New Age Ideologies in Conflict with God

by | Posted April 10th at 5:36am

Here is a breakdown of many New Age ideologies and practices that are often cited as being in conflict with Scripture.

1. Core Ideologies (The “Why”)

These are the foundational beliefs that underpin most New Age actions.

Pantheism & Panentheism: The belief that “All is God” or that God is a “force” within everything. This contradicts the biblical view of a transcendent Creator who is distinct from His creation (Romans 1:25).
Self-Divinity: The idea that humans are “gods” or “divine beings” who have simply forgotten their power. This mimics the original deception in Genesis 3:5.
Relativism: The belief that there is no absolute truth and that everyone “creates their own reality.” This opposes Jesus’ claim in John 14:6 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).
Universalism: The idea that all paths lead to the same destination/God. Scripture teaches a “narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13-14).

2. Divination & Seeking Hidden Knowledge

Practices used to predict the future or gain “secret” information without the Holy Spirit. These are explicitly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Astrology: Looking to the stars and planets for guidance or to determine personality/destiny, rather than looking to the Maker of the stars.
Tarot Cards & Oracle Cards: Using randomized tools to “read” energy or predict outcomes.
Mediumship/Channeling: Attempting to communicate with the dead or “spirit guides.” Scripture identifies these “guides” as familiar spirits or demons (Leviticus 19:31).
Numerology: Assigning divine or mystical significance to numbers to navigate life.

3. Manifestation & Manipulation

The attempt to control one’s circumstances through spiritual “laws” or mental techniques.

Law of Attraction (LOA): The belief that thoughts have magnetic power to bring “good” or “bad” into life. This replaces Divine Sovereignty with human mental effort.
Visualization for Creation: Using the mind to “force” a reality into existence. In Christianity, we pray and submit to God’s will; we do not “visualize” to command the spiritual realm.
Affirmations (Self-Directed): Using “I am” statements to declare oneself as the source of power, rather than declaring who God is (e.g., “I am the architect of my life” vs. “God is the author and finisher of my faith”).

4. “Energy” Healing & Occult Anatomy

Practices based on the idea of a “vital life force” (Prana, Chi, Qi) that must be balanced.

Reiki: “Universal life energy” channeled through a practitioner’s hands. Biblically, healing comes through the power of Jesus, not an impersonal force.
Chakra Balancing: The belief in seven energy centers in the body. This is rooted in Hindu metaphysics, which attributes spiritual health to energy flow rather than the condition of the soul before God.
Crystal Healing: Attributing power or “vibrational properties” to stones to heal or protect. This is a form of animism (giving spirits/power to inanimate objects).

5. Altered States of Consciousness

Methods used to bypass the “conscious mind” to reach “higher dimensions.”

Transcendental/Empty-Mind Meditation: The goal of “emptying the mind” to reach enlightenment. Biblical meditation is the opposite: filling the mind with the Word of God (Psalm 1:2).
Astral Projection: Attempting to leave the body to travel in the spirit realm.
Psychedelics (Entheogens): Using drugs (Ayahuasca, mushrooms) to achieve spiritual “breakthroughs.” Scripture warns against pharmakeia (often translated as sorcery or magic potions).

The Biblical Litmus Test

If you are wondering if a practice is “ungodly,” ask these three questions:

Who gets the glory? (If it’s “Me” or “The Universe,” it’s not biblical.)
What is the source of power? (If it’s an impersonal “energy” or “vibration,” it’s not the Holy Spirit.)
What is the final authority? (If it’s my intuition or a deck of cards rather than the Bible, it’s a “Trojan Horse.”)

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” (1 John 4:1)

Are there specific practices you’ve encountered in a business or church context that you’re trying to evaluate?