There is a lot of talk right now about manifestation and the law of attraction. But it is biblical?  Should Christian practice this new age philosophy?

Update for clarification:  This article simply states my thoughts that when most people talk about law of attraction and manifestation they rarely include God in giving thanks.  There are many instances in the Bible that mentions manifesting but not in the new-age way it is used today.  

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I have had this blog post about manifesting on my heart for the past few weeks.  I didn’t intend to write it though, because I thought there is enough information out there about manifestation.  But, lately, I have come across so many friends and people who’s email lists I have joined, who are sharing about how they manifested their heart’s desires.

As a Christian blogger, I felt it is my duty to share why Christians should not practice manifestation or be part of the new age philosophy of “law of attraction”.

What exactly is manifestation

If you are in the personal development space, you don’t have to look hard to find books, articles and ‘spiritual’ guides teaching and talking about manifestation and law of attraction.

The idea behind manifestation is that you can bring forth something into your life by focusing, believing, and attracting it.

At first glance, this new age thinking seems as simple as focusing your attention on your desires and they will materialize.

There are, however, very serious elements that are wrong with manifestation and that is why I believe Christians should stay as far away as they can.

It is easy to see the appeal of manifestation

When you are out of a job, down on your luck; when you desire more than your current circumstance or when things just aren’t showing up the way you had hoped, we get desperate to try anything. I get it.  I’ve been there too.

It’s appealing to thinking that you can actually manifest your heart’s desires with just your thoughts and the power of your mind.

Those who know me well, know that I am a huge fan of personal development.  I believe that we are all here to learn more about ourselves, each other and God.

But I have seen so many people post on Facebook or Instagram sharing how they manifested money, their dream home or their dream husband.  I even got an email from someone who manifested their dream pet.

Also see, Speak God’s Promises Over Your Life

But what does the Bible say about manifestation and law of attraction?

5 Reasons Manifestation and Law of Attraction is not Godly

 

1. It ignores the sovereignty of God.
2. The manifester becomes their own God
3. It robs you of the gift of waiting
4. God gets zero praise when we get what we want
5. We create idols of the things we are desiring

I. It ignores the sovereignty of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5

When we engage in manifestation, we are placing more faith in our own thoughts instead of seeking God’s Will for our situation.  Yet, we know from Proverbs 3:5 that we should place our trust in God above our own understanding.  He loves us and wants the best for us so we should place our plans and desires in His hands and ask His help in achieving them.

Also see: Declare God’s abundance over your life.

II. The manifester becomes their own god

“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3

Manifesting fools us into believing that we are creators and the masters of our own destiny.  God is the only true creator.  He spoke and the world into being.  All things come from His generous abundance.  If we desire something and take all the steps to make them come true without first filtering it through the guidance of God then we are taking a risk of what we will receive.  God tells us in Exodus 20:3 that we should have “no other gods before me.”

III. It robs you of the gift of waiting

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

There is something you desire, perhaps its more money, a nicer home, friends, better marriage.  Whatever it is, we can present this desire to God.  When God does not answer as quickly as we hope, we want to turn to other means to get that desired outcome.

But what if the reason you have not met that dream partner, or acquired more money is because there is something you need to learn or a person you need to become before you can not only acquire your dream desire but hold on to it as well.

What no one mentions when they talk about manifesting is what happens afterward.  What kind of marriage do you have after you’ve manifested your husband or wife? How long did the money you manifested last and did it bring you the joy you are seeking? God loves us and wants us to live joyfully with Him.  When we manifest, we rob ourselves of the gifts God wants to bestow and the growth we need to hold on to those blessings.

IV. God gets zero praise when we get what we want

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:20-21

I rarely hear people thank or give God praise when they achieve the thing they are manifesting.  And if they don’t believe it comes from God then where does it come from? If we are not careful, we might be receiving our desires from the enemy, who is always prowling, aware of our deepest desires, and ready to use them to move us further from God.  The Bible tells us that all good things come from the Lord but if we do not include Him on our plans, and do not give Him any praise or glory for our blessings then we risk relying solely on ourselves.

V. We create idols of the things we are desiring

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

I know what it’s like to deeply desire something; to want it so badly and you want it now.  If only you could have it, you would be so happy and all would be right in your world.  The problem with desiring something too much though is that we can create an idol out of that desired outcome.  We focus on it daily, we create vision boards so we can see if all the time, we spend time doing everything we can to manifest our dreams.  There is nothing wrong with focusing on something you want to achieve; success comes from strategic focus after all.  But we have to include God in all we do.  He has to be the focus of our desires.  He has to be the one we want to please and whose Will we want to follow, not our own.

What to do instead?

So what do we do when we want to set our mind on achieving or acquiring something?  There are steps we can take today that are biblically sound.

1. Pray about it.  Offer this desire to God and ask Him to help you accomplish it.  Pray for discernment also, that you may hear God’s voice and that the Holy Spirit may give you wisdom to know what to do.
2. Submit to God’s Will.  Let us not be so completely obsessed with our desires that we overlook or ignore God’s Will.  Pray in faith that God wants only the best for you and believe that He will help you.
3. Affirmations. What’s the difference between manifestation and affirmations?  Biblically-based affirmations are repeating God’s words – which are true – back to yourself and declaring them as true over yourself and your dreams. You are dreaming with God and seeking His Will, rather than your own.
4. Do the work. If you are praying for more money then do your own part in taking the necessary steps to achieve that dream.  It might mean, going back to school, learning a new skill, looking for a better paying job.  Whatever it is, once we have offered the desire to God and ask for His guidance we should do the work to accomplish it.

A key part of manifesting is relying on the universe to bring us what we desire. I take heart in knowing that my God created the universe.  He is bigger than the universe and He is limitless! What more can He give us!

Pray with me: Lord, I present my plans and desires to you. I humbly ask for your blessings and guidance.  Please direct my steps that these plans may be pleasing to You and in accordance with Your Will for me and my life.  Lord, you have seen my future, you know everything.  If this will be a blessing to me and my family and draw me closer to you, please help me to achieve it.  If it is not, Lord give me a sign and show me another way.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

I would love to hear your thoughts on manifestation and law of attraction? Do you think Christians should be engaged in manifestation?