When we study the theories of these spiritual therapies, it should not be difficult to understand that they have no support in the Bible. The theories are totally based on the Eastern view of man and spirituality. They are in conformity with the teachings of the New Age movement and there is no scientific basis for the therapies. Spiritual power is essential to the healing effect.

No Neutral Powers
Many people say that the theories are of less importance, the clue is that people get well. I agree that theoretical questions may be of less importance than caring for people, and many alternative practitioners do really care for their patients. But as a Christian, I believe in the message of the Bible. And as a believer it is important to me whether spiritual things come from God or other sources. I do respect other people's beliefs, but I have to be confident about which spiritual powers I invite to have influence in my life. The Bible tells us to test the spirits, whether they are of God or not (1 John 4.1), because there are no neutral spirits. The apostle Paul warns against mixing Christian faith with heathen spiritual practice: "What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons" (1 Cor 10.19-20). The apostle John writes that "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is the spirit of the Antichrist" (1 John 4.3).

The People of God
God does not want His people to seek the supernatural without Him. The Bible says: "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you" (Deuteronomy 18.10-12). Whether we need guidance, power or healing, God wants us to seek Him. "And when they say to you: 'Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter', should not a people seek their God?" (Isaiah 8.19a).

Mixture of Religions
Within Eastern religions and New Age people combine different religions to get closer to the truth. The intentions may be good, but as a Christian believer I will not seek spiritual truth independent of God and His word. Jesus said: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3.3). We need the Holy Spirit to understand spiritual things. Jesus said that He will guide us "into all truth" (John 16.13). We can learn something from all people, but as Christians we can not run over the message of the Bible. Homeopathy, acupuncture, reflexology and psychic healing is totally based on foreign religions. The combination of these therapies and Christian faith is not more logical than a mixture of Christian faith and Buddhism. To put one's trust in these spiritual therapies is not different from praying to Buddha or Allah for healing. Even if therapists claim they believe in God and use religious language, this does not change the foundation of their therapy.

The Power of Darkness
I do not intend to scare people who have received occult spiritual therapy. But I will not hide the facts about the spiritual nature of these therapies, nevertheless belittle the possible consequences of seeking spiritual power from the wrong sources. I do believe that humans are spiritual beings. I also believe in divine healing. I am convinced that there is a lot more under the heaven than we can perceive, but I also believe what Bible has do say about spiritual darkness. All is not gold that glitters, and everything spiritual is not of God. I believe in Jesus Christ and His power. But His name i not Qi, nor Prana. He wants do dwell in us, but He does not manifest Himself as the Kundalini snake and chakras. He said that "a tree is known by its fruit" (Matthew 12.33). There has been documented serious side effects of chakra meditation. In Sweden one clinic reported nine cases of specific meditation psychosis. Several patients had visions of snakes and dark powers possessing their bodies, followed by intense fear of death. Eight of the nine patients experienced that an evil power wanted to destroy them. Anti psychotic medication had only a limited effect (1). The Bible says that "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1.13-14). If we are influenced by the power of darkness, He can deliver us. We belong to the kingdom of Jesus, and He will give us redemption and forgiveness when we come to Him.

Healing is not Free of Charge
Healing has a price, and Jesus paid that price when he died on the cross. The Bible says: "Surely He has borne our grieves, And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53.4-5). Because Jesus has paid this price, we can get healed by grace. But the devil has come "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10.10). If spirits of darkness give power for healing, they do not give it free of charge.

Do not Lose Heart
Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. We shall not lose heart, even when we have sinned. There is forgiveness for every sin, seeking spiritual power from the wrong sources is no exception. The Bible says: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1.9). We may confess our sins and be cleansed. By the name of Jesus, every bondage to darkness must be broken. The powers of darkness have no right to devastate our lives if we walk in the light and resist evil. "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4.7). We do not need occult therapies if we know Jesus Christ. The gospel is good news about forgiveness, deliverance and fellowship with the God who has said about Himself: "I am the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15.26).

REFERENCES:

1. Specifik metiationspsykos (?) - en analys av nio fall, Bo Gunnar Johnson, Läkartidningen vol 81, nr 37, 1984.

All Scripture references are from the New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.