| And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed | | | | of Attraction book "The Secret" by Rhonda |
| into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) | | | | Byrne was released in November 2006. According |
| I belong to an online Bible study and networking | | | | to Simon & Schuster, public demand was for |
| group. Each of us loves the Lord Jesus Christ. | | | | more than four million print and audio copies in the |
| Although we belong to varying denominations, | | | | first five months. In less than one year, The |
| each of us is committed to study God's word and | | | | Secret has sold over six million copies and Law of |
| gain a deeper understanding of His will. A few | | | | Attraction has become one of the fastest |
| months ago, a group member posted an | | | | growing movements in the Western world. |
| inspirational poem to the message board titled, | | | | This new-age philosophy creates a theological |
| Acts of Faith. | | | | swamp. New-agers actually talk like we talk. Most |
| Acts of Faith is a simple, poem filled with scripture | | | | people who have adopted these teachings don't |
| imagery- "Your crown," "children of the King," "live | | | | even recognize that they do not follow the same |
| by grace." What could be the problem? | | | | God you do. They believe in god. They believe in |
| The author of the poem is Ilyana Vanzant. Ms | | | | god as a spiritual force of the universe- not the |
| Vanzant is a motivational speaker, author of 18 | | | | Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These people will insist |
| books, has been an Oprah Winfrey regular guest, | | | | that it is perfectly acceptable and allowable to |
| and co-host of the network television show, | | | | refer to God as the "universe," or "the force of |
| Starting Over. Ms Vanzant is not a Christian; she | | | | nature." |
| is an ordained Yorba priestess steeped in new-age | | | | Introducing Christ to the person who has fallen |
| mysticism. | | | | into this philosophy is particularly difficult. You will |
| If a committed Christian could be deceived by | | | | not typically be able to shake this believe system |
| New-Age wordplay, how much more easily | | | | through scripture reference or verbal argument. |
| deceived are the unsaved? Don't be surprised | | | | The first critical step is to separate your |
| with your unsaved co-worker's version of | | | | evangelistic speech from their god-talk. While not |
| "god-talk." New Age teachings mimic Christian | | | | diminishing the Trinity, you will have to |
| concepts and language. New-agers will even quote | | | | differentiate your God from their word-clutter. |
| scripture to bolster their case. | | | | New-agers frequently use the terms: god, father, |
| Esther and Jerry Hicks are early proponents of | | | | and spirit. They never refer to Jesus Christ. I |
| the Law of Attraction principles found in the | | | | suggest you emphasize the name of Jesus in all |
| blockbuster book, The Secret. The Law of | | | | your evangelistic conversation. |
| Attraction is a philosophy that corrupts Biblical | | | | Law of Attraction stresses physical-life benefits. |
| principles to obtain the benefits of God without | | | | Health, prosperity, peace, etc. Your evangelism will |
| repentance and submission to God. According to | | | | have to center on relationship with Christ and |
| her website, Esther Hicks receives her insights by | | | | eternal-life benefits. Health, prosperity, peace are |
| talking to a group of spirits who call themselves, | | | | natural side benefits of being a Christian. But if |
| "Abraham." The Hicks website is loaded with | | | | you focus on these benefits, the new-agers will |
| scripturesque quotations complete with King | | | | think that you are only talking about two different |
| James English. | | | | ways to get to the same destination. Your verbal |
| "That which is like unto itself is drawn." | | | | testimony will have to elaborate the intimacy of |
| - "It is done unto you as you believe" | | | | knowing God. Law of Attraction can counterfeit |
| - "Ask, and it is given," This new-age philosophy | | | | rules, laws, and benefits- not relationship. Your |
| promotes the Law of Attraction as the | | | | witness- your observable testament, will have to |
| omnipotent, omnipresent force that controls | | | | evidence your relationship with Christ. These |
| everything in the universe. It is god-talk without | | | | new-agers will come to Christ when you can |
| God. In fact, it may even take a while to | | | | show them the God they can't know through the |
| recognize that the new-ager is not a fellow | | | | Law of Attraction. |
| Christian. After all, not only do they use "almost" | | | | In Isaiah 1:18 NKJV, the Lord says, "Come now, |
| scripture phrases, many Law of Attraction | | | | and let us reason together..." We commune with |
| websites actually quote the Bible. They | | | | our God. We abide in Him. We talk to Him and He |
| prominently feature Proverbs 23:7 NKJV. "As a | | | | talks back to us. By our words and our conduct, |
| man thinks in his heart, so he is." Why worry | | | | millions who seek God's stuff through the Law of |
| about a few new-age people? | | | | Attraction, can learn instead... |
| A Google search of the phrase "Law of | | | | "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his |
| Attraction" produces over two million websites | | | | righteousness; and all these things shall be added |
| dedicated to propagating the philosophy. The Law | | | | to you. |