A Cup of Grace – with a shot of espresso

Have you noticed a rising interest in spiritual things? By this I don’t necessarily mean that the church is fuller – though in some cases it may be.  No, I mean spiritual in the broad sense of the term – a growing awareness or hunger for the “other,” for something beyond this physical world. 

Some are turning to pagan deities – especially the Norse gods. On Tik Tok there’s a movement to “witch talk” that is popular among young women. Chakra stones are being sold in the mall. Classes to balance your energy are being offered all over. Then there’s horoscopes to help us prepare for the future or palm reading  and psychics to give us advice. Life is hard and complex, and we know we don’t hold all the answers. 

As people (especially young people) are realizing the emptiness of materialism and the fatalism of atheism, they are looking for answers to deeper questions. Questions that science can’t answer. Who am I? How did I get here? Do I have a purpose? Is there more to this than just surviving, acquiring and dying? What happens to those I love who die? Am I really cut off from them forever? Am I a god or am I an animal or am I a machine? Does it matter? 

Where you get your answers from matters – greatly. Jesus used the illustration of the man who built his house on the rock versus the man who built his house on sand (Matthew 7). No matter your belief in the Bible – the wisdom of the illustration still holds. What we choose to build our lives upon is of utmost importance. 

Let me boldly state that I believe that we are both physical and spiritual beings.  I believe that there is more to this world than can be seen with the naked eye. I’ve talked a lot about Jesus and God in a variety of posts, so none of that is a surprise if you’ve read any of my writing.  However, I also believe that Satan and demons exist. 

I do not believe in some force that can simply be used for good or for evil. Rather I believe in a distinct God who is holy, righteous, and good. I also believe that Satan, who rebelled against God and set himself up, is actively at work to destroy anything that God values. Therefore, I believe (and the Bible teaches – I Peter 5:8) that Satan and his forces are actively at work in the world around us. 

Why do I bring this up? Because if people aren’t turning to God, they are choosing things designed by Satan to deceive and pull us away. That’s easy to spot in things like “Witch Talk” or the worship of Norse deities. But what about some of the others? Palm readers, psychics and horoscopes are all things people are turning to for wisdom and answers. None of them point people to scripture. God tells us not to worry about our future but to trust Him. (Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians 4:6-7) In fact, in the Old Testament, God gives clear warnings against mediums. (See Leviticus 19: 31.) We have prayer and scripture to talk to the God of the Universe! Why would we chase anything else?

What about Chakrah stones and energy balancing? If you are a believer, you are filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). Are you telling me that the Holy Spirit is “out of balance” somehow? Why are you depending on “energy” for creativity, peace, harmony, love etc, when God offers that through his Spirit. (Galatians 5:19 lists witchcraft as something to be avoided but goes on to say in verses 22 and 23 – “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.) 

None of these things, from Witch Talk to Chakrah stones, has any place in a Christian’s life. I know those are strong words. But if you look into each, you will see that none of them cause you to reach toward God. They are a search for answers and meaning in other things. But let me say something even more controversial. I am concerned that when you begin to dabble in these things, they are not harmless. 

In fact, I believe you are moving toward the things of the occult. There are two powers in this world: God and Satan. If you are seeking power, knowledge, meaning outside yourself, these are your two options. So if answers are being offered and they aren’t from God, there is only one other option. What are we hoping they will give us that God doesn’t provide? Satan whispers, as he did to Eve in the garden, that God is holding out on us. It’s the oldest of lies in human history. And we are still falling for it. 

So if you’ve been drawn to some of these other “spiritual paths,” let me speak a strong word of caution. You are not pursuing things that please God or honor Him, and you may be opening yourself up to influences you don’t want in your life.  If you haven’t been drawn in but know others who are, offer them Jesus. All of our deepest longings are met in Him alone.