New Age Movement — Spiritual Deception and the Christian Response
A loosely organised worldview and philosophy of life that has dramatically altered traditional Western culture, promoting alternative
approaches to religion, medicine, the environment, education, politics and psychology through a blend of Eastern mysticism, occult practices
and spiritualism.
The Nature of the New Age Movement
Although it is called 'The New Age Movement' (NAM), it has no central leadership, no formal statement of beliefs and no unified organisational structure. It is instead a loose coalition of separate, self-sufficient movements, blending Eastern religions with witchcraft, clairvoyance, astrology and other esoteric concepts, together with mysterious teachings acquired through 'spiritual' entities. Yoga is often practiced to alter the state of consciousness, crystals are used (supposedly to help a person feel and use energy patterns) and channeling (where a human 'channel' becomes the spokesperson for an invading spirit to speak through) are some of the practices associated with this deception of Satan.
NAM is another of Satan's deceptions
New Age teaching targets the areas of man's wants — success, personal fulfilment, healing, wisdom, guidance, love and peace. The focus is on individual desires, in contrast to the Bible's advice to, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all these things will be given to you" (Mt 6:33). All aspects of the NAM carry the stamp of Satan's character of error, deception and personal ambitions. As he is a liar and a cheat it is essential that we know and live by the truth, as expressed in Jesus, the 'Word of God', with the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth) guiding us into all truth (Jn 8:31,44, 16:13, 17:17). Literally everything else comes from Satan.
The Spiritual Deception of New Age Belief
New Age is a deception that does not acknowledge a personal God, yet may recognise an impersonal force or energy, or that everything is a part of God (pantheism). There are no absolutes, echoing the modern 'if it feels good, do it' philosophy. Based on spiritual enlightenment and human effort, it believes man can solve his own problems from his own spiritual resources because he himself is god, and at death, people are released to a new life form by reincarnation.
No one can get to heaven without Jesus
It is understood there is a conspiracy to create a new world order, by bringing the human race under a single world religion, one world government and one world economic system, overseen by a world ruler (anti-Christ) who will implement these changes. Because of sin, humans are incapable of being righteous, and turn away from God inventing their own worldly rules to live by. This is contrary to His revealed truth (Gen 3:8; Rom 1:18-23, 3:10-18; Gal 1:6-9, 5:7). "The fool says in his heart, there is no God" so salvation through Christ seems foolish to those not in His Kingdom for Satan has blinded their eyes (Ps 53:1; 1 Cor 1:18-21, 3:19).
The Christian Response to New Age Thinking
The key to truth and eternal life is knowing Jesus and correctly understanding Scripture with the living out of that knowledge by application (Mt 7:24-27, 22:29; Jn 8:32; 2 Cor 4:2; 2 Tim 2:15; Jas 1:22-25). As believers, we have often failed to be good representatives for Christ, being considered to be out-of-touch with society and not relevant in today's world. Is it any wonder people look elsewhere to find relief, hoping to find answers for the meaning of life, without being accountable to [the one true] God.
Christianity offers the only way to God
As Christians, we should have a thorough understanding of the Scriptures, with our lives showing Christianity is relevant, besides sharing that Jesus is the reality of our salvation — not a way to the truth but "The Way and the Truth and the Life" — there being no other option (Jn 14:6; Act 4:12).
Reflection and Application:
- Examine whether any New Age ideas or practices have subtly influenced your thinking, and renounce them in favour of biblical truth.
- Strengthen your understanding of Scripture so you can discern deception and confidently share the gospel with those drawn to New Age beliefs.
- Pray for those caught in New Age spiritualism, asking God to open their eyes to the truth of Jesus Christ as the only Way, Truth and Life.
- Live as a compelling witness for Christ, demonstrating that genuine fulfilment is found not in self-deification but in surrender to the one true God.
See also: deception, error, heresy, modernism, occult, truth.