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Many Christians are afraid of genuine biblical spirituality because Satan has stolen these practices so that now, many believers assume these forms of spirituality are themselves satanic. It’s time to reclaim these lost spiritual practices. |
The message was brief and urgent: “Dear Mama and Papa, Please don’t listen to Enya anymore. I’ll explain why when I get home.”
The letter was from our oldest child, away at Bible camp. Apparently, the pastor had told the young campers that New Age music makes your mind drift and when that happens, it invites demons in to take control of your mind. He even mentioned the Celtic music of Irish singer, Enya, by name as an example of what sort of music to avoid.
Karma. Meditation. Holistic. Transcendence. If you are like me, you have been taught that these are satanic practices drawn from Eastern religions. Obviously, Christians want nothing to do with anything satanic, so most Christians shun these practices.
This is unfortunate because in doing so, believers have ended up shunning legitimate spiritual practices that are taught in Scripture. Remember Satan isn’t creative. He can only entwine error with truth and the higher the ratio of truth to error, the more deceptive is the error.
Satan has stolen these genuine spiritual practices from Christians by clothing them in New Age terminology. It is time to take back these vital spiritual practices and reclaim our heritage of pure biblical spirituality.
"Do not be deceived: Yahuwah cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 2:7)
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“Do not be deceived: [Yahuwah] cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
(Galatians 6:7-10, NIV)
You cannot get a more “Eastern Religions” concept than the idea that what a person experiences is the result of his or her previous actions. Of course, Hinduism teaches that this plays out over multiple lifetimes, which is incorrect. But as a spiritual principle, Scripture teaches actions have consequences.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Yahuwah, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14, NKJV)
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight..." (Psalm 19:14)
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The definition of “meditate” is “To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion” (American Dictionary of the English Language).
The word “meditate” appears 14 times in Scripture. Nine of those are in the psalms. The word “meditation” appears six times in Scripture, all of them in the psalms. Meditation is closely linked with prayer and is one of the most important spiritual exercises in which we can engage. It is in meditating upon Yah’s word that the Holy Spirit can enlighten our minds to truth and settle us in so that we cannot be shaken. Psalm 49:3 supports this, declaring: “My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.”
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Yahushua Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV)
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “holism” as “A theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” This concept, long understood in the East, has recently been gaining influence in medical circles in the West. Scripture also teaches that there is a close connection between the body, the mind, and the spirit. Proverbs 3:7-8 teaches: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahuwah and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Yahuwah wants us to be fully rounded individuals: body, mind and spirit. Anything that impacts the body will have a ripple effect on the mind and spirit.
Transcendence
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what [Yahuwah’s] will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2, NIV)
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2)
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Transcendence may not sound familiar, but what about “transcendental meditation”? Transcendence simply means “The state of being beyond the range of normal perception” (The Century Dictionary). It is understandable that Christians would be leery of any practice that draws the mind and emotions to Satan – and there are plenty that do. At the same time, the whole reason the devil has made Christians afraid of transcendence is because it is powerful in true, godly spirituality. Second Corinthians 12:2 describes just this experience.
Those who hope in Yahuwah will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Obviously, there is a difference between the spiritual practices Satan has tried to co-opt and the pure spiritual exercises taught by Scripture. The difference is in the effect it has on the practitioner. New Age spiritual exercises elevate the self, often to the point of claiming divinity. I am not a god. You are not a god. There is only one true God, and that is Yahuwah. False spiritual exercises like to pander to the fallen human nature. They frequently contradict Scripture and can even be deceitful. Not so with the spiritual exercises unmixed with human error. These lead believers into a closer and more intimate relationship with our Creator and prepare us for the days ahead.
“And I heard another voice from heaven say, Go out of her, my people,
that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (1599 Geneva Bible)
This is not an invitation to join another denomination; this is a command to leave all organized religions. It is also an invitation to follow the Lamb into a deeper, more authentic spirituality than any you have ever experienced before. It is time to take back the spiritual practices Satan has stolen and enjoy a closer walk with the heavenly Father than you have ever had.
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For more information, watch for the WLC Radio program “Walking with Yah: Reclaim Your Spiritual Heritage!” |
