Posted in The Hard Truth

Last night we had a wonderful time visiting friends who have been putting together a video series that talks about  New Age practices which are making their way into the local church.  I'll have to let you know more as they complete the series. This is really a very interesting topic, and for years I have used alternative medicine to help us through the non-insurance times.  Lately, however, we have been on a quest to really define which practices are acceptable and pleasing to the Lord, and which ones aren't.  I know this is a very controversial subject so I will try to be as forthright as I can without causing a stampede of "flaming"  comments on my blog (LOL).  My goal is not to share this information with you out of a place of perfection, but rather out of a place of humility and "fear of the Lord," as a watchman on the wall.  This is our journey into truth, regarding alternative health.  I am certainly not an expert on the subject by any means, and am still trying to sort it all out, but here is what we've come across so far. . . .

I think the big question is "What is the root and fruit."  With any alternative medicine I want to know (1) where it originated and the religious belief system  associated (2) What kind of fruit is it bearing?  Is it rooted in anything that is contrary to scripture? As Dr. David Haase so eloquently says in his review of  the Basic Questions On Alternative Medicine: What Is Good And What Is Not  (HERE) "Our obedience and submission to the one true God must be paramount and not denigrated by the form of healing we pursue—whether conventional or alternative."

Also God clearly tells us in Matthew 7:15-20 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them."   

Can some alternative medicine methods do good things for us?  Yes, and in many instances people are seeing miraculous results, however do not confuse these good results as being "good fruit." Even Pharoah's magicians were able to do miracles, and turn their rods into snakes, however the end result was hardness of heart (Exodus 7:11). God warns His people and calls them to a higher standard when He says in 1 Samuel 6:6 "Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? The risk is just not worth it! 1 Corinthians 10:21-23 "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons."

It is our desire to be pleasing to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in all that we do, and it is our deepest prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to convict us in those areas of our life which we need to consecrate unto the Lord, and for us, right now, it is the area of alternative medicine. We do not want to fall prey to deception in any way, and it is only fitting that we question and test the spirits behind some of these practices.  In 1 John 4:1-6 John is speaking to believers. He calls them "beloved," and says we are not to "believe every spirit" but "test" them as to "whether they are of God." Why? Because there are "many false prophets" who have "gone out into the world."  Here is the full scripture on that:

1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.KJV

 to know whether the root of these alternative medicines are from God or not is of the utmost importance. Here are some more scriptures which contain biblical warnings about deception: Hebrews 5:14; Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 24:4-5; Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:23-26; Acts 20:28-31; I Corinthians 15:33-34; I Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 5:6-17; Colossians 2:1-8; I Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:13; I John 2:26

Having said all of that . . . I am hoping to share some of the things we are learning about the New Age and its subtle practices "creeping into the church," so we can all be aware of it, watch out for it, and keep this from taking over and hindering the work of the Lord in our lives, and in the life and well-being of the church.

