60. Q&A: Are you Practicing New Age and You Don't Know It?

In this episode of Curious for Christ, we explore how seemingly harmless spiritual practices, often rooted in New Age philosophies, can subtly pull us away from a Christ-centered faith. From manifestation techniques to energy healing, we discuss how to discern these influences and realign with God’s truth. Using biblical examples and practical tools, we uncover how to confidently walk in obedience to Christ in a culture filled with mixed messages.

Key Points:
1. What Is New Age?
• The New Age movement blends spiritual ideas like self-enlightenment and universal energy, often contradicting Scripture.
• Examples include astrology, crystals, and visualization techniques.
• Biblical Anchor: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
2. Blurred Lines – Harmless or Misleading Practices?
• Manifestation vs. Trusting God’s Will (James 4:2)
• Astrology and Horoscopes vs. God’s Guidance (Leviticus 19:26b)
• Crystals for Healing vs. Trusting God (Psalm 121:2)
3. Biblical Examples of Straying and Realigning with God
• The Golden Calf (Exodus 32): Fear and impatience led to idolatry.
• Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24): Misunderstanding God’s power led to repentance.
4. How to Discern New Age from Faith-Based Practices
• Key Questions:
• Does this practice lead me to trust God or myself?
• Does it point to Christ or other sources of power?
• Biblical Anchor: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
5. Practical Steps to Align with Christ
• Renounce unbiblical practices (1 John 1:9).
• Seek Scripture-based alternatives like biblical meditation (Psalm 119:15).
• Surrender your plans to God’s will (Proverbs 16:9).

Reflection Verse:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Join the Conversation:
• Facebook Community: Connect with others for support and accountability.
• Resources Mentioned: Listen to Episode 59 on Sabbath rest for practical guidance.


