things. Whether you're pushing up daisies, looking at the Supernatural, or following the Reaper...there's no lack of choices when it comes to things ghostly, ghastly, and grisly.

(Quick note on 'Reaper'...the basic plot is that the main character Sam is in eternal servitude to the devil because his parents promised the soul of their firstborn to Satan in exchange for the Dad's life. Maybe the next time you feel frustrated or angry at your parents, be thankful they didn't sell your soul to Beelzebub. Sort of puts the whole 'grounding' thing in perspective, right?)

Then there's the big event at the end of October where candy makers and costume companies are making bank hand over fist, while trick or treaters and Halloween gatherings are found on every street in America (well, probably not in Amish country - but I'm getting the cart before the horse).

So what's with all the attraction to the 'dark side'? It seems more and more that our culture is mesmerized by the seamy side of the spiritual world. Good entertainment? For many, yes. Dangerous? Potentially...because there's no getting around the fact that there is a spiritual world which overlays ours, and there are things that do much more than go 'bump' in the night. In fact, there are battles raging within a few feet of you that would make the telekinetic entertainment shows look more like Teletubbies.

So what would make supernatural themed shows and celebrations dangerous? Well, aside from the clearly obvious things like participating in séances or replacing Mario Party with a Ouija board, there is another issue to consider for those who belong to Christ. This issue is simply one of perception. There are many believers who give way too much credit to the power of the dark side, and when they do, they usually find themselves under its influence.

And that is dangerous.

The key here is to keep in mind an often overlooked but absolutely critical passage of Scripture that gives us the 'lenses' to see the spiritual world in 20/20 focus and respond accordingly. See if you agree:

God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:13b-15 emphasis mine)

What does this verse have to do with the spiritual world? In a word...everything! Paul is telling us that when Jesus died on the Cross, what looked like absolute defeat by Satan and his army over Christ was actually a total and complete victory over him! First of all, it 'canceled the record of charges against us' - in other words, it erased the guilty charges for all our sin and rebellion against Him, so Satan can't bring guilt and shame your way anymore. Second - and this is the really amazing part - through the Cross, Jesus 'disarmed' Satan and his demons, and even 'shamed' them publically.

The picture behind 'shamed them publically' is that of the Roman army as they marched back through the city streets in a parade of triumph. Behind the General of the Army came the defeated kings, captains and people who were openly displayed for all to see as completely conquered.

So in this verse, Paul paints a picture of Jesus as the conquering General in the middle of a cosmic triumph, and in the victory parade are Satan and all his demons, who are beaten forever, for every one to see. Paul wants us to understand that even though Satan and his demons still exist, because of Jesus they are a crushed and routed enemy.

What does this mean for the supernatural scene and Halloween? Time to celebrate! That's right - let all the scary TV themes and costumes involving the supernatural be a visual reminder that they are just that: fiction and fake masks - and that's a reason to par-teh!

The only power Satan has over you is what you voluntarily give him in the first place. He'll try to convince you that he can defeat you with guilt and deception...but that's the time you remember the victory parade that happened over 2000 years ago when the Captain of our salvation marched the enemy though the spiritual streets of the universe and put on public display a victory notice for all who trust in Him for eternal life.

The 'trick' to all this is not facing Satan in your own strength, and calling on Jesus to bring victory in your life.

The 'treat' is that when you do, you'll experience a life of walking in the light that no amount of darkness can ever overcome.

So this Halloween, forget about 'boo!'...because of Christ, we can say - "boo-ya!"

Head: What you need to know about this truth

At the Cross, Jesus completely defeated the forces of evil for all time, therefore Christians can celebrate the fact that Satan and his demons have no power over us.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

Here's some really amazing information about the conquering parade we talked about in Soul Fuel. In order for the victorious general to qualify for the procession, the following conditions had to be met:

• This general must have been the chief general in the field of battle.
• The campaign must have been completely successful.
• A large number of enemy soldiers must have fallen in battle.
• He must gain an expansion of territory for the Roman Empire.

Jesus met all these conditions:

• He was the commander-in-chief in the field of battle - the cross.
• Jesus completely paid for our sins on the cross.
• Satan and all his demons fell in defeat.
• He secured salvation and eternal future for those who trust in Him alone for salvation.

Knowing this can help you feel the amazing confidence that the very powers of hell have no power over you, because a defeated enemy doesn't need to be defeated again!

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Halloween is a great opportunity to bring up the topic of the spiritual world, so check out this awesome Culture Commission article that will help you take advantage of this once a year chance.