Law of Attraction/The Secret
- Thread starter tmichelle
- Start date
janiebaby
Well-Known Member
That's what I thought until I signed up for one of the telephone workshops and they said something like "so mote it be" which is something pagans say
. After that, I ditched it.
leeshbeesh
New Member
We happened to watch this in one of my counseling classes and I was one of the few oddballs who was like "ummm no!! " I am very passionate about this one and I cannot even gather my thoughts to comment properly...but ugh this is the Devil at his best...absolute tom foolery 
" I am very passionate about this one and I cannot even gather my thoughts to comment properly...but ugh this is the Devil at his best...absolute tom foolery 
He_Leads_I_follow
New Member
LOA or Law of Attraction is a dangerous concept and even delusional.
One of the contibuters to the book A New Earth was asked on Larry King live, if LOA is real what about the 9 year old girl that was raped and murdered? Did she ask for it? He said we are what we attract. In other words , yes!
Are you kidding me?! What shameful wickedness!
Please, you cannot sit "wishin' and a hopin' " for something and it just come to you without you working for it. If God says you will be wealthy, you will have to be diligent in work for it to happen.
It sounds like that "name it and claim it" nonsense. Yet another preversion of Yahweh's truth.
One of the contibuters to the book A New Earth was asked on Larry King live, if LOA is real what about the 9 year old girl that was raped and murdered? Did she ask for it? He said we are what we attract. In other words , yes!
Are you kidding me?! What shameful wickedness!
Please, you cannot sit "wishin' and a hopin' " for something and it just come to you without you working for it. If God says you will be wealthy, you will have to be diligent in work for it to happen.
It sounds like that "name it and claim it" nonsense. Yet another preversion of Yahweh's truth.
MizzBrown
Well-Known Member
No he didn't! This is tomfoolery. What is wrong with Oprah for entertaining this mess?
He_Leads_I_follow
New Member
What's wrong with Oprah?!
Oprah is falling for the trick like everyone else. She's as off as off can get. I knew it was time to turn her off once she started inviting that guy that "speaks to the dead". Please! She's in hollywood sis, so when in Rome...
It's the Oprahfication of Christianity. Just see and do it. It can be yours. Feel empowered blah blah. Her lame doctrine is as "me centered" and "feel good about you" as Joel Osteen.
Please!
MrsQueeny
Well-Known Member
Hmm I have friends who follow this and I just scratch my head. Why would I ask the universe for something when God who created the universe could give it to me? That's like going to Ford to get a brand new Honda when I could go straight to the Honda dealership. I laugh because "some" of the things people attribute to LOA isn't that at all. For instance, I got a raise. Okay well you worked hard, did what you were supposed too, applied and got it. Now if you were a lazy, unreliable worker, that would make it a shock. All that I want and need, I get from God and God alone. I also have issues with the author of The Secret and her/his views on things that happen to people especially little kids. I have more to say but I will leave it at that. I am living proof of what God can do if you just trust in Him and Him alone. Remember, the devil takes care of his own as well so don't fall for his tricks. Take care ladies. Q
tmichelle
New Member
I've enjoyed reading the dialogue. Thanks so much for your thoughts. One thing that never sat right with me while reading a portion of The Secret was what to do about all of God's servants. When I think back on many prophets of the Old Testament like Jonah, Elijah, Jeremiah and on the people of faith listed in Hebrews, I know God was pleased with them because He says so in His Word. These people didn't fit the outcome of the Law of Attraction. They did not attract bad things to themselves (in fact in Hebrews it says the world was not worthy of them), they did not find easy parking spaces (I mean some of them were sawn in two!). No matter how positive they thought, God had plans for them and they did not include getting everything on their list because they believed.
But from my understanding of the LOA and The Secret, these people "attracted" bad things to them and they should have been more into their own will than God's then maybe they would have had an easier life because God would have been forced to abandon His plan for them to give them what they wanted instead.
These verses were also quoted somewhere on this thread and I think they are great so I'll quote them again. Unfortunately they are often taken out of context. Here they are in a little bit more of their context:
7"(F)Ask, and (G)it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9"Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
10"Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
11"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, (H)how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! 12"In everything, (I)therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for (J)this is the Law and the Prophets.
I bolded the end of verse 11. The Father gives us good gifts, but I am not convinced we all know what good gifts actually are. We may think they are a parking space, a raise, a new home, but unless they come from God they are not good. That parking space can put you in the way of a burglary or someone who has a ton of kids with them and who needs it more has to park far away, or perhaps that old person who parked across from you is going to bump your car. That raise can be spent on things you desire and keep your mind from focusing on God, or it can ruin the dynamics of your household (this happened when I was a child but I won't go into it now). That new home can be something other than what God wants for your life.