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Transcript

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Welcome back to curious for Christ for Wednesday, Q and a. Today we're diving into a topic that's more relevant than ever. Are you practicing you age and you don't even know it. Throughout history. Culture has always had a way of creeping into our beliefs and practices, and it often blurs the lines between what is from God and what isn't. And that's why it's so important to discern carefully, to know God's voice and to align our lives with his truth. So here's the good news. God loves us deeply. He is our good shepherd. He's always guiding us protests. Protecting us. And calling us to recognize his voice amidst the noise. And the truth is God is almighty. He knows all things, sees all things. And cares for us with a love beyond our understanding. So let's take some time today to unpack these subtle cultural influences. And lean into God's wisdom. We'll discover also how to walk confidently in his truth and obedience. So let's get started. Welcome to curious for Christ. Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night? Wondering about God's plan for your life. Maybe you wake up with big dreams, but feel unsure where to start or what your next step should be. If you're curious about exploring your faith and finding purpose, then you've come to the right place. Hi, I'm Monica, Sandra. I too felt lost unsure of the direction my life was taking. I yearned to understand my purpose and have someone guide me. But I kept telling myself I was too busy, the timing wasn't right. And my lack of clarity prevented me from being consistent until I found Christ. He brought peace into my life and we field the way to find purpose by anchoring myself. In him. In this podcast, we'll journey together, exploring the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of him. and cultivate your own personal relationship with Christ. So open up your Bible, put in those ear buds and listen up because God is speaking to you. He is making everything new and you don't want to miss it. Let's get started. Hey there, before we dive in today's episode, I want to take a moment to talk about something really important. When we become Christians, God takes the lead in every decision we make. We step back and let him guide. Because we know he has the ultimate plan. My coaching program, spiritual growth coaching. Isn't just an option. It's essential. Your relationship with God is the foundation of everything, your identity, your purpose, your relationships, your family, your children, your children's children. And so on. And of course in every aspect of your business. Can creation understand a creator's plan. Remember when God asked job. Were you there when the earth was formed? Where are we. It's time to stop relying on our limited understanding and start building our lives on the truth of God's plan. God is mighty. He is. Almighty. And he is the answer to everything we're searching for. So if you are unsure of how to start building a relationship with God, Connect with me for a quick discovery call. Just go to bit dot L Y forward slash curious for Christ discovery to book a free call and start living your life on the unshakeable foundation of God almighty. B I T dot L Y forward slash curious for Christ discovery. Segment one, what is new H. The new age movement is a mix of spiritual ideas and practices that became popular in the 1960s and seventies. They draw also from eastern religions or culture, traditions, and metaphysical beliefs. It focuses on personal enlightenment. By harnessing universal energy. And self-empowerment. And while some practices may seem harmless or even spiritual. The emphasis on self-reliance and tapping into inner power, often conflicts with the biblical call to depend on God. And that's why it's so important to measure these ideas against scripture and ensure that our faith is centered on Christ alone. So what are some common practices? There's astrology, crystals, manifestation techniques, and certain types of meditation. And why does it matter for Christians? Because new age philosophies, subtly shift, focus from God to self or external forces. And so we are being misguided and we don't even realize. In Exodus 20 verse three, it says you shall have no other gods before me. And John 14 verse six says. Jesus answered. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. Segment two. Blurred lines practices that seem harmless. So here are some example of misleading practices. Manifestation and the law of attraction. James four verse two says you do not have, because you do not ask God. So you see how I apply scripture against a practice. There's a difference between trusting God's will and trying to control outcomes ourselves. Another practice, astrology and horoscopes. Well, Leviticus. 19 verse 26 B says, do not practice even nation or seek omens. God is the one who guides our lives, not the stars. The stars are created by God. They are things they do not guide you towards God. Another practice, crystals and energy healing. Psalm 1 21 verse two says my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. So we need to depend on God for healing, not inanimate objects. Visualization techniques. Proverbs 16 verse three says commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. So we need to distinguish here between surrendering plans to God versus personal power visualization. Want to share some insights from my favorite Proverbs of all times, proverbs three says verse. Seven and. Eight, do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. And then in verse five and six trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean, not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight. So many new age practices, encourage leaning on human understanding, but scripture is very clear. It directs us to trust in God fully. Also, I want to share some biblical examples of people unknowingly straying from God, and then realigning with God. In Exodus 32. There's the example of the golden calf. So when Moses was on Mount Sinai, The Israelites were feeling abandoned. And they were impatient. They didn't want to wait for Moses. He was not coming back. So they crafted a golden calf to worship. And they thought. That would symbolize. God's power. They didn't see this as abandoning their face or being impatient and those not trusting in God's timing and God himself. But they thought it would be a way to stay connected to God in Moses's absence. However, this act was idolatry. And it violated God's commands. Moses had specifically explained what they should do. While he was gone. So when he came back, Moses confronted them. Which led them to their repentance and a renewed commitment to God's covenant. So what is the lesson that we can learn from this? Well, it shows how fear or impatience can lead us to adopt practices that seem spiritual, but they dishonor God. And so returning to his word helps us discern and realign. With him. Another example, Simon, the sourcer in acts eight verses nine through 24. Simon was a magician. And he amazed people with his powers. After he believed in Christ, He misunderstood the gift of the holy spirit and he attempted to buy the ability to pass it on. His desire to control God's power for personal gain revealed a shallow faith and Peter, one of the major apostles rebuked him. And Simon asked for prayers to realign his heart. So what is the lesson? Well, just like Simon, we can be drawn to spiritual powers or practices for personal control, but true faith requires surrendering to God's will and relying on his power. So these two examples reminders, of God's grace, first of all, and also the importance of realigning with him when we unknowingly straight. Segment three, how to discern, is it new age or faith based? So biblical discernment is essential in Colossians two verse eight. It says, see. That no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world, rather than on Christ. So key questions to ask here. Does this practice lead me to trust God or myself. Does it encourage humility or personal power? Does it acknowledge Christ as Lord? Or does it point to other sources of wisdom or energy? Here are some tools for staying grounded. Prayer. Bible study and fellowship do help. Anchor Christians in truth and the Bible. Look at Psalm one 19 verse 1 0 5. It says your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Also Proverbs three is great because it reinforces that true wisdom comes from submitting all our ways to God and not relying on self directed pass. Segment four practical steps to align with Christ. So first renounce new age practices. First John one verse nine says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. To seek guidance in faith. Proverbs 27 verse 17 says as iron sharpens iron. So one person sharpens another. Three, join a Bible study group. Or find a local church for support. Four. Alternative approaches in faith. Scripture based meditation. For instance, Psalm one 19 verse 15 says I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. We can also pray for healing in James five, verse 14, it says, is anyone among you? Sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them. And then surrendering goals to God. As Proverbs 16, nine says in their hearts, humans plan, their course. But the Lord. Establishes their steps. As we wrap up. Let's reflect on the key points today. I've explored how certain practices like manifestation or crystals can suddenly pull us away from a Christ centered faith. But God calls us to discernment and his word is a foundation for that guidance. So take the time this week to reflect on Psalm 1 39 verses 23 through 24. Which says, search me God and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. So ask yourself. Are there areas in your life where fear control or distractions are keeping you from fully relying on God. Remember, he is your good shepherd. He's guiding you with love and truth. Also to go deeper. I encourage you to open your Bible. And lean into the spirit by practicing the biblical Sabbath rest. And if you don't know what it is, just head over to episode 59, you can listen to the episode and get some resources there to help you along the way. Also connect with others for support. Aye. Encourage you to join my Facebook community at bit dot L Y forward slash curious for Christ community. For accountability and encouragement. I will close with a prayer for wisdom, discernment, and a heart aligned with Christ. Lord help us discern. What is, have you. And what is not give us strength to renounce what leads us away from you and to cling to your truth. May we always seek your will above all else in Jesus name. I pray. A man until next week, my friends. Hi, and thank you for joining me for our Wednesday Q& A. Clarity is key, so if you have more questions about God, the Bible, faith, or how to apply it to real life situations, please Feel free to email me at hello at alexandraalvarezcoaching. com. It's hello at alexandraalvarezcoaching. com. A L E X A N D R A A L V A R E Z coaching. com. And if you're enjoying the show, I'd really appreciate it. If you could leave a review, that's how I know what's resonating with you. So just go to Curious for Christ on Apple podcast or Spotify, Scroll down and click write a review. Don't forget to follow the show so you're notified when our next Q& A is out. Thanks again and I'll see you next week.