1. “A Bible Response to Halloween” 1 John 4:4

2. Halloween’s History Pagan rituals of the Celtics + Romans + their “new year” celebration Roman Catholic Church offset with All Saints Day (840’s A.D.) by Pope Gregory III, moved from May 13 th to November 1 All Saints Day honoring martyrs, saints Night before was “Hallowed Evening” or, “Hallowe’en” = fasting + prayer

3. Halloween – Withdraw? "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11). "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Compared to…

4. Halloween – Or Combat With Light and Truth? Incarnation – God breaks into a lost, sinful world to bring salvation, light! *Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light…” His Command – SHINE in the darkness (you have to be there) (Matt. 5:16) Jesus hangs out with sinners (Matthew 9:10-12)

5. Darkness Reigns Only Where Light is Absent John 1:5 – “Darkness cannot overcome it” (comprehend, extinguish, Satan’s attempt to extinguish the Light – Matt. 2:16 – Herod’s response The cross – Matthew 27:31 Satan hates you – (John 10:10) * schemes (2 Cor. 2:11) * snares (2 Timothy 2:26)

6. Answering Halloween with Bible Book of Job, Chapters 1 and 2: Satan touches family, wealth, weather, business (sheep), children, health (boils), relationships… any/every part of life EXCEPT your salvation (it is eternal!) Spiritual warfare: “Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side?” (Job 1:10).

7. 1. How Evil Can Engage You A.Gross social evils – embedded in culture, codified in law – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34) // expressed in others B.Carnal temptations – 1 Cor. 6:18 “Flee” C.Ideas – (2 Cor. 4:4) – “Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving” Battlefield: “the mind” – “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7)

8. 2. Respond in Faith! “This IS My Father’s World!” Security of salvation – 1 John 4:4 Demons cannot possess a believer – “having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13) But…demons can oppress believers! Leaving the door unlocked—unconfessed, unrepented sin, yours or previous generations!

9. Conclusion “Whoever knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17) “…and whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23) Don’t capitulate to the devil!! God CAME/calls us INTO a world of darkness - “"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15)