Unless you say, "your will be done" how does one know if it is a good gift?
But from my understanding of the LOA and The Secret, these people "attracted" bad things to them and they should have been more into their own will than God's then maybe they would have had an easier life because God would have been forced to abandon His plan for them to give them what they wanted instead.
These verses were also quoted somewhere on this thread and I think they are great so I'll quote them again. Unfortunately they are often taken out of context. Here they are in a little bit more of their context:
7"(F)Ask, and (G)it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9"Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
10"Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
11"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, (H)how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! 12"In everything, (I)therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for (J)this is the Law and the Prophets.
I bolded the end of verse 11. The Father gives us good gifts, but I am not convinced we all know what good gifts actually are. We may think they are a parking space, a raise, a new home, but unless they come from God they are not good. That parking space can put you in the way of a burglary or someone who has a ton of kids with them and who needs it more has to park far away, or perhaps that old person who parked across from you is going to bump your car. That raise can be spent on things you desire and keep your mind from focusing on God, or it can ruin the dynamics of your household (this happened when I was a child but I won't go into it now). That new home can be something other than what God wants for your life.
Unless you say, "your will be done" how does one know if it is a good gift?
Ramya
New Member
I love your breakdown on this!
I know even in my own life that I want things that are not in God's will for me. They seem to be good things but they are not good for me. I will gladly choose God's will over mine b/c He knows not only what I want but also what I need.Operative term in your bolded statement: YOUR FATHER who is in Heaven....
Are people who are asking the Lord for these good things actually BELONG TO THE LORD? Who is the daddy? The Lord becomes "OUr Father, who art in Heaven" when we WILLINGLY give our life over to Him. Otherwise, the father one may be asking things from is the devil....
John 8:43-45 (Amplified)
43Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]
44You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.
45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust ]Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me].
He_Leads_I_follow
New Member
tmichelle
New Member
I love your breakdown on this!
I have struggled with wanting my own will for soooo long. It has not been easy and I still struggle. I am supposed to have died to myself and be living for Christ but I seem to constantly want to resurrect myself.
erplexedWhich brings to mind a verse further down in Matt. 7
21"(R)Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22"(S)Many will say to Me on (T)that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; (U)DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
It seems to me that Christ is saying that we have to do the will of Christ's Father which will exclude both our own will and any other father, otherwise it is lawlessness.
Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
Do you know that our will is actually stronger than God's?
Let me explain.
God's will for us is that we live a holy life that is pleasing to Him. His will for us also is that we serve Him with all of our being (spirit, soul and body).
However, we don't. We do what we want to do, even when we know to do what is right, we still do what is not, and because of that, our "will" becomes stronger than God's.
This can help to explain it as well. Here, the Apostle Paul describes "our will" and what it does:
Romans 4: 14-25 (Message-I found this to be a good translation to explain it)
14-16 I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23 It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Therefore, our will and God's will is not the same.
Now, the highlighted blue shows that LOA can't do anything for you. It's a concept that man created to try to help himself out of these same situations as quoted from the Apostle Paul, but it doesn't. Only Jesus Christ Himself can deliver us from ourselves...whether we want to believe it or not...that's just the way it is.
LOA has no place in the life of a true believer. We don't need it...it can't do anything for us but bring about confusion, which it was designed to do anyway. A true believer in Jesus Christ knows the Shepherd's voice, and the voice of a stranger they will not follow.
I pray that we ALL learn to hear the Holy Spirit's voice and know that He will teach us ALL things that comes from the Father, that we may not be blown by every wind of doctrine and that we shall be planted and our roots will be strong, like the palm tree, so that when the winds come and blow, we will not be moved...we will remain strong and vigilant, prayerful and follow the One in whom we have to do!
In love, always.
N&W
ETA: And to make clear, when I say "God", I'm speaking of the God of the Bible!!!
Last edited:
cocoberry10
Well-Known Member
I agree with your post, especially the red. What makes me laugh the most about these "New Age" scholars, is that people are making them millionaires off of principles God gave us FREE OF CHARGE. However, some of them are "twisting" the word, but for the most part a lot of the "principles" are nothing more than what God already promised us (FOR FREE
)
chocolatechiq
New Member
Growing up in a strict religious household (although I am not following it now),
the best way for me to understand much of the LOA / Secret thing and many other POV's as I've gotten older is to consider God as the Universe....if I look at God as infinitely expanding everywhere, then He would be the universe.
