Biblical Advice

By Summer Lane

The Bible is very clear that witchcraft and divination is strictly off-limits for the Christian. But what happens when satanic ritualism is clandestinely slipped into seemingly harmless practices? What happens when demonically-based traditions are inserted into “Christian” literature and sermons?

Today, modern America seems centered on two very different extremes:

First, the expungement of God, in that many Americans today don’t believe that God existed at all.

And second, a fascination with the supernatural realm, a hunger toward manifesting one’s thoughts and dreams, and a bent toward practicing Middle-Eastern religious practices through meditation and spiritual channeling.

Strangely, many Americans are fascinated with the concept of hauntings, and horror movies abound to quench the odd thirst many people seem to have for peering into the abyss of demonic activity.

Unfortunately, Satan has managed to worm his way into culture today in the most unexpected places, taking hold of people’s lives through the New Age – a blend of Eastern religion, motivational speaking, and spiritual channeling.

What does the Bible say?

The Bible routinely addressed the issue of divination in the Old Testament, lambasting ancient Israel for worshiping demonic idols and often, sacrificing their own children in the fire to demon-gods like Molech and Asherah:

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.” – Deuteronomy 18:9-12

It also says in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 that King Saul, the first King of Israel, died “for his breach of faith.” He consulted a medium for guidance rather than seeking the Lord. “Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse,” the verse states.

The book of Revelation repeatedly warns about “sorcery” (Revelation 18:23, for example) and Galatians chapter 5 lists sorcery as one of many dangerous sins that that people have a predilection for.

Consulting with psychics, watching horror movies, reading tarot cards, playing with a Ouija board, and channeling or attempting to manifest angels or “good spirits” is all extremely dangerous – because it opens you up to a spiritual realm that is dark and demonic.

Examples of modern New Ageism

Counter Culture Mom guest Doreen Virtue, a former New Age spiritual guru who was saved by Jesus in 2017, warns that New Age practices should be avoided at all costs. She lists the enneagram, angel worship, and automatic writing (such as what you see in the book, Jesus Calling) as some of the major practices that are dangerous. The enneagram has surprisingly infiltrated many churches and is most prominently used and re-shared among Christian women and mothers on social media.

The enneagram’s history is linked to ancient spiritual practices and was brought to light by a man named George Ilych Gurdjieff in 1916, who called it “ancient science,” according to Theology Thinktank. In fact, their article further shares that John Bennett, an author who studied Gurdjieff, stated the following about the Enneagram’s dark roots:

“We can say that this theme came from the Greek Orthodox tradition, that theme came from an Assyrian or Babylonian tradition, another was clearly Muslim and connected with Sufism and even with this or that particular Sufi sect. One can say of others that they must have come from one or other of the branches of Buddhism. Again, there are indications that he took much from what is called the Western occult tradition, the Platonic and Rosicrucian tradition.”

Angel worship, as well, is highly occult. The Bible is clear that we have no other Gods besides Him, and that outside of our Creator and the Son, we worship no one else. Angels are created beings – and we are to worship the Creator, not the creation.

 “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.’ For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10

A Modern New Age Infiltration

Many modern Christian preachers today make millions by preaching a “prosperity gospel” that is centered on Eastern religious traditions of manifesting your goals and dreams by “speaking your truth to power.” A great example of this kind of blend of New Age spirituality with the Bible is in Joel Osteen’s often-repeated opening mantra at his Texas megachurch:

This is MY Bible.

I am what it says I am.

I can do what it says I can do.

Today I will be taught the word of God.

I boldly confess:

My mind is alert, My heart is receptive.

I will never be the same.

I am about to receive.

Another example is from “Declarations for 2019,” a calendar publication from Osteen’s ministry. It says, “I DECLARE everything that doesn’t line up with God’s vision for my life is subject to change.”

Osteen – like many other prosperity preachers – is teaching a form of divination-based manifesting and spiritual channeling, which attempts to harness god-like power and bend it to the individual’s will. Many meditative teachings based in Eastern practices instruct people to be repetitive and verbal in their affirmations in order to manifest their hopes and dreams – it is only a form of self-worship, and in the worst cases, a form of worshipping a god that is not the God of the Bible.

How to steer clear of the New Age

The best way to arm yourself against the deceptions of the New Age is not to spend your time looking for heretical teaching! No, the best thing you can do is simply to fill your mind with the truth of Scripture. God’s Word, when it is hidden deep in your heart, will equip you with the knowledge you need to easily discern counterfeit forms of Christianity – as well as helping you to avoid accidentally engaging in any type of New Age practice that God has commanded Christians to explicitly kick to the curb.

The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team.

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Former New Age guru Doreen Virtue appeared on shows like Oprah and The View, offering spiritual advice to those hoping to manifest their hopes and dreams by piercing the spiritual veil. In 2017, Doreen came to know Christ and cast off the New Age. Now, she spends her time warning about the dangers of demonic practices like meditation and angel worship. Her testimony and her advice will give you incredible insight into what kind of common New Age red flags you can look out for!

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, she analyzes politics and policies in weekly op/Eds on The Write Revolution.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing about women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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