(Marsha West – Christian analysis community) nowadays I visited a protracted-time friend's facebook page. I'll call her Ginger. Ginger is a professing Christian who says she reads the Bible consistently as well as what she deems Christian books. My attention changed into immediately drawn to the several games that have been posted on her web page together with a "marriage ceremony" online game. at the good are the words: What surprise Is Coming Your approach In 2021 in line with Your Astrological signal. Twelve astrological indications appear along the border. A button is provided within the center for those that wish to play. under the button are the words: you're going to at last have the dream marriag e ceremony you've been watching for Ginger, surrounded by all the individuals you love. another online game on her web page invites you to decide on one of 6 images to find out who may be going for walks beside you in 2021. also on the web page is a video game that suggests your 2021 tattoo. Ginger's tat is "i am who i'm. Your approval isn't mandatory."
I left Ginger's page in disbelief and disheartened.
The factor is, we now have mentioned certain occult practices ad nauseum through the years. I actually have shared along with her that God makes it clear His people don't seem to be to take part in any means form or kind in "magic." no longer even if what you're doing is "just for fun."
Ginger at all times left me with the affect that she was privy to the dangers of dabbling on earth of the occult. in all probability she changed into telling me what i wanted to hear. What I noticed on her web page made it clear my impressions were inaccurate.
for those who don't know all that tons in regards to the New Age circulation (NAM), I'm going to spend a second to give you a condensed edition and provide links below for further research.
firstly, on the core of NAM is a belief in mysticism. in brief, mysticism's focal point is on esoteric talents, i.e. potential that is proscribed to a small community of people who believe they're endued with special or secret advantage.
Many professing Christians in the seen Church mix Christianity with New Age spirituality. They even mix in NAM's occult practices which are corresponding to witchcraft and contain pagan practices and cures for whatever's sick them gleaned from Hinduism, Buddhism and other japanese religions. There's also man-headquartered Christianity. Having "felt needs" met is of utmost significance to man-established church-goers. the place does this kind of stuff come from? It mainly started with Rick Warren's unbiblical seeker-pushed pragmatism. What God says in His note in reality doesn't rely to those whose handiest focal point is on "self."
Paganism and pragmatism combined with Christianity accomplishes what exactly? those that do this have produced a faith of their own advent, one which works for them in a means that genuine Christianity has no longer completed. What individuals don't seem to grasp is that counterfeit Christianity, as a result of that's what they've created, presents a false gospel that saves no one.
So, what it boils right down to is that a lot of those who profess religion in Christ are drawn to Christianity for its "Savior" value, on no account as a result of they're interested in the Jesus of the Bible who has made it clear that He must be the Lord and grasp of people who are really His.
Do you don't forget Ginger's tattoo? "i'm who i am. Your approval isn't necessary." many of her fb chums appreciated that. As i mentioned, for a long time when Ginger was dabbling in astrology I warned her that she was treading on thin ice for the reason that the Bible refers to astrology as fortune telling which is a satanic observe expressly forbidden by God. Why does it rely to me what's posted on her page? since it highlights the undeniable fact that it concerns no longer to her that she's inviting household and pals to partake in practices God hates.
Experiencing God via Mystic Meditation
Professing Christians who wittingly, or unwittingly, embrace New Age beliefs increase what they experience in a personal way of their quest to attract as regards to God. What they're hoping for is to adventure God in a "effective means." How is that achieved? One course americans take is meditation. The different day I came across right here on a so-known as Christian web site:
right here's how to take a seat in the presence of God all through your meditation apply: opt for a quiet, comfy place to meditate. sit or lie down in a cushty position. that you can choose to go your legs or sit down in a chair. allow your self to let recommendations circulate by devoid of enticing them in thought. Let yourself talk a prayer, mantra or verse….
except you gain an altered state of focus?