BTW, for me personally, it is not necessary to follow everything in a doctrine or philosophy, for example The Secret, to pull out the important "true" parts.
To me the most important thing is realizing what you are focusing on and if you are not happy change your focus. I am sure everyone knows negative people, whether they are Christian or not, who are always focusing on the negative and how bad things are...being around them makes you feel bad. So if a person focuses on what is good in their life, i.e. what God/The Universe has given them, it will only bring more goodness.
That's my interpretation.
mrsmeredith
Well-Known Member
P R E A CH ...... that says it all.
I cannot tell you what that one phrase shook in me. God is my awesome GOD, my Savior Jesus christ and my helper the holy ghost.
Country gal
Well-Known Member
I love your breakdown on this!
How do we know it is God's will? Will you say well if you pray and mediate, you get the blessing than it is from God. It is similar principle to law of attraction.
Country gal
Well-Known Member
Me too. At night I spend time thanking God for the goodness in my life. I don't thank the universe.
First, we know the Lord's will by reading His Word, by finding out, through the BIBLE, what He likes and dislikes, what He permits and forbids, what things are good for us and what things are not. As Nice & Wavy said, our FREE will is exactly that, and the Lord is not going to override our free will, just like the Lord did not override Adam and Eve in the Garden when He had already told them not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He told them not to do it, but they did. And the consequences were as such.
Maybe if Adam and Eve had stopped and prayed before they ate the fruit, they would have been REMINDED of what the Lord said about that tree and then they would have remained in the Lord's (divine) will for their lives. It is in our best interest to align ourselves to the Lord's will, which He has outlined in the Word of God (the Bible).
Praying and meditating to the Lord Jesus Christ is NOTHING similar to LOA. Why? Because The Lord Jesus Christ is not Santa Claus and He should not be treated as such. The Lord wants RELATIONSHIP with each and every one of us. It's not about "gimmie gimmie gimmie". I can pray to the Lord for some things that are not in His will...I can also not pray about those things and I can make them happen myself. Will I be in the will of the Lord? NOPE. But I can do that because I have free will. However, in my free will, I FREELY CHOOSE to submit myself under the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ to say "not my will, but THY will be done" in my life. I CHOOSE to say "Lord, I want this or that" and if the Lord says "no, daughter" or "not at this time", I have to trust the Lord that that's what best for me. And, I can hold the Lord ACCOUNTABLE for what He said because the Lord is the keeper of His word. He is faithful.
Better yet, it is better to say "Lord, what do You think about this?" or "I was thinking about getting that" or "should I move to this place". This approach shows my trust, faith, and submission to the Lord in that I know He thinks good thoughts toward me, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).
The "universe" as a source of anything is ambiguous. Who is the universe accountable to?
For this cause alone, it is extremely dangerous and Christians --- serious Christians know better.
No man can serve two masters. It's one or the other. God has made it plain, that He will have no other God before Him.
The LOA isn't new. It's witchcraft; man exerting his will over God's will; or basically 'overriding God' to man's preferences/desires.
Don't justify it with Joel Osteen nor anyone else. If you've used it you were in sin and nothing short of it. You wanted something that God wasn't moving fast enough to do for you. It's just that simple.
Another thing.....Joel Osteen is NOT using the principles of LOA.... (Geesh!
) Stop giving the devil credit for what God has created. The LOA fools and demons have plagerized God's Bibilical principles and have called them their own and have only given God credit when it's convenient for them profit wise.
From day one, when satan tried to place himself above God and failed, he has always taken what God has created and tried to make Himself the hero and the banner. And fools will follow him each and every time.
There is nothing in this life neither in this world that any of us can accomplish without God. Leave the witchcraft alone. Not once have I ever knelt and asked God for something, has He ever denied nor failed me.
The only thing He ever asked us to do was 'Believe".
Stay away from witchcraft! What price your life? What in this world could anyone possibly want from the hand of satan, when God has already given us all. This life and what's in it is our inheritance just for being a child of the most High God. We are His children and He will not deny us.
To those who are Christians who defend LOA, what in hell is it that you want, when all that you could ever need God is willing to give it to you and He has.
Stay away from witchcraft --------- self will.
For this cause alone, it is extremely dangerous and Christians --- serious Christians know better.
