by Del Hungerford
What’s truth and what’s fiction when it comes to “new age thinking?” How do we decipher what’s of man and what’s from God? If there’s truth, how do we find it without walking the tightrope of deception?
If the enemy can only copy, how do I find the original?
As I research the healing aspects of musical frequencies (Healing Frequencies Music), it requires that I look at materials that seem a bit sketchy. Because I operate IN Christ, I step into the center of God’s name (Yahweh) and FROM that position, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. When I sanctify my imagination as I research, there’s no need to fear deception. I also have key questions that make it a bit easier.
- Does the information glorify God or man? New age thinkers often believe there’s some form of intelligence that created the universe. But, they fail to see that we can have relationship with God.
- Does the person/group presenting the information focus on “self” enlightenment as the attainable goal? New age thinking focuses on mankind’s own ability to ascend to higher levels of consciousness.
- Does the information line up with scientific studies? This includes studies in “fringe science.” Some of these materials eventually turn out to be accurate. Einstein and Tesla are two prime examples of research on the fringes of accepted scientific practices in their day. The current process of “peer reviewing” and the need for research funds puts researchers into scientific boxes that often don’t allow for work outside the established norm. Many new age thinkers base their ideas on accurate scientific studies as well as fringe science which can at times end up being truth.
It’s a bit interesting navigating through what some consider new age videos and materials. Eventually, the underlying intent of a given speaker or organization presents itself. Many start out with solid facts, presenting scientific studies to back up claims. It’s the opinions where things tend to go a bit wonky and underlying intentions are revealed.
In two different YouTube videos (of conferences), well respected new age speakers swore and poked fun at others with differing opinions. The “F” bomb seemed to be a favorite. Both speakers proposed that we attain a higher level of consciousness through “self empowerment.” OK, explain to me how swearing and making fun of people brings us to a higher level of consciousness? Hmmm....
As we better ourselves, we have the ability to reach a higher level of consciousness. The problem? Although much of their scientific research was solid, it was the attitude that stunk like a skunk. There's this godly principle that shows "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:4) Their actions in public demonstrated their actual attained level of higher consciousness. Many people would turn off the video at that point. However, this is where we learn to divide the wheat from the chaff. (Matt. 3:12 and Luke 3:17). Take the good and throw out the ugly. Because you're sitting in Christ with a sanctified imagination, there's nothing to fear.
It was at this point when I first started all this research that I used to get out quick, thinking that deception could “get me” if I continued to read/watch. Notice that the underlying tone is fear. The “If I read this, I’ll be deceived!” thought is fear of deception. If we’re fearful of deception, then we don’t know who we are in Christ. It’s that plain and simple. Fear is holds us back from any forward motion. By giving into fear, the enemy wins.
What I’m learning to do before I watch videos or read new age thinking materials is to ascend (go into my heart - the holy of holies of my being) into the presence of Yahweh. I often sit in my heart garden, or possibly a strategy room with a member of the Trinity, and even some in the cloud of witnesses. From my position of being IN HIM, I begin my research. We sit side-by-side going through the materials together. I do everything with a sanctified imagination asking that truth be revealed in the materials.
I’m amazed that researchers quote scriptures. However, they also point out that the same information is in the Koran and other ancient texts. So, they don’t put any special emphasis on the Biblical interpretation. Ultimately, it appears that new age videos/teachings/books focus on how mankind betters ourselves through personal strength and a higher level of consciousness. Notice the goal… it’s all about self. This is a humanistic viewpoint where any ties to our Creator are left out. What’s the key difference between new age thinking and functioning in/through relationship with our Divine Creator? One is self-focused and the other builds relationship with the One who created us. When the focus is on building relationship with God, we learn and then do like a child learns from a father.
Where we often mess up is in our knee-jerk reactions to materials that have partial truths. We want to throw all new age thinking out because of the twisted truths. I was part of a church that allowed people to give prophetic words.
One lady gave a word almost every Sunday. They were mostly accurate, too. However, she did have a habit of throwing some of her own thoughts and opinions into the mix, which caused many to disregard her words.