That, brethren, is how Buddhists practice prayer. The Roman Catholic "desolate tract Fathers" (mystics) are accountable for introducing unbiblical contemplative prayer. Why, pray tell, would a Christian even trust borrowing from japanese religions, that are pagan, or from Catholic monks who have been taught by means of their Buddhist pals a way to achieve a deeper journey with God? agree with the implications!
what's more, why do Bible believing Christians think it's a good suggestion to repeat a mantra to attain an altered state of consciousness? where do you discover this within the Bible? Is biblical meditation about emptying one's mind? critically? No. When a believer practices biblical meditation their purpose should still be to fill their intellect with God's truths—truths about God's love, mercy, and style. Why do Christians do this? as a result of meditating on Scripture will aid them kind a Christian worldview.
I locate it superb the variety of professing believers who fail to remember their supply of moral habits comes from God's be aware not from some japanese guru or deceased Catholic monk. (I've covered this area many times here.)
The aspect I'm making is that a growing to be variety of Christians apparently do not care if their experiences line up with the Bible, despite the fact that the Bible is the Holy Spirit impressed, inerrant, and "best rule for religion and follow." The Bible should still be the Christian's final authority. length.
destiny playing cards
through the years I even have talked to many Christians who delve into all kinds of magical mystical practices to encompass contemplative prayer, yoga, and these days (are you sitting down?) destiny playing cards! What in blue blazes are fate cards you ask? with out getting too a long way afield, the cards are like tarot playing cards. The handiest change is that destiny cards have Bible topics. not rather, fate playing cards have been added by Bethel Church in Redding CA. Pastored by means of "Apostle" bill Johnson, the church is optimal popular for its college of Supernatural Ministry. literally hundreds of scholars come from many international locations every year to attend its bogus faculty. The cards are used with the aid of Bethelites to "follow the prophetic." Practitioners invite those who have an interest in finding out their future to book with team participants for my part for "deep consultations, curative, spiritual readings, & spirit cleansing." You can't make these things up. So naturally I warn individuals that the "spirit cleaning" they're hoping to achieve can in reality trigger non secular hurt. You'd be shocked by means of the enormous numbers of professing Christians who are not the least bit worried, as they trust Bethel's practitioners of witchcraft have prophetic gifts.
this present day one's experience with God trumps anything else He says in His written word.
You'll discover this type of factor within the New Ager's bible A direction in Miracles, most effective in the reverse. New Age adherents blend their beliefs, which encompass pantheism (God in all) with Christian terminology. The route has included common Christian terminology with phrases which are nontraditional. In other words, the path uses Christian phrases, nonetheless it completely adjustments the supposed meaning to mesh with their occult beliefs.
New religious Horizons
Many New Age practices are designed to push man forward into "new non secular horizons." anyway tarot card, blanketed in New Age practices are,
astral projection which is training your soul to go away your body and travel round; contacting spirits so they may communicate through you or e-book you; using crystals to purify your body's and mind's energy methods; visualization where you employ intellectual imagery to think about yourself as an animal, in the presence of a divine being, or being healed of illness, and so forth.
different beliefs encompass reincarnation, astrology, the magic arts, psychic healing, and the divinity of self or "Christ consciousness," which has nothing in anyway to do with Jesus Christ considering that Jesus is separated from what they dub "the Christ." for brand new Agers "the Christ" is divine and viewed as a cosmic, impersonal being. take heed to what Biblical Discernment Ministries says:
a tremendous idea in New Age considering is that of the "Christ consciousness." In other words, Christ is an workplace instead of an individual, reminiscent of Jesus, whom Christians comprehend to be THE CHRIST. This theory of "Christ consciousness" asserts that Jesus turned into not the handiest Christ, however that He geared up Himself to obtain the "Christ awareness" (i.e., He became a fine "religious master" who attained Christ awareness), as supposedly additionally did Buddha, Krishna, and Mohammed. [This is an old occult Gnostic teaching which stems from the ancient Babylonian mystery religions. New Agers also reinvent the historical Jesus by claiming that he spent 18 years in India (during His "silent years") absorbing Hinduism and the teachings of Buddha.] New Agers accept as true with that Jesus bought the Christ cognizance at His baptism, and that it left Him at His crucifixion. (source)
here is blasphemy. any person who holds this view of Jesus Christ is not, I repeat, no longer a Christian.