No man can serve two masters. It's one or the other. God has made it plain, that He will have no other God before Him.
The LOA isn't new. It's witchcraft; man exerting his will over God's will; or basically 'overriding God' to man's preferences/desires.
Don't justify it with Joel Osteen nor anyone else. If you've used it you were in sin and nothing short of it. You wanted something that God wasn't moving fast enough to do for you. It's just that simple.
Another thing.....Joel Osteen is NOT using the principles of LOA.... (Geesh!
The LOA fools and demons have plagerized God's Bibilical principles and have called them their own and have only given God credit when it's convenient for them profit wise.
From day one, when satan tried to place himself above God and failed, he has always taken what God has created and tried to make Himself the hero and the banner. And fools will follow him each and every time.
There is nothing in this life neither in this world that any of us can accomplish without God. Leave the witchcraft alone. Not once have I ever knelt and asked God for something, has He ever denied nor failed me.
The only thing He ever asked us to do was 'Believe".
Stay away from witchcraft! What price your life? What in this world could anyone possibly want from the hand of satan, when God has already given us all. This life and what's in it is our inheritance just for being a child of the most High God. We are His children and He will not deny us.
To those who are Christians who defend LOA, what in hell is it that you want, when all that you could ever need God is willing to give it to you and He has.
Stay away from witchcraft --------- self will.
That's telling it like it is!
Plagiarize/plagiarism is an EXCELLENT word to describe the secret....
Good word, Shimmie!
username12
Well-Known Member
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers is an excellent read. It's LOA with a Biblical perspective. Everything is supported in the Bible.
LOA is not the 'devil.' All it says is you get what you think. That is exactly the same as "For as he thinks in his heart, so it he." Proverbs 23:7. We can be Christian and follows God's word, but if we don't have the right mindset, then our blessings will be blocked.
I'm Christian who is trying to reform my thought. I would pray to God and have faith, but still my life would be miserable because I didn't have any faith in myself.
As Christains, many of us are taught to "suffer." That's what I was taught at my church growing up. I learned that Christians should suffer, and if you are not suffering now, then be prepared, because you will suffer soon. So if things were going well in my life, I would self-satotage because that's what I thought God wanted for me.
But I was wrong, God wants us to be happy and prosper. His Will is to encourage us and to prosper us. So to me, the law of attraction is God's law. God can't prosper us if we are thinking negatively, or think that we don't deserve God's blessings.
LOA is not the 'devil.' All it says is you get what you think. That is exactly the same as "For as he thinks in his heart, so it he." Proverbs 23:7. We can be Christian and follows God's word, but if we don't have the right mindset, then our blessings will be blocked.
I'm Christian who is trying to reform my thought. I would pray to God and have faith, but still my life would be miserable because I didn't have any faith in myself.
As Christains, many of us are taught to "suffer." That's what I was taught at my church growing up. I learned that Christians should suffer, and if you are not suffering now, then be prepared, because you will suffer soon. So if things were going well in my life, I would self-satotage because that's what I thought God wanted for me.
But I was wrong, God wants us to be happy and prosper. His Will is to encourage us and to prosper us. So to me, the law of attraction is God's law. God can't prosper us if we are thinking negatively, or think that we don't deserve God's blessings.
Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
"What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his soul?" " Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them." I Corinthians 6: 12 & 13
Proverbs 14:12 says, "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
The teachings of believers in the Law of Attraction is attracting many people who have become frustrated and confused with understanding the "law" of success. Bible-believing Christians should understand the differences between reliance on positive thinking, faith in God, luck, chance, fate, destiny, some of the deceptive teachings of regarding the Law of Attraction.
The power of determination and the power of faith in God are indeed intertwined, but only to a certain crucial point, a line the Christian should never cross. Detection of where that crucial line begins, requires a basic, but solid understanding of spiritual beings and universal laws.
In this day of great deception, it's wise to examine every philosophy regarding things that are not seen to analyze if they are in agreement with God's word. Otherwise, what may appear to be positive speech may actually be a chant in disguise or a prayer to an unholy entity. The universal laws of the Lord may be mistakenly attributed to a so-called universal mind. And lastly, one's faith in God may be mistaken for nothing more than the power of positive thinking.
Here is something that was given to me that I would like to share. It's fairly long, but I believe that every christian need to read it, to get a full understanding of LOA. I will put it into two posts.
*****************************
Success By Positive Thinking Or Faith In God?