The first thing we want to talk about is Life Energy (Frequency) Therapies. Some words that are commonly associated with New Age and/or Life-Force/ Energy Therapies are as follows (I came across these words while researching): 
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Accupuncture, Age Of Aquarius, Alchemy, Angel Guides, Angelic Channeling, Ankh, Anthroposophy, Ashram, Astral Projection, Astral Cartography, Astrology, Aura, Automatic Handwriting, Ayurveda, frequency, Bach flower Remedies,  Bio-Ray Bracelets, Black and White Magic, Bowen Technique, Biofeedback, Brahman, Buddhism, Centering Prayer, Chakra, Channeling, Chanting, Charmstones, Chromotherapy, Clairvoyance, Chi, Colloidal Silver, Cosmic Energy, Cryptozoology, Crystal Healing, Chrystal Divination, Dalai Lama, Dancing With The Cosmos, Deepak Chopra, Dianetics (L. Ron Hubbard), Divine Self, Dousing, Dreamcatchers, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Druidism, Eastern Mysticism, Eco-Spirituality, Eckankar, Electromagnetic therapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), E-Meter, Enneagram, Enlightenment, Etheric Light Body Work, Firewalking, Faeries, Flower oF Life, Fung Shui, Geopathic Theory, Guided Imagery, Energy (spirituality), Global Unity and Harmony, Gnosticism, Goddess, Energy field distubance, ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), Hands of Light, Hinduism, Hare Krishna, Holistic Kinesiology, Holotropic Breathwork, Homeopathy, Horoscope, House Healings (cleansings), Human Potential Movement,  Hypnotherapy,  Ionized or Ionic Bracelets, Ingmar Free Energy Symbols, Immortality Devices, Kabbalah, Karma,  Labyrinth, Law of Similars, Lords of Light, Lord Buddha, Lotus Flower, Life Force, Magnet Therapy, Morphic Resonance, Mother Nature, Necromancy, Nirvana, Past Life Regression Therapy, Pilates, Prana, Psychic Healing or counseling, Pyramids, Mandala, Mantra, Martial Arts Terms (Ki, Chi, Qi), Meridians, Merkaba Meditation, Metaphysical, Mirror world, Moxa, Mystical, QT Inc. or Q-Ray, Namaste, Native American Spirituality, Naturalism, Nishino Breathing Method, Oracle, Out -of -Body Work (or soul travel), Portals, Quackery, Quantum-Touch, Quigong, Radiant Energy, Reflexology, Reiki, Reincarnation, Sacred Geometry, Scientology, Seichem or Sekhem, Seitai, Shamanism, Shen, Shiatsu, Silva Mind Control, Somatic Psychotherapy, Sonopuncture, Spirit Guides, Spirit Releasement, Swami (spiritual master), Sugmaud, Succussion, Stoa, Synergistic Thinking, Tapas Accupressure Technique, Taoism, Tantra, Tarot Reading, Tibetan High Frequency Remedies, Tonify, The Secret Book & movie, Therapeutic Touch, Trance Work, Transcendentalism, Transpersonal Psychology, Truth Is Relative, UFO's, Unitarian Universalist Church, Unity Church, Universal Love, Universal Life Force, Vibrational Psychology, Vibrational Energy Healing, Viridian Method, Witchcraft, World Triad symbol, Yoga, Yogi or Yogini, Yin and Yang, Zodiac Signs, Zen Buddhism [note: links have not been provided for these terms because we do not want to  promote New Age sites, however it is more as a reference.]  
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In our church we recently had some trusted friends introduce us to something called "frequency cards," and "pendants."  They were explaining to us how everything has a certain frequency attached to it and the lower the frequency the less vital the life.  They showed us how one card or pendant could be used to make colloidal silver, and another could block the flow of negative frequencies from cell phones and computers.  Another would help you sleep, and yet another would give you more energy.  We thought it was a bit far-fetched at first, but when we brought the items home to use we were amazed at their ability to help.  Hubby had pain in his right shoulder, so used a special small metal frequency item secured with a bandaid, on his shoulder for a few days.  Whalah the pain had ceased and he felt great!  However when he took the frequency metal off of his shoulder the pain returned in a few days.  It made us wonder . . . is this therapy based strictly on science (which is what our friends were telling us) or something more? We had red flags in our spirits but didn't know why.  After all, we trusted these people and new they loved the Lord. However I believe they have been innocently exposed to these items just as we have been.

Warning about these items, Or Anything Similar
Sample of "frequency" items.  They are hard to see but the middle one has a pyramid on it and  the words "Talk Sacred," while on the back is says "Walk Sacred."  There are other words "Nememhah Nafera 1993" printed around the pyramid. Nafera stands for Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993, which (in plain terms) promotes the freedom of Indians to practice their religion, which for most it is Shamanism (occultic witchcraft). On the back is a picture of the four animal spirits which the practitioner likes to shape-shift into. 

