The Book of Ecclesiastes states there is nothing new under the sun, and many heresies, sins, false doctrines, and lies get recycled. New age spiritualism is often a combination of bits and pieces of other religions and spiritual practices smashed together.
From witchcraft, to voodoo, to meditation and chanting, various faiths and religious practices have promised practitioners that through their own actions or force of will, they can bring what they want into reality. Some require exchange of some sort, but manifestation as it has become popular in the 21st century is an exercise of will.
Essentially, in new age spirituality, manifestation is the practice of making one’s desires a reality by practicing focus, affirmation, and clear thinking. Sometimes energy channeling through a medium such as crystals is also involved. Generally, practitioners of this style of manifestation identify as spiritual, but it is often put into the framework of other religions to make it appealing to a wide range of people.
- Money
- Love
- Power
- Good things for other people
- Bad things for other people
- Desired physical objects (a car, a house, etc)
- Jobs
Biblically and scientifically speaking, there is nothing to suggest that human beings have the ability to manifest anything. The ability to make things happen in the world through sheer force of will has no scientific backing. It is also not seen as something done in the Bible, or hinted at in the Bible.
What is addressed in the Bible is witchcraft. In witchcraft, someone gives an exchange for something to happen in a supernatural way. Manifestation is similar, except there is no expectation of exchange and it is the power of the individual that brings on the desired change. While they are different, witchcraft and manifestation are a similar type of sin, in which one is setting themselves in the place of God by trying to usurp God’s will and power. The reason the Bible says, “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23a) is because the root of rebellion against God and witchcraft is the desire to exercise one’s will over God’s will.
While one could argue that manifestation is a kind of faith, the faith of a Christian is built on fundamentally different foundations. The basis of manifestation is that a person has the power to make something happen. Christian faith is rooted in the belief that God will fulfill His promises, and that He can do anything, so if it is His will, He will answer prayer in the affirmative; if He answers in the negative, He has another plan.
It is okay to ask for blessings from the Lord, and to want them. Christians should go the Lord and talk to Him. But be willing to accept that we don’t always get what we want in this life, but there are greater blessings we will enjoy for eternity. Avoid the temptation to try to manifest, as the Bible says Christians should rely on God, walking by faith, and trusting the Lord know best.
Sources
Groothius, Doug. Confronting the New Age. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1988.
The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of New Age Religions.
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Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.
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