November 9, 2025
Never before have we needed to have our senses more trained to discern good and evil than now. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
We are living in a day when our nation is becoming more and more evil! If you don’t believe me, just turn on the news.
Satanism, the occult, demonism, and witchcraft have risen to a level of interest today in our country like we have never seen before! It is in our movies, music, television, books, the internet, social media, etc.
As one looks at Halloween’s history, it becomes apparent that there is something wrong with it. One of the most interesting facts that I found was that its celebration was banned in America up until 1845.
Our Pilgrim forefathers, who came to America from Europe, were well aware of its practices. It was only during the time of the Irish potato famine of 1845-46 that immigrants flooded New York, bringing with them this old Druid holiday named Halloween.
As a child growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I was not only a participant in Halloween but an organizer of haunted houses in my church and in a Christian school. But it was basically in the 1980s that I was introduced to teaching on spiritual warfare.
Note the following verses:
“Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.” I Pet. 5:8-9
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” II Cor. 2:11
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Cor. 10:3-5
“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” II Cor. 11:14 (NASB 1995)
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jn. 10:10
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Eph. 5:11
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Eph. 6:10-13
It was these types of scriptures that opened my eyes to my ignorance about some of the things in which I had once participated. This Biblical teaching made me realize the direct correlation of demons and darkness and the avenues that Satan will use to infiltrate the life of a believer, including things such as movies, music, television, the internet, social media, and the celebration of Halloween.
In the course of my work at the Capitol for the last 18 years, I have dealt with legislation that seeks to bring biblical morality back to a world that has been turned upside down. I deal with legislation on subjects such as abortion, pornography, gender dysphoria, child abuse, sex trafficking, drugs, and alcohol, to name a few.
When I look at the horrors and tragedies that are afflicting our society, especially among women and children, I have to ask myself, "Where are these thought patterns coming from that lead a person to harm another individual? Why are we seeing evil continuing to multiply before our very eyes?"
When we consider that we live in a country that was founded on Biblical principles and has more churches than any other nation, yet we see the growing statistics of crime, murders, suicides, rapes, sex-trafficking, gambling addiction, child abuse, and drug and alcohol abuse, one would think that we had been pagan from the very outset of our founding.
Certainly, Satan is not simply speaking in the minds of individuals and telling them to commit these heinous crimes. There must be an avenue through which he can subtly work his best tricks to bring people to a mental state that even they will have a hard time controlling.
So, I must then begin to look at what has changed in the last 50 years that has made our society in America far more evil than it has ever been before. And I begin to wonder if education, movies, television, and music that have helped to desensitize us to darkness, death, and evil, can bring us to actually celebrate those very same things.
How can we as Christians enjoy watching horror movies and shows and not understand that it eventually will affect our spiritual minds? Can we even consider that our children may be affected by this kind of entertainment?
When we consider the ability of the mind to record a picture, an event, and spoken words, and those memories sometimes last a lifetime, wouldn’t it be conceivable that viewing horror movies and participating in certain events are being mentally recorded? And, that those recordings can be brought back to our memories in a split second?
What about children who have witnessed horrifying events: the abuse or murder of a parent or sibling; the abuse that they endured at the hands of a demented parent, relative, or friend. We should consider that maybe, just maybe, there is something we are doing in our lives that could aid in contributing to the demise of our own spiritual walk and the spiritual life of our families and children.
I do believe that Halloween is one of those celebrations that has desensitized us to the evil that is present in our society. While we may acknowledge the evil around us, we have to ask ourselves, "Why do we want to celebrate something that is inherently evil? Why would we knowingly encourage evil and mock evil and, in some cases, glorify evil?"
There is no doubt that Halloween began as an evil celebration, which can be found in its history. Its purpose was to glorify Satan and evil. Its appearance emphasizes evil. And, most concerning, it desensitizes us to the very presence of evil around us and, in many cases, makes it more acceptable to our families and children.
When I know that my child is in direct danger, it is in my very nature as a loving parent to do everything within my power to stop the danger, remove my child from the danger, or confront the danger. Nothing will stop me from protecting my child, not even being confronted with my own death at the hands of the perpetrator. So, how much more should I be concerned about what my child sees, hears, and yes, participates in?
Years ago, I was made aware that one of the great theologians, C. S. Lewis, had once stated, “Satan’s neatest trick was to convince men that he did not exist!” As Christians, we must realize that Satan wants us to believe that certain things are okay and that he does not even exist. Why? It makes his job easier!
Satan is all about tricking us into believing lies so he can destroy our testimonies, our homes, and most importantly, our children and the witness of the life-changing power of the gospel!
So, I conclude with these two questions. Have you ever thought of Halloween this way? Could it be more serious and dangerous than you have ever considered before? I do believe that we should be concerned about the promotion of Halloween.
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Mike Griffin is the Public Affairs Representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
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