Our Call to Duty – Guising / Halloween / Trick or Treat
Our Call to Duty – Guising / Halloween / Trick or Treat – Should we, the (Children of GOD), trick-or-treat? Guising is short for disguising and is a traditional festivity (Scottish/Regional). According to dictai.org: This festivity/custom of disguising oneself in fancy dress, often with a mask, and performing while visiting people’s houses for treats, especially at Halloween. The trick was if you did not get a treat.
Nevertheless, it is written that all things are lawful but are not expedient. “I have the right to do anything, you say, but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12) The question now is: why would we want to participate with demons? Our enemy goes about like a roaring lion, trying to devour anyone who succumbs to his schemes. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8)
After all, going out in costumes is a harmless activity. Many Children of GOD have participated in this tradition and still enjoy the candy more than the fruit put in their bags. Some even won best costume. Now that we have become a new creation in Christ, all things are new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Cor 5:17)
However, many congregations have festivals to give children and adolescents a safe environment to receive treats and to understand that followers of Christ are different from those who are conformed to this world. We are in this world, but we certainly are not a part of this world. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world and do not belong to it.” (Jn 17:16) Many followers of Christ think it is not necessary to deprive children of this opportunity because it is difficult to explain why it is not expedient, naturally, and spiritually, for Children of GOD.
As called and chosen, we should want to do good works. “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above, spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which GOD prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” (Ephes 2:10)
Guising has changed from its ancient roots into a widely celebrated cultural holiday, blending both pagan and Christian traditions. In short, today’s Halloween/Trick-or-Treat has accumulated folk customs, secular traditions, commercial influences, and practices unrelated to Christ. Back to the question from the beginning: should the Children of GOD participate in guising, Halloween, or Trick-or-Treating?
“What would Jesus Do”
Our Call to Duty – Guising / Halloween / Trick or Treat
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