Broken Cisterns Of The Occult

"They have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, they have hewed them

out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13).

This solemn complaint by God against His people in Jeremiah's time applies also to the millions in modem times who have turned from the true knowledge of God through Christ to seek spiritual satisfaction in the occult. We live in an era marked by an explosion of interest in the occult, which finds expression in many different forms.

Young people may easily be drawn into playing ouija, regarding it as a harmless but fascinating game. It was formerly known as the "spirit of the glass" until more sophisticated forms were commercially produced. Experience has shown that it leads on occasions to serious manifestations of the power of evil spirits, giving a subtle introduction to the lure of the occult. Knowing this, a Christian should avoid any contact with the game - Similarly with other practices regarded by many people as harmless pastimes - tarot, I Ching, crystal gazing, palmistry and the like. God's word warns against all forms of divination (Deut. 18:10).

Some religious movements such as satanism openly invite their adherents to yield their lives to Satan, using degrading and barbarous rituals, and

openly blaspheming God and His Christ - The "Christian Spiritualist" movement assumes a Christian guise, often singing evangelical hymns at their services. Yet their teachings and practices are a complete denial of the true Christian faith. Measured by God's word they follow "doctrines of demons" and in practice they have communion with demons. The instructed believer will have no difficulty in identifying such movements as being of the evil one.

Perhaps less obviously associated with the occult are some of the mystic eastern movements which have made such marked impact in the western world over the past three decades. Yoga is a case in point. This has attracted a wide following because it purports to offer relief from the materialistic pressures of modern life, and a link with the so-called "life force of the universe".

There are different schools of yoga and many people are attracted in the first instance to "hatha yoga" which attaches great importance to physical techniques - various exercises and postures and breathing control. These contribute to a sense of relaxation and well-being. But the physical techniques are subtly related to the philosophy of Hinduism and the occult concepts behind it.

What is this philosophy, and how is it linked with the occult? The basic idea is that the practice of yoga leads to the discovery of one's "real self", elevating the thoughts and giving assurance of greater capabilities. Our human nature is said to be good and worthy and is essentially one with the divine, "the universal spirit". So in complete contrast with Scriptural revelation, but based on Hindu religious concepts, it is a philosophy of self-redemption.

This becomes clearer when we consider forms of yoga which emphasize meditative techniques - Transcendental Meditation is one of these. It is promoted as a technique to increase personal effectiveness under the name "Science of Creative Intelligence". But the techniques cannot be learned without involvement in an initiatory ceremony of religious worship. This includes a direct invocation of Hindu gods. Then the practice of TM requires the use of personal mantras for two twenty-minute sessions each day, and the mantras are invocations of Hindu deities. From 1 Cor. 10:19-20 the Christian recognizes that behind such gods are demons, providing a sinister link with the occult.

Besides asserting the innate goodness of our "real self", yoga encourages the opening of the human spirit to the "life force of the universe", for man is said to be one with the divine, the "universal spirit" or "Brahman". This idea leads all yogis to "believe in themselves as a god or as a part of the deity". The "gurus", who have advanced beyond most, are looked upon as personified deities and command immense respect or even worship.

Some Christians have been drawn into adapted forms of yoga, replacing the mantras with Christian words and prayers. They regard yoga as a neutral technique that can be used for Christian ends to develop greater Christian fulfilment - But to appreciate that yoga is ultimately rooted in the occult and involves the exaltation of the human ego should rather cause us to avoid any association with it. The believer will not wish to go through yoga disciplines to learn how to "empty the mind". He does not need to practise "suspending all the functions of his soul". His mind in quiet times is to be filled with Christ as revealed in Scripture, and his soul is to be alive and active in communing response to the matchless love of Christ.

unknown | May 1986
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