BIBLE TOPICS

New Age

What is karma? Should a Christian see a hypnotist? What's the difference between magic and illusion? How about incense? Is smudging biblical?

Day One: Superstitions
Superstition is based on the ignorant faith of an object having magical powers. Another word for superstition is "idolatry." The Bible does not support the idea of things occurring by chance, but nothing is done outside of God's sovereign control...
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Day Two: Magic, Magicians, Illulsionists
There is a difference between the magicians spoken of in the Bible and the magicians and illusionists one sees today at parties and in stage show acts. The magicians in the Bible either gained their power from demonic forces or else they were little more than charlatans...
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Day Three: Visualization
Visualization is the process of forming mental images. Often, visualization involves envisioning events or situations that don't exist or that have not happened yet. Visualization can be spiritually healthy or spiritually unhealthy, depending on the situation...
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For more, see "What does the Bible say about crystals?"

Day Four: Hypnosis
Hypnosis is problematic for a Christian for several reasons...
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Day Five: Mantra
The word mantra is used to describe any thoughts, utterances, songs, or other sequences of words or sounds that are supposed to have spiritual efficacy or magical power. A mantra is defined as "a tool of the mind that has a spiritual effect on a person's will or emotional state of being"...
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For more, see "What does the Bible say about chanting? Should a Christian chant?"

Day Six: Karma
Karma is a theological concept found in the Buddhist and Hindu religions. It is the idea that how you live your life will determine the quality of life you will have after reincarnation. If you are unselfish, kind, and holy during this lifetime, you will be rewarded...
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Day Seven: Incense
At first glance, it seems pretty innocent to use incense. Other than a possible fire danger, is burning incense really a problem for the one who has put his or her trust in Jesus Christ?...
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For more, see "What does the Bible say about smudging?"

Image Credit: starbright; untitled; Creative Commons