Wisdom is from God

There has been a steady rise in the popularity of New Age practices since the 1980s. Meditation, mindfulness, reiki healing, and yoga are commonplace.  Are the practices merely benign habits for health and wellness or are they, in actuality, the practice of pagan religion? Is there a place for any of the common New Age rituals in the life of a believer?

The New Age Movement consists of an eclectic range of beliefs and practices based on Buddhism and Taoism, psychology, psychotherapy, paganism, clairvoyance, tarot, and magic.  Included in the movement is belief in the power of healing through spiritual energy, nature, and astrology.  Mindfulness, self-awareness, and seeking psychic power are thought to elevate man affording him more control over his decisions.

Earl E. Bakken, Center for Spirituality and Healing, speaks to the components of mindfulness. He describes, “Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”  To the Christian, this sounds like a practice that could not harm.  It’s a “hyperfocus” on our mental state.

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  If then, by becoming mindful, are we seeking personal wisdom or wisdom from God?  Is mindfulness an opportunity to correct the lies our thoughts may contain?  Can a Christian be mindful and call on God for wisdom within the mindfulness, perhaps by meditation? Meditation may also be construed as New Age, however, the Bible has much to say on this subject.

• Psalm 119:15 ESV – “I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.”
• Psalm 104:34 – “May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”
• Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Meditation on scripture is a directive from the Bible.  

Have the New Age teachings surreptitiously invaded the church?

In her article on “dailyshepursues.com” Chelsey Paredes lists common New Age beliefs to be wary of in the church.  These are:

• “law of attraction” in which you may ask for and be awarded what you desire;
• “following your heart” whereby Christians can be guided through emotions and feelings to make their decisions;
• “oneness,” the act of becoming one with God by our sinlessness and not by our faith; and
• the belief that we are “mini gods” because with Christ in us we are also God, not children of God.

These trappings of New Age practices often leave God in the backseat and man in driving his destiny.

In Proverbs 28:26 it says, “Those who trust in themselves are fools.”  We should not trust our minds but seek the mind of God.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel