in , , ,

Is The Law of Attraction Compatible with Christianity? -Part 2

In order to answer the question of whether or not the law of attraction is compatible with Christianity, we first need to define and clarify what the law of attraction is.

In part 1 of this article, we explored the basic elements of the law of attraction, looked at the physical and spiritual nature of it, considered the occult & New Age use of it, and how that same pagan way has even insidiously swept through the Church; Yet, aside from the various applications, we may see this to be a morally neutral component of the order God created,  which could be used for either good or evil.

In this part, we will consider this element within a Christian context and see how it’s described and demonstrated throughout the scriptures.

 

God-Centered

We already covered the vital importance of having well-placed faith in God as opposed to faith in self. As we consider how the element of the law of attraction is rendered in biblical accounts and precepts, it’s important to keep in mind that God is the source of all power and provision  (Deuteronomy 8:7-10).

If the law of attraction is indeed a life-force, then it is God Who gives that life-force;

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to make wealth…”Deuteronomy 8:18

Baring this in mind is of the essence of our faith. So often we want to take credit for our success, but even when we’ve been so wise and worked so hard to accomplish such, it still is God who has given us the means to do so.

Biblical Descriptions of the Law of Attraction

  • Properly placed objectivity:   Commit your works to the LORD and your thoughts will be established”  Proverbs 16:3
  • The power of thoughts:   As a man thinks, so he is   –Proverbs 23:7
  • The providential element:  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose   –Romans 8:28

Elements of The Law of Attraction in Biblical Terms

The more we understand the sovereignty of God, the less likely we would make the mistake of discrediting the Creator and King of the universe. The law of attraction is simply a component of the order God created. So let us explore in more detail now.

Biblical Instructions Including the Element of the Law of Attraction

It’s important to remember that proper use of the law of attraction is not just wanting and asking from God, but being thankful and grateful for what God has already given. The fruits of the Spirit such as faith, hope and joy are vital elements of the God given life-force with Almighty God as the focal point. Notice the well-rounded instructions of such principles in the following passage:

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything with supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

The following passage puts great emphasis on the fundamental element of faith in God – which includes the powerful element of being laser-focused on the precepts of God while having courage, and the rewards that it brings:

Joshua 1:7-9 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have great success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Biblical Demonstrations of The Law of Attraction

It’s very important to remember the law of attraction is not the end all, but is just a means to an end; And God does, of course often use ‘means’ to accomplish His purposes. Below are a few examples of biblical accounts that demonstrate, or at least include the law of attraction as part of the means in which God’s order prevails:

Jacob, the patriarch of Israel, is a perfect example (despite his blunders) of someone who may be included in the “Everything He Touches Turns to Gold” list. Below are some examples of how, in his faith and under God’s sovereign order,  the element of the law of attraction was working so that Jacob prospered greatly in his life:

Joseph, the youngest son of Jacob, fleshed-out a dramatic story of manifesting his God-given dreams by the sovereignty of God; and if you pay attention, you may find elements of the law of attraction in this amazing story told in Genesis, chapters 37-47.

Hanah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, gives a very notable demonstration of the law of attraction within the context of her genuine faith and intense desire to have a child. – 1 Samuel 1:1-20.

David, king of Israel and prophet of God, has a testimony of great zeal for God demonstrated in numerous instances, which include the element of the law of attraction which rest upon the foundation of faith  beneath the overarching umbrella of Gods providence:    1st & 2nd Samuel

(Again, the success is not because of the law of attraction, but because of God. God is the cause-agent, while the law of attraction is merely a means.)

Jesus, the divine Son of God, came to earth in the flesh to fulfill His redemptive mission through His life, death and resurrection. He had a way of attracting His elect as if He were a walking mega-magnet, which drew-in the humble hearts who received Him and repelled the proud who opposed Him. Though at present, He is not with us in bodily form, the Spirit of Jesus continues drawing His people toward Him.

Fatal Attraction
So far, we’ve looked at scriptural references that show the law of attraction being described and demonstrated in a positive way, but now lets take a glance at the other side. This observation is not only for our warning, but also to see the magnificence of Gods providential care, Who can draw out extreme positives from every extreme negative:

Samson, was a judge of Israel of the Nazirite order who had a taste for naughty Canaanite women. His story demonstrates how God uses the treachery of his attraction to fulfill a divine plan of deliverance in Judges chapters 13-16.

Saul was the first king of Israel- who was attractive to man, but not to God, as he was prone to haste and drawn toward pride and vanity with a significant lack of faith and obedience to God. This led to his spiraling demise, but opened the door for the the great king David in 1 Samuel chapters 15-31.

David & Bathsheba had an adulterous affair that escalated to murder, which left a strain of tragic misfortune within Davids legacy. Despite this treachery, God forgave David and blessed his marriage with Bathsheba even to the extent of bringing forth the succeeding King Solomon from their union. 2 Samuel chapters 11-12

Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus out of fear, greed and deficient character, created a tragic fate for himself.  While his outcome appears to be in the ultimate negative, God uses him along with the Pharisees‘ deathly attraction to power and prestige to accomplish the atoning work of redemption. Luke chapters 22-24

Careful What You Ask For…

Jacob insisted on wrestling with God to get a blessing. God granted him his wish, but it came with a permanent hip injury which left Jacob gimping the rest of his life.    Genesis 32:24-30

Israel, Gods first chosen people, no longer wanted to be a theocracy, but desired and demanded a monarchy like all the other nations. God granted them their wish for a king, but included a little disclaimer about the liabilities of kings. Despite the struggle between the rule of man and the rule of God, this royal line led to the true king, Christ Jesus.    1 Samuel 8.

Hezekiah, a noble king of Judah who received prophesy of his soon-coming death, resisted Gods word and begged God to spare his life. God healed him and prolonged his days. While this appeared to be a happy story, during the extension of Hezekiah’s life, he foolishly gave sensitive information to Babylonian diplomats and even more tragically, bore a son (Manasseh) who succeeded him to be one of the most vile and blood-thirsty king’s in history. 2 Kings 20-21

Example of God Intervening in the Misuse of The Law of Attraction Balaam was a sorcerer who used the law the attraction with his magic to curse people. He was hired by the king of Moab to defeat Israel with his power, but God caused only blessings to come from his mouth.    Numbers 22-23

Elymas the sorcerer sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith, but was struck with blindness by the Holy Spirit via Paul the Apostle.    Acts 13:6-12

Israel’s Disobedience – as the nation of Israel had continually forsaken their God, we see divine judgement come in many forms, and one of those forms comes in the reversal of the natural law of reaping & sowing, whereby God cuts off the natural life-force of their agriculture – so they sow, but do not reap. – Micah 6:15Jeremiah 12:13

 

Misconceptions and Errors

One of the great misconceptions is the idea that we always must have positive thoughts and words, and we should avoid all and anything negative. Positive confessions & affirmations and visualization will expel all negativity and create a positive reality. Sorry, but this is not reality but fantasy.

The reality, more often than not, is having to first address the negative so to properly clear the way for the positive. Anyone familiar with the scriptures may see how Jesus had many negative things to deal with, and many negative things to say about it (Matthew 7:15-23  –  Matt 23 – Matt 26:2 John 8:31-47) ; And His Apostles had the same kind of negative things to deal with as well, which could not be ignored, nor magically vanished away through mere positive confessions & affirmations and visualization.

And speaking of positive affirmations, look at the story of the two men in Luke 18:9-14, who each esteemed themselves differently; one man, a Pharisee, esteemed himself very positively, as the other man, a tax collector, humbled himself before God. And which man did God approve of? If you don’t know, read it to find out.

Christ and the Apostles had to deal with heavy spiritual battles (Matt 26:36-49Ephesians 6:12-142nd Corinthians 11:23-28)  they had to contend with “the principalities & powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” .

And that is so for all who seriously follow Christ, who conquer the dragon –HOW?— not by visualization nor any positive jive — but “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and did not cling to their lives even in the face of death.Revelation 12:11

Another error is the idea of taking these occult mind-sciences and thinking we can “Christianize” them. This idea of syncretism ignores the fundamental concept of being sanctified (set apart from the corruption of the world)  We simply cannot presume to please God by blending together holy things with unholy things; And dressing it with Christian garb does not change its essence.

Speaking Into Existence?
The idea of speaking things into existence is another facet of the law of attraction surrounded with misconceptions and errors. The scriptures do testify of the power of the tongue, yet balances that power and capacity with the limitations of human nature as well as God ordained parameters we are to abide in.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor which appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance, and all such boasting is evil.”James 4:13-16

Much can be said about this idea of speaking into existence, as I have already written on this significant subject – Is Death and Life Really in the Power of the Tongue?

 

Keeping Our Objectivity

In conclusion, I will repeat how very important it is to remember the law of attraction is not the end-all, but only a means to an end. The ultimate focus of Christianity is the Holy Trinity — not our wish list, not the universe, nor mind sciences, but Almighty God — and indeed He is the Almighty Creator, and we are His created; and we must denounce that oldest lie in the book which that serpent retorts, “…and you will be like God…”   –Gen 3:5

Keeping that perspective is of the essence in the endeavors of a Christian life and remembering that God is not subject to us, but it is we who are subject to God.

 

 


 

 

Sources
-Word & Spirit of God, Who Was and Is and Is to come
-Constance Cumbey- reseacher,author “The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow”
-Frits Springmeier- researcher, author “Wise as Serpents”
-Justin Peters -Christian apologist & theologian
-Johanna Michaelsen- occult expert, author ‘The Beautiful Side of Evil’
-Dr Scott Johnson- researcher, teacher
-Dave Hunt -Christian apologist
-Chris White- researcher, filmmaker, teacher

Occult Sources (not endorsed but referenced strictly for research purposes)
-Manley P Hall -Morals and Dogma
-Albert Pike -The Secret Doctrine
-Helena Blavatsky -A Manuel of the Lodge
-Albert G Mackey -Esoteric Philosophy Archive
-Alice A Bailey -The Secret Teachings of All Ages

Comments are closed.

4 Comments

Avatar photo

Written by Scott Yonker