Close up

Wow!  I wish I would have done my homework a long time ago on the words and symbols that are represented on these pendants. Godly Discernment is key when being introduced to something new. We have recently found out that the term "frequency," as used with these products, is synonymous with another term called "Life Force," or "Life Energy therapies" and over at www.inplainsite.org Pat Zukeron talks about this type of therapy further, and explains how there are over  "60 different names for these therapies, they are all based on six fundamental principles. Practitioners [ from Can You Trust Your Doctor? The Complete Guide To New Age Medicine And Its Threat To Your Family, by John Ankerberg and John Weldon] believe that life energy [or frequency]flows throughout the universe. There are numerous names for this impersonal energy. Traditional Chinese medicine calls this energy "Chi" while Indian Ayurvedic medicine titles it "Prana." Some Christians mistakenly equate this with the Holy Spirit. The two are not the same.

 He goes on to say:

Life energy therapists believe that humans are composed of energy surrounded by a material body. Life energy therapy directs this energy so that it flows throughout the body unhindered. Disease is believed to be the result of an imbalance or blockage in the energy flow. Traditional Chinese medicine describes an elaborate system of channels within the body called meridians. To cure an illness, the body must be manipulated to restore the flow of energy through the meridians.

Traditional Chinese and Indian practitioners believe they can determine one's energy flow by looking at the skin color, symptoms, tongue, and pulse. Therapeutic touch practitioners say they can sense the energy flow by moving their hands above the skin. Supposedly there are now high tech machines that can measure this energy flow. Many of these machines, for example the Vegatest and its spin-offs, have been deemed fraudulent and are illegal. [Paul Reisser, Dale Mabe and Robert Velarde, Examining Alternative Medicine -An Inside Look At The Benefits And Risks p. 85-86]

It is said that life energy can be re-directed to treat an offending illness. Life energy therapists believe they can adjust the flow of energy through physical manipulation or invisible transfer from healer to patient. In traditional Chinese medicine, needles are used to unplug holes or stimulate the flow of this energy. Massage, exercise, and herbs are also believed to restore Chi as are breathing and meditation techniques.

Miracles are believed to occur by altering the life energy. This is the message presented in Star Wars. In the movie, the Jedi masters could control the life energy, or Force, to perform miraculous feats. The concept of God and energy are used interchangeably. From this we can conclude that life energy is, in essence, God. Since we are energy, we are divine because we are of the same essence as the Divine.

Christians should avoid therapists who expound life energy therapy. Many ideas are built on a pantheistic worldview, causing these therapies to embrace or at least acknowledge Eastern mysticism. Also, their teachings have drifted far from objective knowledge of the human body. Finally, God is not an impersonal force, and He cannot be manipulated by formulas or healing rituals. God will not heal through any practice that is contrary to His Word.

So whether it is essential oils, frequency cards, colloidal silver, pendants, etc. we need to remember that if our faith is not in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is in these items to heal us, then we are embracing a false god. These items will not help us increase our faith in God, but steal it, and ultimately harden our hearts toward the TRUTH! We will be taking a look at some of the other alternative therapies that are being introduced within the church in the coming weeks and months as we continue to research, pray and seek the Lord as to His TRUTH, and not the relative truth, about these topics.

Psalms 91:2-4 "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." KJV

Blessings to your family as you consider this topic further,

P.S. - It is interesting to note that a pantheistic worldview is also dominating the agenda of the environmental policies of both the United States and the United Nations.  Please see Dr. Michael Coffman's "Discerning The Times" article on this Pantheistic (and ultimately New World Order) agenda at http://www.newswithviews.com/Coffman/mike4.htm

Extra Note: From His website it says, "Dr. Michael Coffman is currently President of Environmental Perspectives, Inc. (EPI), and Executive Director of Sovereignty International. EPI focuses on providing professional guidance and training in defining environmental problems and solutions based on Judeo-Christian principles of stewardship as contrasted with pantheistically-based environmentalism."  To read his bio please go HERE