With the turn of a calendar page and the stroke of midnight, we enter a new year. This is the year 2015; with it comes hope and joy and may also bring sadness, despair, and pain. As Christians, the one constant we have in our lives is the presence of Jesus. No matter what the next year brings and regardless of what happens in our life, Jesus is central. He is the ‘Life’ children of God live in. There is another ‘life’ many people are living, it is the deceptive teachings of the new age movement.
When we take a realistic look at the new age movement it becomes clear that its teachings are reconstituted and regurgitated doctrines of demons from the past. The only difference now is they are repackaged in shiny boxes and bows of self-realization, intellect, and inclusion. As we begin the new year, let’s look at the same old new age movement. Ecclesiastes 1:9
There is nothing like an old truth, from the word of truth. Old truth like the verse above has been spoken by many over countless generations. Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun. People in the new age movement or (Nam) seem to live by a different reality. The new age movement is multifaceted in beliefs and practices, but at the root of each belief is a lie that is diametrically opposed to the word of God. The new age movement has elements of eastern mysticism, occult practices, and the divinity of everything & everyone. I know there are segments of the (NAM) such as Eastern teachings and psychic practices that could very well constitute their own group. For this article, we will include all of these under the umbrella of the (NAM). These ‘spiritually enlightened people’ in the movement have fallen prey to one of the oldest deceptions in the world. They are giving glory to objects, nature, and even themselves, the glory that only God deserves. These ‘enlightened people’ are no different than their ancestors at the tower of Babel trying to reach heaven without God over 2,500 years ago, that’s not progressive. Genesis 11:4
There have been excellent articles, books, and sermons written about the details of the (NAM). I can guarantee our readers that Concerning The Times will dedicate several articles to tackling the myths and lies of various new age deceptions in the coming year. My purpose today isn’t to dive into the particulars of the (NAM). We are going to look at the blatant lie that is the new age movement in light of the God of the universe.
At its root, the (NAM) promotes the lie that (god) is everything and everyone. As I write this I cannot help but think that the (NAM) is leading a direct frontal assault on truth. If god is you, god is me, and god is anything I see in nature, who do I have to answer to for my life and the decisions I make? In the distorted world of the (NAM), the answer is no one. This lie is perpetuated further because, in the world of the (NAM), we are simply moving toward an understanding of all people, beliefs, and seemingly good outcomes. The followers of the (NAM) believe they are part of an evolving universe. They believe as we progress through this life, we produce good or negative karma by our actions, and that karma sets us up for our higher or lower position in future lives.
The lie of reincarnation is another hallmark of the (NAM) and I believe it’s the most destructive. Salvation is not necessary when there is no one to be accountable to. In the mind of the (NAM) believer, he or she understands they will simply progress from one life and level of consciousness to the next and their position will be based on the karma created in the previous life. I want to say right here that this is a sad, deceptive, and murderous lie straight from the pit of hell. No, there is one life to live here on this earth and then we go into eternity. John 14:5
There are so many sad lies that encompass the new age movement. Lies that teach we are (god), there is no eternal destination, only life progression, and there is no need for atonement of sins.
When we reduce the new age movement down to the ridiculous, we find the core of its futility. In the new age movement, as with all cults and deceptive teachings, Jesus is demoted. At its core, new age is a grand deception by the master deceiver and father of lies, Satan.
In this case, He is reduced to a guru or noted enlightened teacher. Many refer to Jesus and God as a “he” or “she” and believe he is a form of enlightenment. Isn’t that the way it is with all teachings that have the outward appearance of goodness? Many belief systems have the veneer of positive, seemingly wholesome, compassionate, and even appear godly to some degree. When you go below the surface you will always find the same thing: Man is promoted and Jesus is demoted.
I understand the outright lies and blasphemy of the (NAM). As believers, we know that there is only one way to heaven and to God the Father. We know that repentance, atonement, and God’s mercy are of utmost importance in this life and will determine where we spend eternity. This life and this day are where eternal decisions are made. This point is where I want to make a distinction. We know that some people in the (NAM) have blatantly rejected Jesus. Maybe they have heard the gospel over and over again as a young child, teen, or adult. Perhaps they went off to college or out into the world and left the simplicity of the gospel message for something that seems modern and contemporary.
As Christians, we need to ask the Lord for discernment to know how much time and effort to spend with people caught up in the (NAM). We may be facing a person who has rejected the gospel over and over to the point when talking to them about salvation may be on par with casting pearls because they simply don’t want to hear about it. We must be people who pray and know the word, that’s where God’s wisdom and discernment come from. On the other hand, I know there may be many times we will be with people who are truly looking for answers and a way to eternal life. Enter the Christian who has the Holy Spirit of God living inside of them. We have the words of life to speak to anyone who seeks true peace.
I want to make something clear: There is a wealth of teaching, books, and websites that expose the new age movement for what it is: a lie with eternal consequences. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and remembered people getting worked into a frenzy because the actress Shirley MacLaine proclaimed, “I AM.” Back then, a lot of people in churches boycotted companies that sponsored television shows who promoted occult or worldly beliefs. Believers should be concerned with the moral and spiritual decay of our society. In fact, many articles I write to deal with the godless downward spiral of this world on a macro level. Here’s the thing: Being concerned about the lies of this world system, the media, entertainers, and prominent people is understandable. But if that is your version of spiritual warfare, you are simply a moral activist. The fight is the Lord’s, our task is to present the gospel to people caught up in a lie.
I don’t like the lies pop culture, the media, or our society esteems. But picketing and arguing, we are right and you are wrong are carnal weapons. Carnal beliefs, humanism, and Eastern mysticism have always been with us. It seems like the popularity of the new age movement is growing rapidly by the day. Look around you, everyone is spiritual. People in this world will consult psychics, and mediums, and put their faith in a horoscope. Others will meditate to find oneness with the universe and locate their authentic self. Now, more and more people are seeking eternal peace through the false hope of Hinduism, Buddhism, and mysticism. The peace many seek will be short-lived and elusive because there can be no true peace without the Prince of Peace.
What we don’t need is another man-made campaign or program to fire us up to simply talk about the error of new age or any other unbiblical teaching. We need individual Christians who engage the world with the truth of the gospel. A believer who spends time in prayer and is armed with God’s word is what a person with no hope needs. There are so many people who believe they will simply go from this life to the next with no eternal consequences. We need to take action and intersect the lives of people with the boldness of the gospel message and the love of Jesus, that is what people need.
Many of you will be surprised at the number of people who are caught up in the new age movement. It may be a friend at work whose spouse died and who is looking for hope he will see his loved one again. It might be the young lady on the college campus whose Christian upbringing is being bombarded by the beliefs around her. Maybe it’s a mom with several small children who are looking for serenity through yoga and meditation. The point is that there are so many opportunities to speak life into a situation where people are spiritually dead. Acts 1:8
One final thought: The new age movement is very deceptive, and alluring, and has even blinded the eyes of many brilliant minds. That is what spiritual deception does, it presents itself in an attractive package, just as satan comes across as an angel of light. I want to make this point: Don’t go into this battlefield lightly. Many people you are dealing with are well-read, intelligent, and know just enough about Christianity to have it distorted. You must be on the solid ground of the word and prayer before engaging this enemy. Satan wants nothing more than to blind as many people as possible to the truth and that includes you.
We are not here to reason with, find common beliefs, or agree on which spiritual path is most plausible with people who are mired in new-age lies, we are to be witnesses of Jesus and the salvation, love, and forgiveness only he can give.
Our days will continue to grow darker and many people won’t want to hear about this “antiquated Christian faith” or the God we serve. Many will flock to the counterfeit gospel of the new age movement. One day and I believe it will be soon, the world will welcome a man who claims to be God with open arms, but he won’t be Jesus. That spirit of the antichrist is already at work today through the same old same new-age movement.
If you practice new-age spirituality and need help, please call out to Jesus and he will change your life now and for all eternity. If you have questions about following Jesus, please write us. Jesus loves you and he saves!
All for Him,
Howard
