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More and more of those who profess Christ are "experiencing God" in ways that lands them smack dab in the middle of the New Age movement. It's not like they haven't been warned about experimenting with mysticism. They've been warned plenty, yet they totally disregard wise counsel. So if you're among the sheep who have gone astray, consider the Bible's wise counsel: "It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him" (Deut 13:4).I must admit I'm mystified (pun intended) as to why so many Christians are choosing to leave the narrow road Jesus spoke of and follow Oprah down the broad road that leads to destruction. What's up with that?The Bible says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," not Oprah!Reading God's Word to know Him and His ways just doesn't cut it for some so-called Christians, which is why a number of them are venturing into the astral plane hoping to connect with God on a "deeper level beyond your thinking." Even though Scripture is opposed to any form of mysticism (2 Chronicles 33:6), many Christians are joining "Christian yoga" classes and praising the health benefits-even getting their kids involved. Sly markeeters sell Christians on yoga's good mind/body health benefits (Deepak Chopra, anyone?), plus they say it will help you to "apprehend God."As an extra-added bonus you can tone those flabby abs!There's big bucks to be made from yoga. In America it's a $30 billion-a-year business. And speaking of big bucks, McDonald's is masterful at marketing their products to consumers. When your run of the mill hamburger is promoted as the Big-Tasty® the gullible public, mouths watering, head straight to the golden arches! The Big-Tasty® sure tastes good, but is it good for you? The burger contains 8 grams of saturated fat, 70 grams of cholesterol, and 500 calories per serving. Sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen.Christians are being lured into "Christian yoga" by promises of good health. Sure, it's a tad New Age, but what's the big deal? I mean, everyone's doin' it, so it's a good thing…right? Does that kinnd of logic not make your blood boil?Affixing a new handle to an ancient Hindu practice may make it palatable for the Christian consumer, but it doesn't change the fact that offering yoga in a Christian setting is unacceptable. You cannot separate yoga from the Hindu religious system. As I said in my commentary, Christian Yoga? C'mon!, "Classical yoga is intended to put one into an altered state of consciousness. Believers who think they're 'just exercising' are being swept into a counterfeit religion." Eastern mysticism leads to destruction. But that doesn't stop some Christians from involving themselves in "kything prayer" (KP), which is another unbiblical kind of prayer and meditation. This bizarre prayer practice will astound even the most well informed followers of Jesus Christ. One way to engage in KP is the Enneagram, which is a heresy of the first order. I'll get to "kything" in a moment. But first a bit about "contemplative prayer" AKA "centering prayer." For centuries Catholic mystics have engaged in contemplative prayer. Today Catholics and Protestants alike practice CP. Carmelite nun and Spanish mystic, St. Teresa of -- vila, "a very much-loved contemplative Catholic saint" spent hours in meditation, which she called the "prayer of quiet."She recommended the following prayer technique to another nun:"Pray the Lord's Prayer, but take an hour to pray it. Spend a few minutes entering into each individual phrase, until it becomes truly the prayer of your heart, and you become the prayer."
I have no clue what "become the prayer" means, but Jesus Christ never taught His followers any such thing. He never taught them to empty their minds, which is what occurs during Transcendental meditation. The "prayer of quiet" has its roots in Eastern mysticism, not the Bible. People will argue that Catholic monks have been engaging in CP for centuries, like that alone should make it acceptable. However, it doesn't negate the fact that meditation goes against the express teaching of Scripture. "Let no one be found among you…who practices divination or sorcery, iinterprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead" (Deut. 18:10-11)....
By Marsha West
To be continued in part 2
As in the days of Noah....
