Orthodox, like all Christians, need to be vigilant about avoiding influences from the New Age movement, which promotes practices and beliefs that conflict with biblical teaching. The New Age movement tends to blur the lines between Christianity and pagan or mystical practices, introducing ideas like pantheism (God is everything), channeling spirits, astrology, energy healing, and relativism—all of which contradict the Bible.
Avoid Syncretism and False Teaching
Syncretism—the blending of Christian worship with pagan or false religious practices—is a serious danger that the Bible consistently warns against. The New Age movement promotes exactly this kind of blending, introducing mystical ideas, occult practices, and human-centered spirituality into Christian language and worship.
Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 6:14 directly addresses the incompatibility of true Christian faith with false teachings and practices.
“Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)
The imagery of being “yoked” suggests a close partnership or alignment. When Christians engage in New Age practices like energy healing, astrology, meditation that seeks altered states of consciousness, or communication with evil spirits, they are aligning themselves with spiritual darkness under the guise of enlightenment.
God’s people were repeatedly warned in the Old Testament not to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. Even when these practices were presented as spiritually beneficial or insightful, God made it clear that they were an abomination:
“Take heed to thyself, lest thou be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and lest thou inquire after their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.” (Deuteronomy 12:30)
One of Israel’s downfalls stemmed from blending the worship of the Lord (Yahweh) with pagan practices—setting up high places, consulting mediums, and adopting rituals tied to fertility gods or certain celestial bodies. This is essentially what happens when Christians adopt New Age elements today.
The Lord Jesus Himself warned that false prophets and false teachings would arise, appearing to be good but leading people away from truth.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) New Age teachers wrap their messages in Christian-sounding language—talking about love, light, and spiritual peace—while undermining the core truths of the Bible. For example:
- Saying “Christ consciousness” instead of Jesus as the Son of God.
- Talking about “divine energy” instead of the Holy Spirit.
- Promoting “manifestation” through thought power rather than trust in God’s will.
St. Paul directly addressed the problem of blending Christian faith with human philosophy and mystical practices.
“Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Many New Age practices promote human wisdom—like the idea that we can “tap into the universe” or “align our energy”—instead of relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This is nothing more than modernized idolatry.
Syncretism leads to spiritual confusion and instability. Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal shows how dangerous it is to try to worship God while holding onto false beliefs.
“And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ” (1 Kings 18:21, Byzatine Text)
New Age ideas might seem harmless or appealing—after all, who doesn’t want peace and enlightenment? But if they contradict the teachings of Scripture, they must be rejected. Mixing truth with error only leads to deception.
Reject Divination and Spiritism
The Bible is crystal clear about the dangers of divination, fortune-telling, and seeking guidance from spirits. These practices are outright condemned as detestable to God. The New Age movement promotes these very things under the guise of spiritual enlightenment, self-discovery, and personal empowerment.
Divination and spiritism are spiritually dangerous because they bypass God’s authority and open the door to demonic influence. Seeking hidden knowledge through astrology, tarot cards, psychics, or spirit guides is a form of rebellion against God’s sovereignty, attempting to gain control over the future rather than trusting Him.
God’s instructions to Israel were direct and non-negotiable:
“There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiseth augury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.” (Deuteronomy 18:10–11)
This list of forbidden practices covers almost every form of New Age spiritual activity:
- Divination – Seeking hidden knowledge through supernatural means (like tarot, crystal balls, or pendulums).
- Augury – Interpreting omens or signs to predict the future.
- Enchanting and Sorcery – Using spells or rituals to manipulate events or people.
- Consulting with familiar spirits – Channeling or communicating with evil spirits (spirit guides, séances).
- Necromancy – Attempting to contact the dead for guidance or insight.
These practices are not just spiritually dangerous—they are offensive to our God because they demonstrate a lack of trust in Him and a reliance on dark, deceptive forces.
God doesn’t treat these practices as harmless curiosity or misguided spirituality—they are called an abomination.
“For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah: and because of these abominations Jehovah thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” (Deuteronomy 18:12, Byzatine Text) The severity of this warning is clear. The nations that practiced divination and spiritism were under God’s judgment. Their practices were not neutral—they were spiritually corrupting and demonic.