Motivational speakers expound on the power of positive thoughts, determination, and hard work as a winning formula for success in life. Christians expound on faith in God as the key for success. New Agers expound on belief in a universal mind and neutral spirits and energies into which anyone may tap for success, whether for good or evil.
Believers in all three philosophies are experiencing success. What is the difference in them? The power of determination and the power of faith in God are indeed intertwined, but only to a certain crucial point, a line the Christian should never cross. Detection of where that crucial line begins, requires a basic, but solid understanding of spiritual beings and universal laws.
All "energies" and spirit beings, are either good or evil. They are angels in the kingdom of God, the holy angels, or in the kingdom of Satan, the fallen angels that rebelled against God, including Satan, also known as the Serpent, the Dragon, and Beelzebub (KJV Bible, Revelation. 12.7-9, 2 Peter. 2.4, Luke 15.10, Matthew. 12.24). Man also has a spiritual body that is either under the influence of evil or good (KJV, 1 Thessalonians 5.23). In summary, there's no neutral or middle ground. There's no gray or fuzzy areas when it comes to spiritual matters. The Bible, from cover to cover, always compares and contrasts only two sides. A person is either with Jesus or he is against him (KJV, Matthew 12.30). He drinks from the cup of the Lord or the cup of devils and partakes of the table of either the Lord or the table of devils (KJV, 1 Corinthians 10.21). His name is written in the book of life or it is not written (KJV, Revelation 20.15). Every spirit in existence is either holy, serving Christ, or unholy, being against Christ (KJV, 1 John 4.1-3).
Armed with the truth that there are no neutral spirits or "energies", the question of the existence of a universal mind must now be examined due to what appears to be universal laws to which all life is subject.
Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. A swimmer uses his arms and legs to push water behind him, backwards. The more force he exerts on the water, the more the water exerts force on him. This universal law cannot be changed or manipulated whether one has a positive mind or not, has faith in God or believes in a universal mind.
The first law of thermodynamics states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed. If someone is given a cup of water and told to destroy it, he won't be able to obey. If he freezes the water, he'll have ice. If he boils it, he'll have steam, but a cup of water will still exist as vapor. These are the results that will be obtained whether the water is being handled by a pessimist, optimist, or Christian with faith in God.
Biology, teaches that animal life can't exist without blood. Consequently, if a person looses too much, his life will cease, no matter how much of an optimist he may be, no matter how much faith he has in God as all are subject to the laws of the universe. Lastly, there's the universal law that inevitably compels every life to eventually end. This truth doesn't mean that such laws can never be "broken", as this is the very definition of a miracle. However, unless the supernatural breaks the laws of the natural in the performance of a miracle, the universal laws remain in effect.
Indeed, there's a great "universal mind" whose thoughts are as high above those of mortals as the clouds in the sky. This universal mind is not a neutral force that can be harnessed for good or evil.
It's recorded in the Bible that God said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (KJV, Isaiah 55.8-9). There is Biblical proof that God is the author of all universal laws, including the aforementioned scientific ones.
Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
King Solomon, the supposed author of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, wrote in the fourteenth verse of the third chapter that, "whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." This is the law of thermodynamics. The universal law that allows no flesh to continue living without its blood has also been established by God. Leviticus 17.11 states that, "the life of the flesh is in the blood."
Finally, the most dreaded of all universal laws, the inevitable fate to die, is also revealed in scripture as the apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews 9.27 that, "it is appointed unto men once to die."
Since God is the universal law maker, surely His word should be the perfect guide to understanding the difference between reliance on positive thinking, determination and faith in Him. It should also show where the two belief systems blend and where they split.
The scripture of Genesis 11.1-6 is one of the most compelling of all biblical passages that plainly speak of the power of positive thinking, determination, and hard work as a winning combination that works even for those who are in opposition to God. Man is reminded of when his ancestors set out to build a great tower reaching into the heavens to avoid being scattered in the earth, and to give glory to themselves instead of God. It's written that the Lord Himself said, "behold, the people is one, and they have all one language, and this they begin to do, and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." There is no reason to believe that had the Lord not directly intervened, they would have accomplished a feat that would have dwarfed even the greatest of the wonders of the world.
