Let’s talk about is manifestation a sin? As you go through this post I do not want you to get caught up in the word “manifestation.” But rather let’s look at what manifestation really is and then let’s compare it to what the Bible says.
You may have seen some online ads promising to show you how to “get anything you want.” The promise sounds unbelievable and arguing at the same time.
How can someone teach me how not only to get something I want, but anything I want? Most of these promises are founded in the teaching of manifestation.
What Is Manifestation?
Manifestation refers to one’s ability to use their thoughts and beliefs to attract the positive results in their lives that they want. The idea is that whatever you focus on, you can manifest or bring into your physical reality.
Is Manifestation a Sin?
Now, if you are one of those people doing spells and sacrificing small animals to manifest, then yeah that is a sin. But that is not what I am talking about when I say manifestation. I am going to show you what to manifest really is and then we can talk about is manifestation a sin.
Manifestation raises the question of how should Christians be using our thoughts? Should we be using our thoughts for the sole purpose to attract what we want?
What does the Bible say about manifestation?
Well, 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us:
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
(2 Corinthians 10:5 CBS)
2 Corinthians 10:5 doesn’t tell us to use our thoughts to get whatever we want, but to build our thoughts in obedient to Christ. God expects us to use our minds to glorify Him. Mark 12:30 put it this way:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
(Mark 12:30 CBS)
Our purpose here on earth as Christians is to love God with all our hearts. Everything that God has assigned to us, even our thoughts and imaginations, were given to us so that we would use our mind for his glory alone.
Now you may be wondering, how does manifestation stop me from loving God the way he’s called me to? God has called us to show forth our love through our faith and trust in him.
When you manifest to attract whatever you want, you I can easily take God out of the equation. I don’t need God when I can use my mind to control my destiny. And that is where we cross a dangerous part in our faith in God. because the truth is we can’t do anything outside God.
Now, most Christians know that we need God in our lifes; that’s why we’re Christians in the first place. But with any kind of secular philosophy, there is the temptation to try to unify the two. So we’ll move from I’m not going to manifest what I want to I’m going to manifest what God wants for me.
Still, another issue emanates with that thought. Am I then using my thoughts to manipulate God to give me what I want? Because in that scenario, the power is still given to the thoughts. Our thoughts are still idols that we serve to get what we want, or what we think God wants for us. As Christians, we must always not forget that our thoughts are not our source. God is.
Is Manifestation a Sin in Christianity?
Christians don’t need to manifest; we need to pray. So let me explain the difference:
1. Manifestation is using my thoughts to attract my desired outcome.
2. Prayer is accessing the power of God to see His manifestation in my life.
3. Manifestation requires trust in myself. Can I think positively enough to produce a positive outcome in my life?
4. Prayer requires trust in God and surrender to His will. Do I trust that God loves me and has my best interest in mind so I can surrender my life and will to Him? The main problem that we have here is we don’t trust God. We think our ways are better than His ways, and so the idea of manifesting becomes very attractive because I can control my thoughts, but I can not control God. And when you don’t truly know God, that’s scary. Why would I allow this God that I don’t trust to lead my life? So it becomes easier to lead and control my life myself, with my thinking.
The thing is this. Our thoughts have the capacity to impact the curse of our lives, which is why Philippians 4:8 gives a lengthy list of the things believers should be thinking about.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
(Philippians 4:8)
Still, we must remember that our thoughts, as powerful as they are, will never surpass the will of God. And praise God for that because Lord knows my thoughts did not get me to where I am today. God did. My thoughts are not more powerful than God. Isaiah 55:9 tells us:
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:9 CBS)
Is manifesting things a sin?
If I confine my density to my own thinking, I limit what God can do in my life. I can’t out-think God. I don’t receive God’s best for my life by thinking about the blessing, but by seeking the One through whom all good things come.
“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
(James 1:17 CBS)
I’m not saying that God doesn’t want you to have that house, or car, or spouse, but He certainly doesn’t want you to idolize them. We are not called to seek out the blessing, we’re called to seek the Kingdom and it is then the Bible tells us those things God knows we need will be added unto us.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(Matthew 6:33 CBS)
I think of King David who was very wealthy. Yet over and over again in the Psalm, He talks about meditating on God’s truth, thinking on God’s Word, and seeking God alone. Listen to what he wrote in Psalm 73: 25-26). He says:
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” (Psalms 73:25 CBS)
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”(Psalms 73:26 CBS)
David wasn’t focused on his palace, although He had one. He wasn’t focused on his riches, although he had plenty. He wasn’t even focused on his power. He was focused on God because he knew there was nothing in this world greater than his God.
When we focus our thinking to only receive the things of this world, we limit ourselves from receiving the best from our God. See what the Bible tells us in:
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (Ephesians 3:20 CBS)
Is Manifestation a sin in the Bible?
The Bible tells us that we don’t have the capacity to even begin to think or imagine what God has for us. Let’s not limit ourselves to manifesting what we want, but we should put our faith in God alone. He is ever faithful to give us everything we need and more abundantly above all that we ever ask, think or can imagine.
Now I’d love to hear from you, Beloved! Have you ever heard of manifestation, or is this your first time hearing about it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
