Pagan practices drew the Israelites away from God, and they do the same with modern Christians.
Promising spiritual, emotional, or physical benefits, pagan practices inspire an unrealistic loyalty. Christians become dependent, losing some of their discernment, and it causes some to lose their faith completely.
Here are a few examples that have a growing loyalty among Christians:
Yoga is a Hindu ritual with a Hindu name, based entirely on Hindu movements of worship. But it's sold to the public as simply an exercise and method of relaxation. Once addicted, Christians insist it is harmless and even try to combine it with Scripture meditation. Learn more about yoga's paganism: Examining Yoga Biblically and Should Christians Practice Yoga?.
Reiki is a Japanese technique that is based on the pagan belief that an unseen ‘life force energy’ flows through us and keeps us alive. Reiki claims to spiritually guide people's life force energy, promoting well-being and healing. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words—Rei, which means ‘God's Wisdom or the Higher Power,’ and Ki, which is ‘life force energy’ (reiki.org). Learn more about Reiki: Got Questions.
Enneagram, a practice with growing popularity among Christians, was introduced by a New Age mystic and promoted by New Agers. See Why Christians Should Avoid the Enneagram.
Even though God strongly warns against pagan practices, many Christians defend them, insisting they're healthy and harmless (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Please don't be taken in by these claims, dear Christians! And steer clear of any Christian teacher who uses or promotes these things.
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Note: I have never heard a Christian praise yoga strictly for physical benefits. It always includes emotional, spiritual, or mental benefits. And this is one way pagan spirits successfully deceive Christians. The only way we achieve true peace, joy, and emotional healing is through Christ (John 14:27), not through pagan-inspired body positions and not through reciting Scripture while practicing pagan techniques. And we rarely hear about The Dangers of Yoga.
Listen to the warnings of those who were once advocates for these practices.
Listen to this interview with a former New Age Guru Should Christians Practice Yoga?
Listen to a former Reiki master: Why Christians Should Avoid Reiki and Energy Healing.
Listen to a former New Age teacher: The enneagram: Personality test or guide to the occult.
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