The Bible reveals that supernatural power associated with divination and spiritism comes from demonic sources, not from God. An example of this can be found in the Acts of the Apostles, where Paul encounters a girl possessed by a spirit of divination. “And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. The same following after Paul and us, cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.” (Acts 16:16–18) This girl was telling the truth about Paul and his companions, but her insight came from a demonic source. Paul did not accept this form of truth-telling because it was tied to an evil spirit. The spirit’s goal was to confuse and distort God’s truth while appearing to affirm it.
New Age practices appeal to the human desire for knowledge and control. The temptation to know the future or receive guidance from unseen forces is strong—but the Bible warns that this leads to deception: “And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
New Age practices present themselves as “light” or “positive energy.” Psychics, mediums, “light workers” and spirit guides claim to offer help, healing, and insight—but their source is dark. The enemy’s strategy is to mix truth with deception, making it appear attractive while leading people away from God.
One of the clearest examples of the danger of consulting spirits is King Saul’s visit to the witch of Endor. When God refused to answer Saul because of his disobedience, he turned to a medium—a direct violation of God’s law. “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.” (1 Samuel 28:7) Saul’s desperation led him to seek answers through a forbidden channel, and it ultimately led to his downfall. Seeking spiritual insight apart from God always leads to judgment and destruction.
God allowed false spiritual experiences as a test of Israel’s faithfulness. “If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or unto that dreamer of dreams: for Jehovah your God proveth you, to know whether ye love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 13:1–3, BT)
Even if a spiritual practice “works” or produces accurate insight, if it contradicts God’s commands, it must be rejected. Spiritual experiences and mystical insights are not reliable tests of truth—God’s Word is.
Stand Firm in Christ Alone
The New Age movement promotes the idea that truth is subjective and that spiritual enlightenment can come through a variety of paths—meditation, self-discovery, energy alignment, and mystical experiences. This “all paths lead to God” mentality directly contradicts the Bible, which teaches that salvation and spiritual truth are found only in Jesus Christ. The New Age view reduces Jesus to just another spiritual teacher. But Jesus made an exclusive claim about His role in salvation: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Christ teaching leaves no room for alternative paths to God. Jesus does not present Himself as a way or one of many truths—He declares Himself as the way and the truth. Any attempt to reach God outside of Him is futile and ultimately leads to spiritual deception.
The idea that multiple spiritual paths could coexist with faith in Christ is not new. The early church dealt with similar issues, as some tried to merge Greek philosophy and pagan mystery religions with Christianity. Paul addressed this head-on. “For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) There is no other legitimate way to God—no guru, mystic, or spiritual technique can replace the role of Christ as the One mediator between God and humanity. New Age practices that attempt to bypass Christ or combine Him with other spiritual figures are false and dangerous.
Jesus made it clear that following Him is not the easy or popular path. “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14) The New Age movement promotes the idea that spirituality is broad and accommodating, embracing diverse paths and truths. But Jesus taught that the true path to life is narrow—and that few will find it. The idea that “all roads lead to heaven” is not just wrong—it’s spiritually deadly.
St. Peter reinforced the exclusive nature of salvation through Christ when speaking to the Jewish leaders. “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) This completely eliminates any possibility of finding salvation through New Age practices, other religions, or human enlightenment. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone—by His atoning death and resurrection.
Paul warned that even if someone presented a message that sounded spiritual but deviated from the gospel of Christ, it should be rejected. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.” (Galatians 1:8) Sometimes New Age spirituality borrows Christian language—talking about “Christ consciousness,” “divine energy,” or “higher vibrations”—but it presents a different gospel, one that denies Christ’s role as the only Savior. Mixing truth with error produces spiritual poison.
The New Age movement promotes the idea that truth is relative—that each person can discover their own path to spiritual fulfillment. This directly contradicts Jesus’ declaration that truth is absolute and is found only in Him. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Attempts to discover truth apart from Christ lead to bondage, not freedom.
New Age teachings claim that spiritual enlightenment involves overcoming “negative energy” or “dark forces” through meditation, rituals, or personal willpower. The Bible teaches that Jesus has already triumphed over all spiritual powers through His death and resurrection. “Having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15) Seeking power or enlightenment through New Age practices is not only unnecessary—it is spiritually dangerous. Jesus’ victory over the spiritual realm is complete, and relying on anything else is a rejection of that victory.
