Following Christ in a Culture of Shadows

October always feels different. Streets fill with cobwebs, pumpkins, and masks. Kids knock on doors for candy. Horror movies fill screens. Everyone’s chasing the thrill of fear. And for many Christians, the question comes again: Should we join in?

For the Pathway Movement, this season is more than a debate about costumes and trick-or-treating. It’s a reminder of a deeper call—to live as children of light in a world that loves the dark.

1. Remember What We Celebrate

The world calls it Halloween. The Church once called it All Hallows’ Eve—the night before All Saints’ Day. It was meant to honor believers who lived and died faithfully for Christ. But over time, what began as remembrance turned into revelry, and what was once about saints became about spirits.

Today, we see fear commercialized and evil glamorized. People dress as ghosts, demons, or killers—laughing at what Jesus came to defeat. And while many take part just for fun, we can’t ignore that culture often celebrates what Christ has overcome.

The Pathway Movement doesn’t respond with condemnation—but with conviction. We remember that our lives tell a story. When others celebrate darkness, we point to light. When others play with fear, we show love. When others honor death, we proclaim resurrection.

2. Don’t Fear the Darkness—Shine in It

There’s a reason fear fascinates people. In a world without Christ, fear feels powerful. It gives a rush. It numbs the soul. But believers don’t need to be captivated by fear—we’re called to confront it.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). That verse doesn’t say the light avoids the darkness. It enters it—and transforms it.

So what does that mean for us during “spook season”?
It means we don’t have to hide indoors trembling over Halloween. Nor do we have to imitate the world’s version of fun. We can redeem the day. We can meet neighbors, love people, and speak peace in a season obsessed with fear.

You can give candy and still carry Christ. You can dress your kids as Bible heroes instead of monsters. You can open your home for community and prayer instead of closing your doors in panic.

Fear belongs to the world. Light belongs to us.

3. Teach Our Children the Real Story

One of the best things we can do this time of year is teach our kids why we do what we do. The world will tell them it’s “just for fun.” But discipleship begins when parents explain truth in love.

If our children ask, “Why don’t we wear scary costumes?”—tell them, “Because Jesus defeated death, and we don’t pretend that evil is fun.”
If they ask, “Why do others decorate with skeletons and ghosts?”—remind them, “We remember saints, not spirits. We follow Jesus, who gives life.”

Halloween doesn’t have to be an awkward day for Christian families. It can be a teaching moment. Every choice—every costume, every conversation, every light on your porch—can be a quiet act of discipleship.

4. Celebrate the Saints, Not the Spooks

All Saints’ Day is a gift easily forgotten. It’s a day to remember ordinary believers who lived extraordinary faith. Not superheroes. Not perfect people. Just faithful men and women who carried the gospel when it cost them everything.

These are the real “costumes” worth wearing—the robes of righteousness given to us in Christ. We don’t imitate ghosts; we follow those who imitated Jesus.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

This is what the Pathway Movement celebrates—not fear, not death, but faith that endures. We don’t hide from the world, but we don’t conform to it either. We live visibly different lives that point people back to the Savior.

5. Pathway People Choose Light

In the Pathway Movement, our seven steps—Believe, Belong, Become, Bless, Build, Bring, Bear—are not just church words. They are the rhythm of our lives. And this season, they remind us:

• Believe that Christ has already conquered every power of darkness.

• Belong to a family that walks in the light.

• Become more like Jesus by saying “no” to the world’s idols.

• Bless others by bringing joy, peace, and generosity—not fear.

• Build gospel conversations even in cultural moments.

• Bring others to see that life in Christ is fuller than any thrill the world offers.

• Bear fruit that lasts—faith, hope, and love.

This is how we live reformed and radiant lives, not shaped by trends but by truth.

6. The Real “Spirit” of the Season

While the world talks about spirits to scare, we remember the Holy Spirit, who empowers. He’s not a ghost to fear, but the presence of God who fills us with power, peace, and purpose.

So when the culture turns its eyes toward shadows, we lift ours to the light.
When the world plays with darkness, we display holiness.
When fear sells, we show faith.

That’s the Pathway way—to shine until Christ is known everywhere.

The Gospel is not Kill-Joy

The gospel doesn’t cancel joy; it redeems it. So go ahead—gather, celebrate, laugh, enjoy—but do it in a way that reflects Jesus, not darkness. Remember the saints who lived before us. Be one who walks in light now.

Because while the world celebrates ghosts, the Church celebrates grace.
And grace is still the greatest story worth telling.