CHRISTIANS AND HYPNOTISM

MEMORY VERSE: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

What is hypnotism? Is it dangerous? Should a Christian under go hypnosis? What does the bible say about hypnotism? These are some questions Christians, all over the world , ask from time to time. Hypnotism is a form of therapy in psychology and psychiatry. There are instances where hypnotism has been used as an alternative to anaesthesia in medicine and dentistry. Hypnosis is a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination. During hypnosis, one is fully conscious but tuned out of most of the stimuli around. The subject (the person being hypnotized) approaches the suggestion of the hypnotist, or his own ideas as if they were reality. During hypnosis, one is highly suggestible. If the hypnotist suggest that the subject’s tongue has swollen up to twice its size, the subject will feel a sensation in his mouth and may even have trouble talking.

We have taken time to explain what really happens during hypnosis so that you will appreciate the dangers involved. Hypnotism places the soul in a passively receptive state thereby opening the door to morbid spiritual influences that may bring oppression that last for years, until the person is delivered through prayer and exorcism. There have been several instances where the enemy has taken over people’s mind during hypnosis. For example, an eleven year old girl, some years back, came out of hypnosis a changed person. She started acting strangely and this continued for several years. At a point, she was involved in a car theft. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Hypnotism is a no-go area for Christians because: 1) It involves the transfer of control away from ourselves to another person which is contrary to biblical teaching. As we follow the Spirit’s lead, He will give us the power to better control our own selves (Galatians 5:22-23). 2) During hypnosis the subject yields himself - body, soul, and spirit – to the hypnotist. We are to yield ourselves – body, soul, and spirit – to God not man (Romans 6:11-13). 3) Hypnotism is often promoted as a simple way of refocusing oneself and finding the answer within us. As a Christian, our focus is to our Savior, Jesus, not on ourselves or anything else (Hebrews 12:2). 4) Many of the techniques used in hypnosis are shared by mystical, philosophical, and religious systems, including the occult.

In one sense, everything we have been talking about - mind reading, astrology, fortune telling, Spiritism ,etc - are all forms of sorcery, for we may define sorcery as the effort to gain power and control in the ‘spiritual’ world as to get information, influence other people, get wealth and power, or other material advantages. The purpose of the believer is to get to know and love God. Fortunately for us, God desires to bless us in every way, and therefore we find, as we get to know Him that He wants us to ask and claim good things for ourselves and others. He delights to give them, as we believe for them, but He Himself is always the greatest Good and the greatest Gift.

NOTE: These occultic beliefs carry with them demonic power; if you have ever been involved in any of them, renounce them in the Name of Jesus. Ask God to forgive you. Claim the protection of the Blood of Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill every area where any false beliefs have been. There are instances where people with psychic and occult abilities try to bring these abilities to God to be used for Him. Although this is desirable, God does not need Satan’s second hand goods! If you have such ‘powers’, you must get rid of them, and let God give you His gifts.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world