Syncretism
New Age beliefs have permeated Christendom through mixing numerous spiritual and occult beliefs. New Age spirituality has been added into churches through syncretism. The hodgepodge of distinct beliefs within the Church could be compared to a grocery store stocked with shelves of poisonous items able to be consumed by undiscerning believers hungry for "spirituality." In my article Evangelicalism Has Been Hijacked via 'Woke' Elitist modern 'Christians' I gave a short summation of the problems linked to syncretism:
As syncretism spreads, creeds, confessions, and doctrine get tossed apart leading to a simple exchange of beliefs. When reality declines, false instructing thrives. The wily serpent uses syncretism to separate God from His people. … Evangelicals have been assimilated into the realm because of it.
Following are a number of toxic actions, phenomena, and worldly practices that the body of Christ has made a steady weight-reduction plan of for a long time.
alternative medicine
Angelology
Charismaticism
Church increase-multi campus megachurches
Contemplative prayer
Corrupt Bible models (The Message; passion Translation; The Bible venture)
critical Race thought & Intersectionality (racist)
Democrat Christians (an oxymoron)
Emergent-rising Church
Enneagram
Experiential Christianity (experience trumps the Bible)
extra-Biblical revelation (new revelation from God; God talking directly to man, now not through His word)
international Peace
Man-founded (shallowness)
Man-made philosophy
Meditation (altered-states-of-cognizance)
Mysticism (supernatural)
New Apostolic Reformation (apostles & prophets)
Pragmatism (something works)
progressive Christianity (liberalism)
Prosperity/fitness & Wealth gospel
purpose driven (seeker churches)
Psychology (steeped in secular humanism)
signals & Wonders
Social Justice (one more gospel)
Spirituality
Twelve-steps
notice of religion (metaphysical)
Yoga (pagan practice)
There are much more toxic constituents that may, and little doubt will, get delivered to "syncretism stew." What readers need to be aware of is that every one these actions, phenomena and practices are unbiblical in varying degrees. it's essential for the true believer to grasp that all of the above will in no way feed your soul. in addition, you have got wandered into territory it really is forbidden via God.
Separation
The unhappy factor is that well-nigh each Bible believing Christian with an oz of discernment recognizes false instructing when it rears its ugly head. Discerning believers appreciate it and yet many do little to put a cease to it.
They find it intricate if not unimaginable to:
–break free professing Christian members of the family and chums who partake in occult practices
–cut loose "Christians" who spread false educating
–challenge family and pals who dangle heretical beliefs
–name out the ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing who prowl around the pasture the place little lambs graze
–relaxed consequences for the cultists, apostates and heretics
Many Christians suppose that it is extra critical to grasp family and friendships together than it's to grab a shepherd's criminal and beat again wolves in sheep's garb which are devouring Christ's liked. They consider that if they don't make waves and keep the peace, they should be capable of rescue these they care about from wolves. In these instances peace protecting is not what God's people are commanded to do! we are to "Contend for the faith that turned into as soon as for all delivered to the saints." Jude three:1-three
if you're one of those who dabble in above-mentioned practices, no matter what your intent is, you're in deep sin. On properly of that you are in insurrection against God. What have to you do to get appropriate with your Maker? Repent and forestall sinning (flee from evil).
i will shut with this admonition from Martyn Lloyd-Jones:
"Submitting yourselves one to a further within the fear of Christ" does not mean that you simply accommodate yourself to wrong educating and doctrine, that you say nothing when falsehood is being propagated. No! For it is a denial of all of the New testament. now not simplest that, it's a denial of one of the crucial most superb epochs and eras within the Christian Church. ~ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, lifestyles in the Spirit in Marriage, domestic & Work: An Exposition of Ephesians
research
Copyright with the aid of Marsha West, 2/14/21
No comments:
Post a Comment