The Bible also instructs the righteous to have positive, strong minds. The scripture of 2 Timothy 1.7 says that God gave the believer a spirit of power. The Christian is also to stand on the scriptures of Philippians 4.13 which tells him he can do all things through Christ that strengthens him, and that of Philippians 4.8 which states, "finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
But how is the positive thinking of a Christian any different from that of someone who isn't a believer? Concerning the working of the universal laws, there's no difference. However, the Christian is subject to another set of laws to which the non-Christian is not. This other law is the law of Christ. Essentially, the Christian must contend with the universal laws as well as submit to the law of Christ which exerts restrictions on him that are not exerted on those who have no faith in God, being carnally minded. The scripture of Romans 8.7 says that, "because the carnal/fleshly mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God..." The apostle Paul clearly stated that he thanked God through Christ, that with his mind he served the law of God but that with the flesh, he served the law of sin, meaning that he was subject to the laws of the God of the universe as well as to the laws of the God of Israel (all believers) and the God of his personal life. The believer is subject to a lot more than the one who does not believe. As a consequence, his journey to success may take a very different path, a much longer period of time, and expose him to very unpleasant circumstances. He is already told that, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (KJV, 2 Timothy 3.12). The one who places his faith in God is restricted from mixing with his positive thinking, the telling of lies, even "little white" lies, any form of theft, making alliances with the ungodly, and many other sins in which non-Christians participate to their advantage in the pursuit of success. It's not without reason that they say one can't make it in this world being totally honest. Although God wants His servants to achieve success also (KJV, III John 2), He doesn't permit them to help themselves through the commission of sin but rather to rest their positive mindset in faith in Him. Whenever the believer engages in activities that are prohibited by the law of Christ, even when they would work in harmony with his positive thinking he has overstepped the crucial line that divides the unbelieving optimists from the believing.
Are happiness, health, and riches obtained purely by positive thinking, determination, and hard work by the non-Christian, and by these same things plus faith in God by the Christian? Scripture holds the account of both wicked and righteous men who enjoyed wealth. The situation is no different in modern times. There are ample biblical passages which speak of the ungodly ways in which many of the wicked obtain riches and also of the fate that awaits them. However, there's also the account of godly men who obtained riches through God's blessing. Among such men were Abraham, Job, and Solomon (KJV, Genesis 13.11, Job 42.12, I Chronicles 1.12). It can't be disputed that the lack of riches in the believers life may be the consequence of many things including but not limited to failure to work diligently, mismanagement of finances, and bad decisions, all of which the Bible speaks. There's even the consideration of the scriptures which speak of how difficult it can be for a rich man to be saved because he tends to trust in his riches instead of in God. Therefore, his failure to achieve fortune may actually be his protection. Nevertheless, there are scriptures stating that God gives the power to obtain wealth (KJV, Deuteronomy 8.18, 1 Samuel 2.7), and sensible, decent people know that such wealth is not obtained in the wicked fashion of greed and oppression of others (KJV, Proverbs 22.16). Knowing also that God rains on the just and the unjust (KJV, Matthew 5.45), one might conclude that both the righteous and the unrighteous, with the power of positive thinking, determination, and hard work can therefore expect God's blessing of riches. Again, however, the Christian concerned that he doesn't sin against God in the actions resulting from positive thinking, must remember that the Bible informs that wealth can also come through direct Satanic power that may appear perfectly harmless. To illustrate the danger of such pit falls before revealing scripture which warns of this, the sharing of a real life example is in order.
Finally, the most dreaded of all universal laws, the inevitable fate to die, is also revealed in scripture as the apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews 9.27 that, "it is appointed unto men once to die."
Since God is the universal law maker, surely His word should be the perfect guide to understanding the difference between reliance on positive thinking, determination and faith in Him. It should also show where the two belief systems blend and where they split.
The scripture of Genesis 11.1-6 is one of the most compelling of all biblical passages that plainly speak of the power of positive thinking, determination, and hard work as a winning combination that works even for those who are in opposition to God. Man is reminded of when his ancestors set out to build a great tower reaching into the heavens to avoid being scattered in the earth, and to give glory to themselves instead of God. It's written that the Lord Himself said, "behold, the people is one, and they have all one language, and this they begin to do, and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." There is no reason to believe that had the Lord not directly intervened, they would have accomplished a feat that would have dwarfed even the greatest of the wonders of the world.
