Is The Law Of Attraction Biblical?

Most people have heard the phrase, “Opposites attract.” It is often used when describing two totally different people being attracted to each other. This phrase uses the idea of opposite ends of magnets being attracted to each other through magnetism. However, there is a spiritual idea in some circles called the Law of Attraction. To fully understand if this “law” is Biblical, it must be examined in its popular sense. Then it must be compared with God’s Word so that we can know what is the Law of Attraction as it relates to Scripture.

What is the common understanding of the law of attraction?

If you type “What is the Law of Attraction?” in Google, the following definition is given:

The law of attraction is the name given to the belief that “like attracts like” and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results.

While this statement seems somewhat simple and reasonable, it is the “spiritual” power behind this statement that requires investigation. Looking further, it is easy to find that the Law of Attraction, also known as “New Thought,” is rooted in the belief that people and their thoughts are made up of pure energy that attracts other similar energies.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil 4:13)

While the term Law of Attraction was originally used in the late 1800s and promoted in psychological and spiritual circles, it gained popularity when it was promoted in the 2006 film, The Secret, by Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Larry King (1). The film and book by the same name taught that “everything one wants or needs can be satisfied by believing in an outcome, repeatedly thinking about it, and maintaining positive emotional states to “attract” the desired outcome.”

While people debate the validity of the Law of Attraction, one thing is clear, the idea of having special mental powers is not new. The Bible makes reference to this as follows:

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

Here, Satan temped Eve with having supernatural knowledge. Of course, we find out soon after that this “knowledge” was really a curse that had a deadly effect on humanity (Romans 5:12-28). So the question then becomes, do humans have the ability to create supernatural change out of their direct physical control by just the power of their mind?

What power do humans have in their mind?

While this topic is debated and studied, the Bible has quite a bit to say about it:

1. All powers are ordained by God and subject to God (Job 1:12; Psalms 147:5; Matthew 28:18; John 19:11; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 13:1; Ephesians 3:1-12; Colossians 1:13-17; Colossians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:22; Jude 1:25)

2. Human minds have no supernatural power of their own (Deuteronomy 8:14-18; Luke 8:22-25; Ephesians 2:1-7; Ephesians 6:10-13; 2 Peter 1:3)

3. Humans do not have the power over death (Ecclesiastes 8:8; Matthew 9:6; Revelation 20:6)

4. Humans can only get power from God (Psalms 68:35; Proverbs 3:27; Ecclesiastes 5:19; Isaiah 40:27-31; Zechariah 4:6; Mark 6:7; Luke 24:49; John 1:12; Acts 1:7-8)

5. Humans that seek powers from other sources, misuse power, or resist the power of God shall be rebuked or damned by God (Deuteronomy 8:19-20; Ezra 8:22; Micah 2:1-4; Luke 4:3-8; Luke 22:53; Acts 8:10; Romans 13:2; 1 Corinthians 9:12-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10; Revelation 13:4-10)

6. The power of God comes only from God (Mark 12:24-27; Luke 10:19; Acts 6:8; Acts 26:14-18; Romans 1:16-20; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Peter 1:3)

These are only a fraction of verses that teach us that only God is the I Am (Exodus 3:4); Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8); the Word (John 1:1,14); Healer (Exodus 15:26); Provider (Genesis 22:14); Forgiver (Psalms 99:8); Master (Genesis 15:2); Everlasting (Genesis 21:33); Shepherd (Psalms 23:1); Maker (Psalms 95:6); and Creator (Isaiah 40:28).

How is the law of attraction promoted?

It is clear that humans do not have any inherent power that is supernatural. However, the Law of Attraction is promoted openly and secretly as follows:

Mediation apart from God’s Word
Yoga (Hindu worship practice of becoming one with the Brahman)
New Age Power
Buddhism/ Karma
Theophostic counseling
Power of positive thinking
Crystal self-healing
Cosmic ordering
Mind over matter
Think and Grow Rich
Mindfulness
Contemplative psychotherapy

Most of these promoted “New Thought,” Law of Attraction practices are not new at all. However, the teachings continue to be repackaged so it may be taught in schools, medical practices, and fully endorsed by psychology practitioners in such a way that more and more people accept them into their lives. This is despite many studies showing that at best, these practices have a placebo effect that convinces people that they have powers to do things that are helping them “reach their full potential.” According to Scripture, these practices are nothing more than the worship of devils (1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 1 Timothy 4:1). Therefore, we should avoid these practices (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 6:11-18).

Sadly, if people would spend a fraction of the time learning how to be empowered from on high by the Holy Spirit, they would learn that there is a source of power, which enables us to do all things (Philippians 4:13). That power comes from the power of God through the Gospel of salvation (Romans 1:16) that keeps us secure in the hand of God (John 10:28-29; 1 Peter 1:5) and gives us peace and power beyond all understanding (Philippians 4:6-9; 2 Timothy 1:7).

Conclusion

The Law of Attraction, also called new thought, is a belief system that teaches that humans have the power to affect supernatural events with concentrated thinking or meditation. It is not new in the sense that it has been around in many forms and under differing names since the beginning of human history. Those who participate in the practices associated are doing nothing more spiritually than worshiping devils whether they know it or not. The solution to being able to have supernatural power is through the power of the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to use God’s power for loving God and our neighbor.

Renew your mind, read this article to learn how: How Do I Meditate on the Word of God?

Resources – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version. (1) Wikipedia. (2014). “The Secret (2006 film)”. Retrieved from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(2006_film)

Tagged as: Christian Answers, Law of attraction