HOLISTIC MEDICINE, NEW AGE, AND THE OCCULT

There have been many warnings about Oprah’s anti-Christian New Age teachings, and that’s good. Unfortunately, new age teachings are also finding their way into the mainstream through what is known as Holistic Medicine.

Web Definition of Holistic Medicine:

“Medical care involving the treatment of the whole person – body, spirit and mind.”

This definition alone should raise a red flag for the Christian. Yet many Christians have been drawn into Holistic Medicine because of the emphasis on organic, natural, and herbal. I learned about this first hand after purchasing a book that promoted these things. After getting half way through the book I threw it out because I saw where it was going.

In a day when many are not happy with the pharmaceutical companies, alternatives can be very appealing. Holistic Medicine’s promotion of innocuous things like organic food, which is good for you, can very well be the “worm on a hook” that has the potential of drawing people into the world of the occult. While a Christian may be able to exercise discernment, undiscerning unbelievers may be drawn into occult practices that they wouldn’t otherwise be involved in. Many holistic web sites that promote organic, natural, and herbal products promote occult practices also; and just because certain products are labeled “natural” or “herbal” is no guarantee that they are safe.

 

 

JESUS OR ISRAEL?

Will we believe Jesus and the Scriptures, or will we believe deceptive man made teachings?

Contrast the unbiblical teachings of … JOHN HAGEE

with what the Apostle Paul taught about Jesus in … ACTS CHAPTER 26

Paul taught what Jesus taught …

Luke 24:24-27 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:44-53 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

WONDERING AFTER THE BEAST

As we look at the world around us, we can see a manifestation of the principles found in the verses below. Most of the world is going in one direction, honoring and exalting those who do not honor God’s Word. Mortal, sinful men are lifted up and exalted, while at the same time God’s Word is held in very low esteem. Much of what is said and done is blasphemous, idolatrous, yet few are aware that it is so. It is only because we have God’s Spirit that we see, and truly it is a wonder to behold!

Revelation 13:3 . . . and all the world wondered after the beast.

Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

wondered

2296. thaumazo, thou-mad’-zo

from 2295; to wonder; by implication, to admire:–admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

[The media coverage of the Pope’s visit to the U.S. prompted me to write this post.]

STRANGERS

Have you ever felt like an alien in this world because you have been born from above?

Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole?

Meaning of “square peg in a round hole”:

If somebody is in a situation, organisation, etc, where they don’t fit in and feel out of place, they are a square peg in a round hole.

What does the bible say about believers living in this world?

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

sojourning

3940. paroikia, par-oy-kee’-ah

from 3941; foreign residence:–sojourning, as strangers.

3941. paroikos, par’-oy-kos

from 3844 and 3624; having a home near, i.e. (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident):–foreigner, sojourn, stranger.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

strangers

3941. paroikos, par’-oy-kos

from 3844 and 3624; having a home near, i.e. (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident):–foreigner, sojourn, stranger.

pilgrims

3927. parepidemos, par-ep-id’-ay-mos

from 3844 and the base of 1927; an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner:–pilgrim, stranger.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

strangers

3581. xenos, xen’-os

apparently a primary word; foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer:–host, strange(-r).

pilgrims

3927. parepidemos, par-ep-id’-ay-mos

from 3844 and the base of 1927; an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner:–pilgrim, stranger.

Hebrews 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Strong’s Greek Dictionary:

country

3968. patris, pat-rece’

from 3902; a father-land, i.e. native town; (figuratively) heavenly home:–(own) country.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENMITY

It is good for us, as born again Christians, to understand the root of the enmity that exists between those who know the Lord, and those who do not. Understanding, and being prepared, may prevent us from being devastated when this enmity raises it’s ugly head. The root of the enmity is revealed in the pages of Scripture. This enmity exists between believers and unbelievers. Scripture declares it to be so, and there can be no debate about what Scripture has declared to be true.

ENMITY

0342. ‘eybah, ay-baw’

from 340; hostility: – enmity, hatred.

See Hebrew 0340 (‘ayab)

0340. ‘ayab, aw-yab’

a primitive root; to hate (as one of an opposite tribe or party); hence to be hostile: –   be an enemy.

(Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary)

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

John Wesley’s Notes:

A perpetual quarrel is here commenced between the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of the devil among men; … between the seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent, …

It is the fruit of this enmity,

(1.) That there is a continual conflict . . . Heaven and hell can never be reconciled, no more can Satan and a sanctified soul.

(2.) That there is likewise a continual struggle between the wicked and the good. And all the malice of persecutors against the people of God is the fruit of this enmity, which will continue while there is a godly man on this side heaven, and a wicked man on this side hell.