The Bible also instructs the righteous to have positive, strong minds. The scripture of 2 Timothy 1.7 says that God gave the believer a spirit of power. The Christian is also to stand on the scriptures of Philippians 4.13 which tells him he can do all things through Christ that strengthens him, and that of Philippians 4.8 which states, "finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
But how is the positive thinking of a Christian any different from that of someone who isn't a believer? Concerning the working of the universal laws, there's no difference. However, the Christian is subject to another set of laws to which the non-Christian is not. This other law is the law of Christ. Essentially, the Christian must contend with the universal laws as well as submit to the law of Christ which exerts restrictions on him that are not exerted on those who have no faith in God, being carnally minded. The scripture of Romans 8.7 says that, "because the carnal/fleshly mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God..." The apostle Paul clearly stated that he thanked God through Christ, that with his mind he served the law of God but that with the flesh, he served the law of sin, meaning that he was subject to the laws of the God of the universe as well as to the laws of the God of Israel (all believers) and the God of his personal life. The believer is subject to a lot more than the one who does not believe. As a consequence, his journey to success may take a very different path, a much longer period of time, and expose him to very unpleasant circumstances. He is already told that, "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (KJV, 2 Timothy 3.12). The one who places his faith in God is restricted from mixing with his positive thinking, the telling of lies, even "little white" lies, any form of theft, making alliances with the ungodly, and many other sins in which non-Christians participate to their advantage in the pursuit of success. It's not without reason that they say one can't make it in this world being totally honest. Although God wants His servants to achieve success also (KJV, III John 2), He doesn't permit them to help themselves through the commission of sin but rather to rest their positive mindset in faith in Him. Whenever the believer engages in activities that are prohibited by the law of Christ, even when they would work in harmony with his positive thinking he has overstepped the crucial line that divides the unbelieving optimists from the believing.
Are happiness, health, and riches obtained purely by positive thinking, determination, and hard work by the non-Christian, and by these same things plus faith in God by the Christian? Scripture holds the account of both wicked and righteous men who enjoyed wealth. The situation is no different in modern times. There are ample biblical passages which speak of the ungodly ways in which many of the wicked obtain riches and also of the fate that awaits them. However, there's also the account of godly men who obtained riches through God's blessing. Among such men were Abraham, Job, and Solomon (KJV, Genesis 13.11, Job 42.12, I Chronicles 1.12). It can't be disputed that the lack of riches in the believers life may be the consequence of many things including but not limited to failure to work diligently, mismanagement of finances, and bad decisions, all of which the Bible speaks. There's even the consideration of the scriptures which speak of how difficult it can be for a rich man to be saved because he tends to trust in his riches instead of in God. Therefore, his failure to achieve fortune may actually be his protection. Nevertheless, there are scriptures stating that God gives the power to obtain wealth (KJV, Deuteronomy 8.18, 1 Samuel 2.7), and sensible, decent people know that such wealth is not obtained in the wicked fashion of greed and oppression of others (KJV, Proverbs 22.16). Knowing also that God rains on the just and the unjust (KJV, Matthew 5.45), one might conclude that both the righteous and the unrighteous, with the power of positive thinking, determination, and hard work can therefore expect God's blessing of riches. Again, however, the Christian concerned that he doesn't sin against God in the actions resulting from positive thinking, must remember that the Bible informs that wealth can also come through direct Satanic power that may appear perfectly harmless. To illustrate the danger of such pit falls before revealing scripture which warns of this, the sharing of a real life example is in order.
Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
A young, Christian, single mother once came into possession of a printed prayer for guaranteed wealth. The written instructions were authored by a secretive group of people whose "organization" maintains international chapters and whose name will not be revealed. The instructions required all participants to say the prayer at a specific time of the day, for a specific number of days. Real life, verifiable and long-lasting testimonies of "blessings" of wealth, accompanied the prayer and its instructions, along with biblical scripture. The young woman phoned her brother-in-law, a young minister with above average Bible knowledge. She was excited to share what she thought was her new found Christian knowledge, plan to pray the prayer, and invitation for him to participate. Immediately upon hearing what organized group of people was behind the prayer, he realized that his sister-in-law was on the verge of participating in prayer directed not to God, but to unholy entities, constituting a form of worship of them.
Among those that instruct that the power of the positive mind leads to the power of positive speech, are non-Christian motivational speakers and followers of the New Age who are often one and the same. Their audiences are told that tangible things can literally be spoken into and out of existence as one taps into the universal mind which may be Christ, Buddha, God, or what or whoever it is in which a person believes. Christians are falling into the trap of believing such twisted and calculated misuse of biblical passages. Among the chief scriptures used include the following words of Jesus:
...Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you (KJV, Matthew 17.20).
