Separating The Wheat From The Chaff: Spiritual Truths vs. Spiritual Falsities

The belief that Jesus was only a man, or perhaps only an archetypal figure, and not God in the flesh is rampant in the alternative spiritual sector.

If one is a Christian, it is important to recognize that this view is contrary to faith in Jesus Christ, even if the material comes from a well-meaning place. Why I say this is because, otherwise, conflicting information about Jesus can introduce double-mindedness, confusion, or even acceptance of these views. One doesn’t have to completely avoid non-Christian spiritual material, but they have to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff.

If one is unable to practice adequate discernment, then it is okay not to investigate those ideas or not at this time, too. In the past, I believed I needed to understand everything, but now I see that if I have the essentials down about God, Jesus, and spiritual life, this is more important than understanding all the obscure spiritual information that one person cannot grasp in one lifetime anyway.

There are certain spiritual practices Christians should avoid as well. Among these is worship of any being besides the Lord, including Mother Mary, angels, saints, ancestors, and spirit guides. It is okay to ask the Lord to send angels to help you or others, but take care not to pray to angels as though they are your God.

Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Revelation 22:8-9, NKJV

Many traditionalists would argue that there is no need to sort out alternative spiritual truths and falsities from each other. Their argument is, “You shouldn’t accept any of it because it’s all ‘New Age.’”

I understand where this sentiment comes from as there are some things that can be very dangerous and it is important to exercise caution. Even Swedenborg, who recognized the validity in other spiritual paths (as a measure of divine providence) and mistakenly labeled as “New Age” due to his unorthodox views, was vehemently against magic and sorcery. Nor am I saying Christians should adopt pagan or heretical ideologies and practices.

However, oversimplification about any spiritual ideas that fall outside of traditional Christianity is a problem because it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I believe part of the reason Christians are discouraged to seek truth outside of traditional dogma is because they are more easily controlled this way. On the contrary, if they are freethinking and critically minded, and empower themselves with spiritual ideas that are true, they are less controllable.

In everything, whether it is Christianity or alternative spirituality, it is important to be able to have impartiality in order to discern what is true. Impartiality is not what one wants to be true but is true by God’s standards. This is not always easy to know if Scripture does not explicitly outline it, but the more sincere and humble we are, the Lord can reveal these mysteries to us.

This post is part of a larger article, which you can read in full here.