This blog was originally written by Wanjiru Ng’ang’a and posted on her blog In Truth She Delights. Wanjiru works for ACFAR as their Project Priscilla Co-ordinator.
As self-help methods and philosophies continue gaining ground, many people are striving by all means possible to achieve their dreams and goals. In this same vein of achieving goals and dreams, we meet the popular term ‘manifesting’. This terminology is so commonly used thanks to social media publicity, self-help books, and motivational speakers. In this context, Manifesting refers to how people can bring their desires into reality by focusing on positive thinking, visualization, and affirmations. Proponents of manifesting claim that the universe responds to the energy we emit, whether positive or negative and that by aligning our thoughts and emotions with what we want, we can attract those things into our lives. This practice also takes its cues from the ‘Law of Attraction’. However, despite its appeal and seemingly harmless nature, manifesting is fundamentally at odds with the teachings of the Bible and can lead believers away from their faith.
Why Manifesting Sounds Christian
Interestingly, manifesting often sounds deceptively Christian, which is why it’s so appealing. Some proponents of manifesting even use Bible verses out of context to support their teachings, making it seem as though the practice is compatible with Christianity. For example, they might cite verses like Mark 11:24, where Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” to suggest that manifesting is a form of exercising our faith. However, this interpretation ignores what else the Bible has to say about prayer and our desires, like the importance of aligning them with God’s will (1 John 5:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 139:23-24).
Moreover, manifesting today is strikingly similar to the false teachings of positive confession (the power of the tongue), decreeing and declaring, naming and claiming, and other related practices. These teachings have plagued the church today, largely due to the influence of the Word of Faith/prosperity gospel movements, which trace their roots back to the New Thought movement.
The Spiritual Origins of Manifesting
Having already mentioned that manifesting is unbiblical and spiritually dangerous, it may be necessary to examine its origins to better understand why.
The New Thought movement emerged in the 19th century. It is heavily influenced by Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, among other occult practices. New Thought teaches that the mind has the power to shape reality. This concept resonates with the principles of transcendentalism and the idea of cosmic consciousness found in these religions (Hinduism and Buddhism). The Law of Attraction, central to manifesting, is essentially a repackaging of these ancient pagan beliefs, dressed in modern language to appeal to today’s demographic. The Bible, however, clearly warns against adopting practices from other false religions or engaging in idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:30-31). And since the origins of manifesting are steeped in spiritual deception, engaging in such practices will ultimately lead you astray.
Manifesting and Occult Practices
Another significant issue with manifesting is that it involves practices that border on the occult. For example, visualization, speaking things into existence, and other techniques associated with manifesting resemble witchcraft or sorcery, which the Bible explicitly condemns (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The concept of controlling the universe with our minds or words can lead to a belief in powers that are not from God but are instead from deceptive spirits that may draw us away from the truth (1 Timothy 4:1). By engaging in such practices, believers unwittingly open themselves up to spiritual deception and bondage, which is why it is crucial to avoid any form or appearance of occultism (Ephesians 5:11). However, for the reasons mentioned earlier many believers mistakenly assume that manifesting is biblical when, in fact, it is not, and here is why.
Manifesting Shifts Reliance from God to Self
The Bible teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). When we engage in manifesting, we place our trust in our abilities by believing that we have the power to control our lives without God. Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” This shows the futility of human efforts in trying to control our lives, as God ultimately directs our paths.
As such, manifesting reflects a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty and a prideful assumption that our limited perspective is sufficient to determine what is best for us. James 4:13-15 warns against this mindset, reminding us that our lives are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead of boasting in our plans, we should humbly submit our desires to God’s will, saying, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Manifesting Encourages Self-Centeredness
Manifesting encourages a self-centred approach to life. If we are honest with ourselves, manifesting often focuses on materialistic and worldly desires such as wealth, success, relationships, etc., instead of seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Yet, the Bible warns against loving the world and the things in it. 1 John 2:15-17 in particular, says, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.” Furthermore, a self-centred approach to life contradicts the Christian call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Christ our Lord lived a life of self-sacrifice and submission to the Father’s will. He set an example we should emulate as believers (Philippians 2:5-8).
Manifesting Undermines the Power of Prayer
The practice of manifesting also undermines the importance of prayer in our lives. Prayer is how we communicate with God, align our desires with his will, and seek his guidance (1 John 5:14-15). Manifesting suggests we can bypass God’s will and achieve our desires through our efforts. This attitude contradicts the biblical teaching that we should “…let our requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Moreover, if our desires are fulfilled, manifesting can lead to spiritual pride, where we begin to credit ourselves for our successes and view our failures as a result of insufficient positive thinking. This attitude distorts our understanding of God’s grace and provision and places an undue burden on ourselves to achieve outcomes ultimately in God’s control.
Look to God
In as much as manifesting may appear harmless or even beneficial, as we have seen, it is fundamentally at odds with what the Bible teaches. It promotes self-reliance, materialism, and practices that are condemned in Scripture. As Christians, we are called to trust in God, seek his will, and rely on Him for all our needs. Instead of manifesting our desires, we should focus on deepening our relationship with God and aligning our desires with his (Psalm 37:4).
I hope and pray that this article has also helped you see that we must remain vigilant and discerning to ensure that our beliefs and practices agree with the truth of God’s Word. In a world that constantly encourages practices that are opposed to the gospel, let us, as followers of Christ, commit ourselves to living lives of faith, obedience, and submission to God’s perfect will.
