< the enemy >

I received a link to this video from two friends this morning... very timely. A few days ago, Joe & I were listening to a Christian radio talk show that was discussing this very topic - Oprah & her New Age movement.



Oprah scares me because she is so popular. She in some ways defines what is 'mainstream' for American women. How many women go out and get the next book in her book club? Or buy a couple of her 'Favorite Things'? Or watch her show for marital or parenting advice?? What she is advocating in this new 'movement' is that we are our own god - in books such as "A New Earth" or the online course "A Course in Miracles". It's all focus on 'self'... and being in control of your own 'destiny'. Oprah also made the book "The Secret" a huge phenomenon amongst her viewers. Do you know what "The Secret" is? The author defined it as this -

"[the Secret is]... the law of attraction, which is the principle that "like attracts like." Rhonda calls it "the most powerful law in the universe," and says it is working all the time. "What we do is we attract into our lives the things we want, and that is based on what we're thinking and feeling," Rhonda says. The principle explains that we create our own circumstances by the choices we make in life. And the choices we make are fueled by our thoughts—which means our thoughts are the most powerful things we have here on earth."

Sounds innocent enough, right? But that 'secret' doesn't acknowledge the Creator and Ruler of heaven and earth, or His Son that died on the cross for my sins. The 'secret' falls in line with the thinking that 'we are our own god'... that we are in 'control'. Friends, God is the beginning and end. It is by His mercy and grace that I woke up this morning, and by that same mercy and grace He provides the means for every single one of my needs being met. Everything good thing I have is not of my own doing or by my putting out 'good energy', but a blessing from Him. And any bad thing that has happened or will ever happen to me is a tool for His Glory. He gives me free will to make choices either in accordance to His Will, or against it... but I don't kid myself. HE is GOD and He is omniscient and omnipotent. I am nothing without Him.

• In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9
• A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24
• A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15
• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
  
  
  

The Bible warns that in the end days there will be false teachings... I fully believe that Oprah is fulfilling that role. We live in a hyper-politically correct time... and you'll hear lots of people (fellow Christians, even) saying "well, we all serve the same God" in reference to other religions. Well, if their "god" doesn't include Jesus Christ as the Son of God in the flesh, dying and being crucified for our sins... then he's not the same GOD. John 14:6 says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Sweet friends, I encourage you to really scrutinize what you're allowing into your heart and mind. Guard yourself from these false teachings. I encourage and challenge us to turn off Oprah and tap into a book that will enlighten us on the real secret. It's called the Holy Bible. Within it's pages we can learn about the one true God.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this - agree/disagree/indifferent?