Most people blew her off because her words came off as judgmental. If God used a donkey (Numbers 22:21-39) to prophecy, he can use a grouchy woman. It’s possible that God wanted someone else to give the prophetic word. Out of fear, they didn’t so the person waiting and willing gave the word. The “gift” of prophecy is a gift. We aren’t required to be perfect to operate in the prophetic. So, imperfect people give words. And, imperfect people reject/receive them.
In church, the congregation rejected the woman’s prophecies. The two swearing speakers I mention at the beginning? People laughed and joked along with them at their crude remarks. What’s the comparison? I believe had the congregation listened to the woman’s prophetic words, despite her own twist on the interpretation, many would have been set free. The two swearing speakers? Their information lines up with Biblical history and even explains things from an informed historical perspective. Just because they poked fun at people, doesn’t mean what they presented wasn’t truth. It’s the same with the judgmental woman who gave prophetic words. Her information was accurate but the delivery was off. We have to get past the “art of offense” in order to move forward in our lives and receive truths that often stare us down until we pay attention.
Going back to my three questions at the beginning… When I watch videos or read materials with new age thoughts, I realize and understand the focus is on self-empowerment. Everything focuses on self and the ability to do everything within our own human strength. It works to a point because there are spiritual laws for such things. But, when those laws are used in our own strength, we can only go so far.
Example time!
The moral of this story is – when we are IN Christ and function IN the center of His name, we are exactly where we’re supposed to be. IN that position, we function through His eyes. Should deception peak around the corner, we recognize it for what it is. Fear isn’t involved because we’re secure in our identity. There’s a lot of truth we miss simply because we’re afraid of being deceived. As our focus stays on God and seeing Him IN situations, teachings, videos, relationships, etc., His ways become our ways. It’s in this position we learn to love people because God isn’t a respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34). If our focus stays on RELATIONSHIP with God, there’s no need to fear anything. Perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4:18) When we’re “in Him,” we are IN love itself. I call this our "in himness." When we’re positioned “in” love, it spreads to those around us. John 13:35 indicates that people will know we’re followers of Christ by our love. As we demonstrate love (through our actions), we can walk into an atmosphere of self-conscious and self-driven people and change that atmosphere with true enlightenment of the “In Him” principle.
What would I like to see? Those who follow the “it’s all about me and what I can do in my own strength” mentality meet and build relationship with the One who created them. Out of that relationship, there’s no stopping what we can do as Sons of God!
Activation!
For this activation, we're going to do a variation of previous exercises. Mix and match them as you desire. If you need some peaceful music, might I suggest you purchase the album Yahweh in the Elements. Choose the song with the name of God that resonates with you on any given day. Then, use the picture below to grab a visual of your seat of rest where you're seated in Christ on the throne of your life. The river flowing into the pool below comes directly from the River of Life. It's full of love for you to infuse into your entire being. Go take a bath in that river and see Perfect Love go into the core of your being - even down to the smallets nanoparticle.
From this position, feel Love moving through your entire blood stream which brings healing to any place in your body that needs it. Imagine that from the throne of your life, Love flows through all your spirit gates, then to the soul gates, and on downward to the body gates. This might be a great activation to do while you physically take a bath or sit in a hot tub. Use these times to engage with your "in himness." Turn inward to your heart - the holy of holies of your physical temple where you engage directly with the godhead. THIS is your place of intimacy where from a position of gratitude, you learn and begin to understand all things of the kingdom.
Ask God to show you the truths from the new age movement that have been twisted for selfish purposes. It's not all about me, it's about me and God TOGETHER! We call this "God and Sons." As a Son, you have the authority to understand ALL things but that can only happen when you turn inward (ascend) to the highest places in your consciousness and entrain (come into agreement with) the very essence of who God is. Build that relationship first! From relationship, then comes knowledge of the deeper things. You're not "going there to get" things. That's not how true relationships work.
Most of all, enjoy the journey!
Del
