‘…for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),  and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.’ Ephesians 5:8-11(ESV)

As the nights draw in and the leaves change colour, our minds begin to turn to the months ahead. Each October brings the knocks on the door of those guising in costumes that are at times impressive and others quite disturbing. Halloween has become ingrained in our culture as a bit of fun for the kids but it is also something that points to a much darker truth. Halloween has increasing come to be associated with things the Bible tells us to separate ourselves from such as witchcraft, demons, sorcery, magic and things associated with darkness. As believers we are aware that there is a very real battle going on between the powers of darkness and light, it is a conflict that many live ignorant of and that’s exactly what Satan wants. He wants people to live in ignorance so that he can keep hold over their lives but we have, as 1 Peter teaches, been ‘called out of darkness into His (that is God’s) wonderful light’ and we are called to walk as children of light as the verses above teach. That means we seek what is good and right and true, all that is found in Christ and we are called not simply to ignore the unfruitful works of darkness but to expose them. Thankfully many churches are doing just that and holding alternatives such as light parties for young folks that focus on what is good, right and true whilst making a statement against, or exposing Halloween for what it actually is. It is showing that it is not simply a bit of fun but a dabbling, sometimes quite innocently, in things that we should avoid. As a church we continue to pray for the influences that young folks experience today and we pray that there would be Godly influences in their lives whether it be parents, grandparents, friends or others that God places around them. Let us not be fooled by what is of darkness and let us seek what is of the light found in the person of Christ. May the Lord continue to use you and bless you in His service.

Gordon