New age seduction

Satan is more subtle and crafty than any living creature. Should we not expect the highest, purest, most correct sounding doctrine? If this is true, how can we detect his new age seduction? One sure test is to look for what is missing!

God created man for fellowship. However, God had to insert a parenthesis in the plan He had for man. In that parenthesis is the fall and thus the loss of fellowship with God. Also in that period of human history is the redemption of man by and through Jesus Christ.

God’s plan for fellowship with man started in eternity past and is going forward. God will have His end.

Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them ...and be their God.i

Between Genesis and Revelation the Bible contains the history of the forces of evil attempting to usurp God’s rightful place. This conflict of the ages is over the presence of God in His creation.


Nirvana ahead ...

Nirvana is defined as a place or state characterized by freedom from or oblivion to pain, worry, and the external world. Some of the synonyms are - awakening, heaven, joy, peace, paradise.ii

There are many new age gurus teaching the way to this enlightened place. The way to this place is varied and full of confused thinking. One thing is certain, it is a way one is able to find through self. It esteems the soul, and it is totally outside of and opposite to the teaching of the Bible. One host of a hugely popular television show regularly welcomes and promotes such guests, while personally claiming to be a Christian.

I recently read the writings of someone claiming to be a prophet that can serve as an example of the enemy’s attempt to usurp God’s place.

The author challenged the traditional belief that people must align their will to a divine purpose or they will slip off and do their own thing, i.e. selfishness. He contends that this mindset causes psychic pressure and the vigilance required destroys rest and a sense of genuine self-esteem.

He asks if we have a will, or are we not in fact the ‘Divine Will’ itself. His article renounces the idea that there has ever been a separation or rebellion. As such, there is no need to return to divine union. His conclusion is that all power and resources stored in ‘Divine Will’ are ours as we realize there has never been a separation.

In other words, there has been no fall of man, no sin, and no need for redemption. We have access to God, indeed we are one with God, because we are a part of Him. Does this not sound familiar?

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.iii

Be not deceived ...

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made.iv

Satan has not grown weaker, but stronger. From the serpent in Genesis he grows into the great dragon in the book of Revelation.v

The many and varied teachings of the new age are interwoven with truth. Many believe they are following true Christian teaching, while all the while they are being led down a hellish path. If you are not knowledgeable of what the Word of God teaches, you can easily fall prey to these demonic lies.

Consider the things offered in Nirvana and the synonyms used: awakening, heaven, joy, peace, paradise. I started reading the articles I mentioned above, believing they were Christian. They came with a recommendation and had an interesting presentation. I followed the series in an attempt to answer a question I had. The question was - is this Christian or new age?

It became a chore to find the answer. I stopped following the series when I concluded that if I had to work that hard to see if it was Christian it was indeed NOT . The later article I cited above clearly confirmed that conclusion.

When it comes to the deceptions of the new age, I strongly recommend a very different approach. Instead of questioning what is correct or incorrect, look for what is missing!

If you discover a message offering all that God desires for man, without mention of sin, the cross, or the person of Jesus Christ beware! I mean the person of Jesus Christ, God come in the flesh. I see many other Biblical names referenced, even names of God, but consider this strong admonishment . . .

Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]; And every spirit which does not acknowledge and confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [but would annul, destroy, sever, disunite Him] is not of God ... This [nonconfession] is the [spirit] of antichrist ... vi

The conflict of the ages is over the presence of God in His creation. Be vigilant in discerning and look for ...

What is missing!

Rev. 21:3
ii Dictionary.com
iii Gen 3:4-5
iv Gen 3:1 Amp
v Rev 12:9
iv 1 John 4:1-3 Amp