The Apostle Paul made it clear that Christ is the only true foundation for life and salvation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) New Age groups promise enlightenment, peace, and fulfillment through mystical experiences and spiritual techniques. But these are counterfeit foundations that will eventually collapse under the weight of spiritual reality. Christ is the only foundation that endures.
A growing trend within the New Age movement (and even some progressive churches) is the idea of the “Universal Christ”—the belief that Christ is not a person but a spiritual force present in all people and creation. This contradicts the Bible’s teaching that Jesus is the unique Son of God and the only means of salvation. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
Christ is not a cosmic force—He is a person, fully God and fully man, the only source of salvation and truth. Any teaching that presents Jesus as merely one aspect of a broader spiritual reality is a direct denial of the gospel.
Test the Spirits
The New Age movement thrives on spiritual experiences—visions, feelings of inner peace, mystical encounters, and supposed revelations. Many people are drawn into New Age practices because they seem to produce positive emotional or spiritual sensations. However, not all spiritual experiences are from God. The Bible warns that there are deceptive spirits at work in the world, and these spirits can masquerade as sources of light and truth. For example, John’s warning to the early church applies directly to the New Age mindset. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
This command is clear: spiritual experiences must be tested. Just because something feels spiritual, peaceful, or powerful does not mean it comes from God. Many false teachers and deceptive spirits work through emotional manipulation and counterfeit miracles to mislead people.
The Bible makes it plain that spiritual forces are not always working for good. Satan himself operates through deception. “And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) The New Age movement often speaks of “spiritual light,” “higher consciousness,” and “awakening.” But this so-called light can be a disguise for demonic influence. Satan’s goal is to mislead people into thinking they are following truth while actually leading them into darkness.
New Age practices like energy healing, spirit guides, and astral projection often feel significantly real and enlightening, but they are rooted in demonic deception. The fact that they “work” or seem to produce peace or insight does not validate them. The enemy will use counterfeit experiences to lure people away from the true source of peace—Jesus Christ.
The standard for testing spirits is not how an experience feels but whether it aligns with Scripture. Isaiah reminds us that truth must be measured by God’s Word. “To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.” (Isaiah 8:20)
The New Age often promotes spiritual truths that directly contradict Scripture: It teaches that humans are divine—Scripture teaches that only God is divine (Isaiah 45:5). It teaches that truth is subjective—Scripture teaches that truth is absolute and found in Christ alone (John 14:6). It teaches that salvation is through self-realization—Scripture teaches that salvation is through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). It promotes connecting with spiritual guides—Scripture teaches that such guides are demonic (Deuteronomy 18:10–12).
If any spiritual teaching or experience contradicts the Bible, it must be rejected—no matter how peaceful or powerful it feels. John connects the idea of testing spirits with the rise of false prophets and teachers. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.” (1 John 4:2–3)
Many New Age teachers speak positively about Jesus—but not as the Son of God who came in the flesh to save humanity from sin. Instead, they present Him as a spiritual guide, an enlightened teacher, a guru, or a manifestation of divine consciousness. This is the spirit of antichrist—an intentional distortion of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not just one of many spiritual masters—He is the incarnate Son of God, the only Savior. Any spirit or teacher that denies this truth is not from God.
The Holy Spirit leads believers into truth and glorifies Christ—not self-awareness, personal enlightenment, or mystical power. Jesus described the work of the Spirit clearly. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.” (John 16:13–14)
The Holy Spirit:
- Glorifies Christ, not self.
- Reveals truth consistent with Scripture.
- Convicts of sin and righteousness (John 16:8).
- Produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
If a spiritual experience or teaching promotes self-glorification, self-enlightenment, or empowerment apart from Christ—it is not from the Holy Spirit.
The Bible warns that false prophets and demonic spirits can produce real signs and wonders to deceive people. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) Sometimes New Age practices involve supernatural phenomena—psychic abilities, healing, visions, and out-of-body experiences. But the ability to perform supernatural acts does not validate spiritual truth. Even Pharaoh’s magicians replicated some of the miracles that Moses performed (Exodus 7:10–12). The source of power matters.
