Feng Shui, Reiki, Astrology, Crystals, Incense, Smudging, Chakras, etc.
vs. Christianity
I was taught and/or given the strong impression that all of these were bad, and some were even evil, and that I should avoid them [and people who use or practice them] at all costs.
The pure IRONY of it all was/is that this was taught by some of the same people who uphold the New Year's tradition of eating Black-eyed Peas (for prosperity and good fortune for the new year - OR so that you are not impacted negatively financially in or during the New Year).
Hmmm...
Does anyone see or hear a hypocrite anywhere, lol?
I know - I know - it's only done in fun.
So, if that is the case, then why are you assuming that people that do or utilize these other things are not doing so from a 'just for fun' or 'just because' position? Why are you so quick to judge them before you even know where they are coming from or what their feelings and beliefs are [regarding these things]?
For me, the key word when addressing issues like this resides with a person's INTENT when utilizing any of these practices.
-- Is it for excessive personal gain [especially over other people], VS. is it to improve, add ease to, or remove discomfort from your life, or to help another person?
-- Are you going to be mad or upset if it 'doesn't work'?
If so, you may be stepping into a sense or type of 'worshipping' that item/practice, which is a big No-no when it comes to where God is concerned.
Personally - for me - my whole attitude towards items and practices like these is that if it helps, ok - and if it doesn't help, then ok too.
If I am drawn to something which adds beauty to my life, or which brings a sense of peace to it, I am [most likely] not going to avoid it [unless God directs me otherwise, and I don't need other people to tell me what God - via the Holy Spirit - can tell me directly] just because SOME person in SOME place used it in an ill manner. God knows my INTENT and I will let Him be my judge regarding if/when/where/how I make use of something.
QUESTION:
But what about setting a Christian example for the world?
MY THOUGHTS:
My occasional use of [a modified] Feng Shui to help with furniture placement [and not so that God will bless me financially or anything like that], or my choice to burn some sage in a room where abuse took place [as a physical act to help represent the clearing out of mental or emotional memories of that abuse/trauma/etc.], or the fact that I think that some rocks are pretty [and I want to add some more pretty things to my life], DOES NOT make me a Heathen or Satan worshipper. Nor do I believe that it is going to turn someone away from Christ's sacrifice for me [or them] if that person takes the time to have a one-on-one conversation with me. I am not doing anything which is a direct act of worshipping some god or object. Again, I have enough confidence in my ongoing relationship with God to be able to discern if I am to avoid or discontinue or whatever some thing or practice or object without the need for someone else to tell me [for God]. I am going to let people pass whatever judgement they want to on me and just see that behavior as a reflection of something going on inside of them. In my experience, people who are prone to judge and control [i.e., to 'guide or direct for the other person's own good'] actually have some personal issues of their own which they are avoiding dealing with, and I am fine with not letting that attitude get to me or influence how I live my life - it's them, not me.
Rachell
Comments
Post a Comment