New Age philosophy, and strange "religions" often believe in the messages captured from what are said to be extra-terrestrial beings. These beings claim that Jesus was no different than anyone else, except that He possessed a higher consciousness. They also point out that Christ did not specifically call for faith in Him; He just said faith. Trusting in the fact that hardly anyone takes the time to verify scriptural references for themselves, deception can carry out its plan. Had the young woman been truly instructed in the vast wisdom of the scriptures, she would have at least realized that prayer and worship can be directed to Satan's kingdom, specifically in exchange for power, riches, and practically anything else that can be desired.
In the scripture of Matthew 4.8-9, its recorded that, "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
The "glory" of the kingdoms of the world is riches which in turns carries power. The Bible does not go into detail of the many forms of satanic adoration that exists. Many seem innocent, others are bloody and gruesome, but nevertheless, very literal diabolical contracts. Such dark, abominable and often, secret deeds are to be mentioned only with discretion (KJV, Ephesian 5.12).
Among those that instruct that the power of the positive mind leads to the power of positive speech, are non-Christian motivational speakers and followers of the New Age who are often one and the same. Their audiences are told that tangible things can literally be spoken into and out of existence as one taps into the universal mind which may be Christ, Buddha, God, or what or whoever it is in which a person believes. Christians are falling into the trap of believing such twisted and calculated misuse of biblical passages. Among the chief scriptures used include the following words of Jesus:
...Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you (KJV, Matthew 17.20).
New Age philosophy, and strange "religions" often believe in the messages captured from what are said to be extra-terrestrial beings. These beings claim that Jesus was no different than anyone else, except that He possessed a higher consciousness. They also point out that Christ did not specifically call for faith in Him; He just said faith. Trusting in the fact that hardly anyone takes the time to verify scriptural references for themselves, deception can carry out its plan. Had the young woman been truly instructed in the vast wisdom of the scriptures, she would have at least realized that prayer and worship can be directed to Satan's kingdom, specifically in exchange for power, riches, and practically anything else that can be desired.
In the scripture of Matthew 4.8-9, its recorded that, "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
The "glory" of the kingdoms of the world is riches which in turns carries power. The Bible does not go into detail of the many forms of satanic adoration that exists. Many seem innocent, others are bloody and gruesome, but nevertheless, very literal diabolical contracts. Such dark, abominable and often, secret deeds are to be mentioned only with discretion (KJV, Ephesian 5.12).
Thank you Precious Wavy...
This title in your post says it all...
*Success By Positive Thinking Or Faith In God?*
The Apostle Paul said it plainly and yet to the point, "I Believe God."
Jesus asked it plainly and yet to the point, "Do you believe (that I can do this?). Jesus said further, 'Blessed are those who Believe (HIM).
The bottomline is, God is not mocked, meaning that He cannot be imitated, neither replaced. There is no duplication of God and all that pertains to Him.
When God says that He will have no other Gods before Him, He is literally protecting us from ourselves. For when we venture out beyond Him and seek other gods, it is the path to failure.
If Christians want to partake of an loa, then go to the real one, Jesus Christ who is...
Lord
of
All
:heart2:
EbonyHairedPrincess
New Member
LOA has enhanded my understanding of how God works. It has allowed me to step out in faith and realize it's not about naming and claiming but about having faith and doing the work (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). Most life enhancing concepts are met with opposition initially, LOA is no exception. Not everyone is going to get on the bus and that is okay, but when people are riding past you ......
But angel, why did it take this method of witchcraft to understand God, especially when you have the Holy Spirit of God who will lead and guide you into ALL truth.
Jesus, Himself told us that He was leaving with us, a Comforter, the Holy Spirit who is our guide and connection who would give us ALL understanding.
Oh Little One..... don't let satan deceive you into thinking God is not our all in all. For it is God and God alone who has provided for all that we could ever need or ask for. I see so clearly how the enemy has crept into the minds and hearts of so many precious ones. To understand God comes from God and no other or none other source.
You're a precious love of God's heart and you don't need a false god to give you an understanding of who God is.
Last edited:
Please name a life-enhancing concept (that DOES NOT remove the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ) that has received opposition.
In other words, the Bible-believing Christian's "resistance" to loa is BIBLICALLY BASED!
Proverbs 3:4-5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and LEAN NOT TO THY OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths."
But, EHP: I have heard others say what you said about how the secret has "helped" them re. their faith. However, it advances into dangerous territory because it can draw a (weaker) Christian away from the Lord. Please understand that I am not calling anybody weak. What I am saying is that what Christians need is in the Word of God. And the Lord knew we would be confronted with all manner of enticements that would draw us away from Him so He gave instruction concerning such things:
Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before.
Mark 13:22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
Similar threads