Cling to Sound Doctrine
New Age teachings are dangerous because sometimes they appear to complement Christian faith while subtly distorting it. Many New Age ideas borrow Christian terminology—love, light, peace, and even Christ—but they redefine these terms in ways that contradict the Holy Scriptures. This blending of Christian truth with mystical, human-centered wisdom creates a false gospel that leads people away from the truth of Christ.
Paul’s warning to the Colossians directly addresses this danger. “Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) The apostle is warning against being taken captive—literally being carried off as plunder—by hollow and deceptive philosophies rooted in human tradition and worldly principles. New Age teachings, with their focus on self-discovery, mystical practices, and spiritual enlightenment apart from Christ, are exactly the type of false wisdom that Paul condemns.
New Age philosophy is steeped in subjective truth, human experience, and mystical ideas. It promotes the idea that truth is personal and that spiritual growth comes through self-awareness and connection to “higher consciousness.” However, Scripture makes it clear that human wisdom is fundamentally flawed. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3:19)
The wisdom of the New Age movement is not true wisdom—it is a counterfeit rooted in human pride and demonic deception. The idea that human beings can discover divine truth through meditation, channeling, or energy alignment is exactly the kind of false philosophy that Paul warns against.
Many New Age practices—like yoga, energy healing, and manifestation—are rooted in ancient pagan traditions and Eastern mysticism. The idea that humans have divine energy or that aligning one’s energy with the universe will bring enlightenment stems from various non-Biblical teachings. Paul warns against following human traditions rather than the teachings of Christ. “Making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.” (Mark 7:13)
New Age practices present themselves as spiritual and enlightened, but they are ultimately human traditions dressed up in mystical language. Any spiritual path that is rooted in human wisdom rather than God’s revelation is spiritually bankrupt.
The phrase “rudiments of the world” (Colossians 2:8) refers to spiritual forces and elementary principles that govern human existence apart from God. Many New Age practices—astrology, energy work, and spirit channeling—are directly connected to these spiritual forces. Paul is warning that these forces are not neutral—they are demonic. Paul makes this point even clearer later in the same letter. “Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Colossians 2:18)
New Age spirituality frequently involves connecting with spirit guides, “higher beings,” or angels for guidance and insight. This type of contact opens the door to demonic influence. What seems like spiritual enlightenment or supernatural guidance is often a form of demonic manipulation designed to lead people away from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The New Age movement promotes the idea that truth is found within oneself—that each person is a part of the divine. The Bible stands in direct opposition to this idea. Truth is not discovered within—it is revealed by God through Christ. Paul reinforces this truth just a few verses later. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:9–10)
All spiritual fullness is found in Christ alone—not in human wisdom, spiritual techniques, or mystical experiences. Seeking spiritual fulfillment outside of Christ is idolatry.
Paul gives Timothy similar advice about how to cling to sound doctrine. “But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14–15) Timothy was grounded in the Scriptures from an early age, and Paul reminds him that true wisdom comes from God’s Word—not from human ideas or mystical practices.
New Age teachings appeal to people who feel like the Bible is not enough—that they need deeper spiritual insight or hidden knowledge to grow. But the the Scriptures are complete and sufficient for all spiritual truth and guidance. “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
If God’s Word is sufficient to make a believer “complete” and equipped for “every good work,” then there is no need to seek additional wisdom from New Age or occult practices. Any teaching that promotes hidden knowledge or spiritual techniques to deepen one’s connection to God is a deception.
Conclusion
To avoid the influence of the New Age movement, we must stay grounded in the Scriptures as the ultimate source of truth (Psalm 119:105). Every teaching and spiritual experience should be tested against God’s Word—if it contradicts the revealed Word of God, it is false (Isaiah 8:20). Spiritual wisdom comes from God’s revelation, not human insight or mystical practices (1 Corinthians 2:12–13). Blending Christianity with New Age practices like energy healing and spirit guides is dangerous and incompatible with biblical faith (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Emotional or mystical experiences must always align with the Bible (1 John 4:1). Ultimately, true wisdom and spiritual fullness are found only in Christ (Colossians 2:9–10).
(Cowritten by Bro. Jacob A. and Fr. Jonathan)
