With rising concerns about new age beliefs and practices influencing the Christian Church, how can we be assured that our spiritual experiences are scripturally sound and Christ honoring? How can we tell if a supernatural manifestation is legitimate or leading us astray?
I would like to offer six main differences between a Christian’s understanding of spiritual realities and someone engaged in New Age practices. Though this list is by no means exhaustive, it may be a launching pad for further study, reflection, and prayer.
If we as the Church do not offer this next generation clarity and guidance regarding the supernatural realm and spiritual gifts, they will simply look elsewhere. And the enemy will take full advantage and offer them countless counterfeit opportunities that will only lead to destruction. Let’s pray we can keep an open mind and open heart as we seek to grow in our understanding of realms unseen.
1] UNDERSTANDING OF DIVINITY AND HUMAN NATURE
New Age: Those involved in new age practices do not acknowledge any divine Being, but rather see divinity in all of creation, including humans. Their path to fulfillment is to realize the full potential of divinity within themselves and create their own version of reality through their thoughts and practices.
Christian: Believe in one omnipotent, omnipresent, Creator God who is distinct from all other gods and altogether holy. He created us in His own image and longs to have relationship with us. We are born into sin because of The Fall, and yet God has created a way back into fellowship with Him through believing in His Son, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 1:8, Ephesians 2:8-10)
2] SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL POWER AND AUTHORITY
New Age: Views the source of spiritual power as an impersonal, cosmic energy or consciousness that all can tap into through various practices. Power comes, not from any God of authority, but from within each human being as they align with the powers of the universe.
Christian: All spiritual gifts and power come from the one true God who is both personal and eternal. Humans have no power or authority on their own, but receive the power of the risen Christ through surrender and obedience to God the Father. This is not earned, but given as a free gift. (James 4:7, Ephesians 1:19-21, Galatians 2:20)
3] FEEDING FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OR THE TREE OF LIFE
New Age: Look to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because knowledge is power. The more enlightenment one receives, the higher spiritual dimensions can be reached. The more one knows, the more satisfaction and life one can find. Pursuit is focused on gaining more understanding in how the universe works so that life and peace can be achieved.
Christian: Life and happiness can only be found in obedience to God’s Word and submission to His ways. The need to know or understood always yields to the greater value of trusting in a Father who gives us life. This is achieved, not by human effort, but by grace and faith in the power of Christ. (Proverbs 3:5-7, John 8:31-32)
4] PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES
New Age: Emphasizes personal experience and human intuition as primary sources of truth. Spiritual experiences help to achieve greater cosmic consciousness such as using spirit guides or entering into altered states of consciousness. Experiences are for the purpose of gaining more enlightenment. Helping others may be a by-product, but is generally not the primary reason for pursuit.
Christian: Spiritual experiences are meaningful when properly approached, interpreted, and applied using the Word of God as the anchor of all truth. Experiences can serve to compliment and confirm what God’s Word has already revealed, and should never be the primary means of guidance, direction, or focus. Our pursuit is first in knowing Jesus, and then making Him known to others. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, 1 Samuel 28, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Peter 1:15-16)
5] UNDERSTANDING OF EVIL AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICT
New Age: Views suffering and negativity as the lack of understanding or misaligned energy – not because of sin or “evil.” There is no “Satan,” and no need for a Savior. Thus, any conflict is the result of focusing on negative things instead of positive.
Christian: Death, suffering, evil, and pain are the consequences of sin. There is a real devil and he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. We are instructed to be victors over the enemy and the works of darkness through the power of the cross and the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Acts 26:17-18)
6] PATH TO SALVATION AND TRANSFORMATION
New Age: Salvation is achieved through self-awareness and spiritual enlightenment. It is the realization of one’s own divinity through personal effort.
Christian: Salvation is a gift of grace from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, and cannot be earned by human works. (Romans 6:23, Titus 3:4-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Summation regarding these two different approaches to supernatural experiences:
- New Age practitioners resist God’s sovereignty and deny Jesus’ divinity. Thus, their experiences will be void of any reference to either. Biblical Christians will always make Jesus central to any and all subjective spiritual experiences. Experiences will be for the purpose of exalting Christ and not themselves or the experience.
- New Age practitioners presume their own power being the source of any breakthrough. Biblical Christians acknowledge it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit by which any truth, revelation, or breakthrough can occur.
- New Age practitioners pursue information, knowledge, and enlightenment concerning themselves and how the universe works. Biblical Christians pursue God, His Word, and revelation about Jesus as initiated by Holy Spirit. Their goal is to reveal Christ and Him crucified.
- New Age practitioners deem truth to be whatever they feel is right and good. Biblical Christians submit to the truth of God’s Word and make whatever necessary adjustments to their own flesh in order to align with God’s highest purpose and will.
Conclusion (thus far!): I believe that any spiritual or supernatural experience will only be properly understood when we embrace God’s Word as our anchor and foundation. Subjective spiritual experiences may not always be proven by a specific scripture. Even so, we must make our pursuit of Jesus and knowing His Word as the highest priority, not having spiritual encounters or experiences. If we can keep Jesus central – to know Him, and make Him known – I believe God can use these experiences to mature us in our faith and deepen our love for Him and others.
These are merely a few considerations on this extensive topic. What would YOU add to the conversation?
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