SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL: THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT, THE DANGERS OF MEDIATION AND YOGI

The Dangers of Mediation and Yoga in the New Age Movement. The new age movement is a collection of many philosophical, spiritual and religious beliefs and practices with hidden mystic occult pagan teachings, which is essentially repackaged satanism. Within this movement you find yoga, mediation, reiki (spiritual healing), crystals, spiritualism and the catchall, theosophy. They all share a core belief, or teaching, which is mankind has an innate goodness, which is hindered or dormant, and through their prescribed practices of clearing your thoughts, you can reach that goodness; with the intention of connecting with the universe. Through their prescribed barrier removal techniques, we can connect our inner goodness with the universal life force energy, because they are two of one; they are to be the same thing. Their techniques bring us into 'oneness' with nature, resulting in harmony, peace, relaxation, positivism, enlightenment, clarity, concentration and joy. They teach the life force energy is actually divine energy, it is God; and because we are the same, we are also divine. Their practices help you connect with your Highest Self, which is why you're able to achieve blessings, healings, wisdom, salvation and even divinity. The simplest way to explain the teaching is to say, 'We are God, as the universe is God, but we just don't know it yet.'​

New Age is Pantheism. Pantheism teaching that 'God is everything, and everything is God." God is the substance and energy found in nature; and we are made of that energy and substance, so we are God too. These new age beliefs are pantheism, to the core. The underlying belief in New Age teachings is that the combined substances, forces, and laws manifested within the universe are a divine energy; often referred to as, Prana, or "life force energy."  Since the substance and energy of the universe are God, then it also is 'Wisdom' or 'Consciousness.' Since we are made of this divine energy and substance, then we are divine by our very nature. But they suggest, that we are hindered from knowing and fully actualizing this divinity, because of the ego. The ego uses thoughts and emotions to hinder us with the illusion of 'self:' being 'distinct and separate from God.' These thoughts and emotions of dualism (us distinct from God) give rise to fear, because we are mistakenly thinking we are separate, so this gives us thoughts, feelings, emotions which are negative and restrictive. These negative senses of self, need to be released, as there is only 'nonself,' which is 'oneness' with nature, for 'God is all; and all is God.' As soon as the new ager, clears their mind from all 'self' thoughts, then they become their Highest Self, God. They are 'aligning' or 'connecting' to the universe. They suggest that a true 'transformation' takes place, with even a 'renewing of the mind.' This is a 'shift in consciousness,' as now they only think of themselves as a God, since all the negative thoughts of self are released; this is 'enlightenment.' We are 'one with nature' and we have completeness, harmony, unity, peace, wisdom, complete awareness as we have complete consciousness. This is salvation, because there was never a need for redemption.  This is known as 'Christ Consciousness' for some new agers. 

What is Christ Consciousness? The new ager who wants to incorporate beliefs of Jesus, has created their own version of Him, which fits into their belief structure. Their version of Jesus is he is a divine man with ego hindrances, just like us, but he came to show us how to overcome them, so we can do the same, in achieve 'oneness' and 'consciousness' with nature, which is God. He came to show us how to be 'Christ,' and obtain, 'Christ Consciousness.' 

Denial of the God of the Bible. They deny the God of the bible completely. Denying that He exists as a separate God; existing before He created everything out of nothing. They deny that Jesus existed as the incarnate Son of God who died on the cross for the redemption of man. They deny that the universe and man is separate from God; and they deny a creator and a creation. They deny the Spirit of God who is the healer. Since they are Gods, and only need to begin to fully embrace it, by releasing the limiting thoughts of separation, they deny their fallen sinful state, and they deny they need a redeemer to save them. As soon as they figure it all out, by releasing all their thoughts, they think they will be 'enlighten.'

Yoga is the Gateway. Yoga is being sold as a stretching exercise to helps with relaxation, which makes it the most harmful because it's the gateway to darker occult practices, being sold as 'self development.' Yoga leads the unsuspecting spiritually weak people, who are seeking their purpose, on the path to find and develop themselves, which is the path that leads to destruction for it leads them away from knowing man needs redeemed from their sinful state. They gleefully and blindly enter through the gates, because they're the 'good guys;' they're finding their 'own' spirituality, without infringing on others with 'oppressive' normative religious beliefs. They become the best 'Me,' while others become the best 'Them,' and we all get along and add positive energy back into the universe. It's a magical mystical fairy tale, leading them away from the true Healer and Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ.

​Yes, Yoga is Really Harmful. While doing exercises, the yoga instructors is encouraging you to connect your mind and body, by 'looking inwardly' and 'clearing your mind' by 'releasing thoughts,' while 'finding your center,' 'the place where your life energy emanates' to 'balance you' and bringing you into greater 'harmony' with others and the universe. It claims, supported by science, to be able to release anxiety, stress and depression; while improving (healing) chronic pain, migraines and heart health. Healthline. This is new age indoctrination. It is being offered to see, who wants to go deeper. The danger is how pervasive this is in America, and the numbers are still on the rise. A study conducted in 2016 found that 36.7 million people practice yoga, with 37% having children under the age of 18. They also found that 30% of people who don't practice yoga, believe it is good; while 73% who practice thinking it's good. The potential spiritual impact that awaits the next generation is alarming, as the shepherds are asleep, instead of tending to the sheep. Yoga Alliance. ​

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy 4:1).
​
Meditation Transforms the Mind. This is next step to lead you into the occult practices (any belief that leads you away from belief in biblical Christianity) of new age. According to Buddhistcentre.com, Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. They continue, meditation is the practice of focusing the mind to develop concentration, clarity and emotional positivity; resulting in a more positive way of being, as you achieve a new peaceful state of mind, which can lead to a new understanding of life. They are teaching that concentration and focused attention can make you a new person, a new creation, with peace, knowledge and wisdom. They are basically saying the release of thoughts, and releasing fears, to open you up to the Higher Self, with peace and wisdom. Pantheism: New Age Teachings. We see in Psychology Today, they explain how mediation changes the brain. To paraphrase, they essentially found the minds natural connections are prone to error with a fixation on fear and anxiety, but with regular mediation, you can rewire the mind properly enabling you to experience life in a more balanced and rational way. It reduces the 'natural emphasis' on fear so you now have 'peace of mind.' Witchcraft and sorcery are any attempts to influence the supernatural or natural forces of the world with my will. The offense against God was so great the punishment was death in the Old Testament (Exodus 22:18).  ​

(In this article, we are omitting the actually emotional, physical and psychological impacts these practices have on people, and they serious and detrimental. We are only discussing the Spiritual side, solely focusing on Salvation, which doesn't include the many negative and serious impacts spiritually these practices have on people, including demon possession and loss of mental stability requiring mental hospitalization and even suicide). ​

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic. (James 3:15).
​

Take Every Thought Captive and to the Obedience Of Christ. In the Psalms we read, I will mediate with my hearts, and my spirit ponders (Psalm 77:6). And we also read Paul who tells us, The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10b); an, To take every thought captive and to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). God is teaching us to evaluate everything, and seek a deeper knowledge of God, so we can discern good from evil, for this is the mark of a mature christian as we read, But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14). So mindfulness, meaning a mind full of thoughts, which are being compared to God's Holy Scripture is what makes a Christian, a 'Christian,' because they are becoming sanctified. This is the process of expanding your mind, as you grow in knowledge and wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. ​

The Process of Sanctification. The process of washing away the old (thoughts), and bring in the new (thoughts) is the process of sanctification; because we are becoming purified. We take thoughts and beliefs, everything we hear and 'know,' and compare it against the scriptures for truthfulness. It's it's true, then you give it a yes and amen, for all His promises are true (2 Corinthians 1:20); and if it is not true, then you discard it as a lie. Where do lies come from; who is the father of lies? Satan (John 8:44). And who did he trick? The whole world (Revelation 12:9). Remember, we were once children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2-3), being slaves to sin (Romans 6:20), therefore slaves to satan (Exodus 12:40; Galatians 4:7), so our hearts were desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), devising evil thoughts all day long. Now we are renewed in spirit of mind (2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 4:22-24: Psalm 51:10-12; Romans 12:2), and children of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5), so we have to 'scrub' all of our thoughts to cleanses our hearts and minds from the impurities, of Satan's lies. It's no small thing to hold a lie, for it is a foothold of the devil to build upon. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven (Colossians 1:19-20).

Distinguish Between God's Wisdom and Worldly Wisdom. We are to understand God's wisdom from worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). He is teaching us to think and evaluate beliefs, not to clear our minds of all thoughts, but to fill them with the scriptures to wash away any false teachings (2 Corinthians 5:17), and this will transform and renew our minds (Romans 12:2), for the old will be gone and only new living word of God will fill  us. Measuring some of the teachings against a few verses in the bible, they are found to be false, and therefore need discarded, and the practices are to be considered dangerous​ (1 Corinthians 3:19; (1 John 3:9); James 3:15).

Meditate: G3191 Meletao

1. God is Everything, and Everything is God. From the first sentence of the bible, we see this isn't true, For in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) which shows that God existed distinctly before creation and He is separate from creation, as the Creator. Secondly, For the Lord is a great God And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand (Psalm 95:3-7), we see God is above and separate from the world. Thirdly, we see, Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:25). And Finally, For I the LORD do not change (Malachi 3:6); the universe is always expanding and growing but God doesn't change, so this is a lie. This new age claim is false, and needs rejected in every way.
2. There in no God Almighty. When Moses asked, who should I say sent me, God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you (Exodus 3:14). Also, in Jeremiah, we see, But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath (Jeremiah 10:10). And in may other ways, God has shown Himself to be an individual and distinct living God: the "Holy Living God,' who is God Almighty, the One True God and besides Him there is no other (Isaiah 45:51). So these teachings are lies.
3. They Can Remove Fear and Anxiety. To live a life, without God, is to remain in a state of fear, for we are slaves to sin (Romans 6:20) and the devil holds us captive in the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15) as we were alien to God (Colossians 1:22). Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and we know God is perfect love, so only God can cast out fear, because the blood of Jesus has defeated death and brought redemption for mankind, freeing him from slavery to sin, death and fear (Hebrews 9:11-15; 10:3-14; 13:11-12; Romans 5:9). God says, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by man; your are Mine in (Isaiah 43:1). He also said, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14). Also, For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven (Colossians 1:19-20). All through the bible, God says He is the only source of peace, truth, light, rest and healing for man.
4. The Body and Mind Needs Purified of Contaminates. Paul teaches For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV). So the body DOES need to be purified, but what purifies it?
5. Purification by the 'Universal Life Force Energy.' The bible teaches, time and time again, that we are purified by the blood of the lamb (Hebrews 9:11-15; 10:3-14; 13:11-12; Romans 5:9); that God send His Son into the world to give those who believe eternal life (John 6:29-51). So this is a complete lie.
6. Mediation Can Transform Your Mind.  Jesus is the redeemer, and we are the redeemed (Ephesians 1:7); Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17); and we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) through Jesus Christ alone. This claim is false and this practice should be avoided. 
7. We can Become like God. The bible teaches, 'To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?' says the Holy One. 'Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing,' (Isaiah 40:25-26). Secondly, Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men (Psalm 9:20). Thirdly, But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). Finally, The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit (Isaiah 31:3). This claim is false, and therefore is to be rejected.
8. They Offer A Way of Enlightenment. And we also know, For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6). The bible teaches us that God makes the necessary changes, by transforming us from our own depraved states to being in newness with Him, having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). ​​
9. ​Man's Mind is Wired Improperly, with notion of Self, and Needs Altered. The bible teaches that when God created man, He said, It is good (Genesis 1:31) so there is no error in God's design.
10. Their Practices Offer Peace and Joy. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Importantly, we see, Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6). And Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165). Finally, You keep him in perfect peace who minds is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3). So peace is from God, through Jesus Christ, and this peace is what guards and protects our hearts and minds. 

The path of the righteous is to decline from evil, and he keepeth his soul that keepeth his way (Proverbs 16:17).

Satan's Schemes Haven't Changed. Satan deceived Eve by convincing her that God mislead them, with underlying sinister intentions to deny them their fullest potential. Satan, was offering his words as a new trustworthy alternative, to God's words; suggesting he offered greater wisdom because it was to be more beneficial for man. Man could become his best self, becoming a God, lacking nothing within himself, if he followed Satan instead of God. The New Age Movement is the same old repackaged lie; we can become like a God. Satan tries to exult himself higher than God by trying to lift his words higher than God's words. These are the two wisdoms available today; God's wisdom and Satan's wisdom; which are you going to chose?

There is No Middle Ground, so Don't Try That, It's Another Lie. There is only truth or a lie, life or death, and light or darkness. Romans chapter one teaches us that God put a knowledge of Himself and His divine attributes in man, but man didn't want to give honor and glory to God, the Creator, for these attributes; instead they wanted to give glory and honor to creation and the things within the creation instead. (Romans 1:1-32). Namely His eternal power and divine nature where clearly known, so people are without excuse (Romans 1:20). All these various practices are doing that, they are taking the divine characteristics and eternal power of God and attributing them to nature, the universe, and energy. The bible teaches that Satan lead people away from the worship of God. All these practices are satanic in nature. There is nothing else, there is no middle ground. 

Only Two Fathers. Every teaching either comes from God or Satan, there is no other source. There are only two fathers, two religions, and two people. Jesus said, You're either for me, or against me (1 John 3:8-10; John 8:44; Matthew 12:30). There are only sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46); wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-43); and children of light and children of darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5; Ephesians 5:8). Either God is our Father or Satan is our father, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). You only belong to one or the other, there is no middle ground.  Today, which do you chose?

Using Discernment in New Age Teachings. In our mediation, deep thought and analysis of beliefs against the scriptures, we find the new teaching to be in error. We find that yoga, meditation, crystals, reiki, spiritual healing, just to name a few, are offering you a lie from satan; for they try to offer God's eternal power and divine attributes of health, life, healing, peace, joy, comfort, love and wisdom - outside the presence of God Almighty, even though they are His divine attributes. They are saying, man is not in enmity with God, and therefore doesn't need redeemed; but rather man is limited by erroneous thoughts of self which need removed. 

If you want to expand you mind, cleanse your mind, and grow as a Christian, then you MUST REJECT these beliefs and depart from their practices. 

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Dear heavenly Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear the message of truth, which is clearly conveyed in Your holy word, for You have spoken on such matters, and it is for man to test the spirits, and to test man's teaches, to see who and what is of You; and it is for man to reject false teachings and be separated from non-believers; give us Your wisdom and knowledge, so we may know this truth; You alone are the light of the world; You alone are the truth, and You alone are the light of man; so please give us Your wisdom. Amen