Isaiah 5:20-21 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (English Standard Version) This passage has come to mind more than once recently because so much of what is celebrated during this time of year seeks to desensitize the conscience by celebrating murder, violence, and wickedness. If the Christian isn’t careful, he or she may find their conscience being weakened as well.
The prophet Isaiah lived in a time when religious people were making compromises. They thought they could be religious and enjoy the lifestyle of the pagan world around them. Isaiah recorded God’s words “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.” (Isaiah 1:2) Later he wrote, “Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures… their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.” (Isaiah 2:7-8) These people had allowed idols and influence from the world to seep into their lives and corrupt their devotion to God.
Isaiah chapter 5 includes a powerful illustration of a beautiful vineyard that God planted, but it only produced wild grapes. God declared his solution for the vineyard, “I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up.” (Isaiah 5:6) The chapter continues with a list of warnings against the people, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them! They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.” (5:11-12) These people were caught up in the distractions of their time. They loved wine and entertainment, more than the deeds of the Lord.
Isaiah 5:20-21 gives insight into how depraved the minds of these people had become. They called “evil good and good evil.” Why would they do that? It was because they were looking to the world to define their terms. Why would they “put darkness for light and light for darkness?” It was because they were entertained by the darkness. Why would they exchange “bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter?” It was because they wanted to convince themselves there was some value to the bitterness that the pagan societies of the world offered them.
It is important to remember that Isaiah lived in a specific time (around 739 B.C. to 686 B.C) and that his message was primarily directed to people in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. In 722 B.C. Jews living in the Northern Kingdom were exiled by the Assyrians and taken into exile. This came as a massive reality check to those living in the Southern Kingdom. They were given the opportunity to repent of their sin and their complacency, but they didn’t heed the warning and in 587 B.C. the king of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and forced many Jews to leave the Southern Kingdom.
This historical context brings a sobering reality to the warnings of Isaiah. The people should have listened to the prophet. They should have recalibrated their definition of evil with the way God defines evil. They should have repented of their complacency and made a clear distinction between spiritual darkness and God’s glorious light. Instead, they played with the proverbial fire of sin and were burned physically and spiritually.
I think this is a fitting part of Scripture to consider when thinking about Halloween and the seemingly harmless fun of the holiday. The Bible does not allow for a gray area. There is a right way to celebrate the fall season and a wrong way. The right way is one that gives glory to God and his creation and is full of love, joy and peace. The wrong way is to celebrate anything that can be associated with physical, moral, or spiritual darkness. This provides a simple way to decide what to take part in during the season.
Some churches have opted to have a fall festival, but they make a point to request that no costumes be included in the event. That is a helpful distinction because anyone who has studied the ancient origins of Samhain and Halloween knows that costumes are connected with hiding from evil spirits. Witches are never to be celebrated by Christians, regardless of whether someone is dressed in white or any other color. Haunted houses or slasher houses are driven by fear and horror. They function in a context of darkness. Christians are motivated by love and joy. We function in a context of spiritual light.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of walking in the light. In Ephesians 5:6 he wrote, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; 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.”
My hope and prayer is that this article will help expose some darkness to the light. As Christians we are not to think in terms of shades of gray. We are to think in terms of light and darkness. This has been a helpful way for me and my wife to decide what to do in October and I hope it will help other believers as well.
