In her recent video, Teresa uncovers the dangers of New Age deception and New Thought beliefs, warning how they conflict with Christian faith.
BY TERESA YANAROS
The Core of New Age Deception
The New Age movement has gained popularity for its focus on personal spiritual experiences, but many of its teachings conflict with core Christian beliefs. In this episode, Teresa addresses the key dangers of these beliefs, showing how they shift focus away from God and toward self-deification.
In this video, part of the Faith Under Fire series, Teresa explains how New Age philosophies promote self-reliance and personal enlightenment. She exposes the core of the New Age deception, emphasizing how it contrasts with the Christian call for humility and dependence on God's grace.
In the video, Teresa points out several core New Age beliefs, such as:
The Law of Attraction and the power of manifestation.
The concept of reincarnation and the soul's spiritual progression over multiple lives.
The idea that God is an impersonal energy rather than a personal, relational being.
The dismissal of core Christian teachings like sin, Satan, and salvation through Christ.
She stresses that these beliefs distort the biblical understanding of humanity’s relationship with God. Christianity teaches that salvation is not something we can achieve through our own efforts but is a gift made possible through Christ’s sacrifice.
New Thought and the Power of the Mind
In addition to New Age, Teresa addresses the New Thought movement, a philosophy that also places undue emphasis on the power of the mind to shape reality. Originating in the 19th century, New Thought promotes the idea that thoughts and affirmations can directly affect physical and emotional outcomes. While this might seem like harmless positive thinking, Teresa explains that it leads to a dangerous sense of self-reliance, shifting focus away from faith in God.
Key elements of New Thought, as Teresa outlines, include:
A belief in a universal, impersonal God.
The notion that thoughts can create reality.
The idea that individuals are divine and can manifest success or prosperity.
Teresa cautions that these beliefs undermine core Christian theology. She reminds us that true healing and transformation come through faith in God, not by attempting to manipulate reality through mental techniques.
Blending New Age and Christianity: A Dangerous Mix
A growing trend, Teresa notes, is the blending of New Age practices with Christianity. Some believers incorporate tools like crystals, tarot cards, or manifestation techniques into their spiritual lives while still identifying as Christian. Teresa warns that this hybrid spirituality, though popular, is spiritually perilous. It pulls believers away from their dependence on Christ and introduces elements of self-idolatry.
She stresses that while these practices may seem harmless, they ultimately deceive people into trusting themselves over God. For Christians, relying on occult practices or New Age ideas is a subtle yet significant New Age deception that can distance them from the truth of the Gospel.
The Deception of Self-Empowerment
Teresa also emphasizes the allure of self-empowerment, a key theme in both New Age and New Thought movements. These ideologies teach that individuals can unlock hidden spiritual abilities, control their destiny, and achieve enlightenment through their own efforts.
However, Teresa explains that this focus on self-improvement contradicts the Christian call to humility. The constant push for self-deification distracts believers from their true spiritual purpose, which is to submit to God's will and rely on His grace.
Read More of the Faith Under Fire Series:
The Antidote to Pride: Humility Before God
In her video, Teresa draws attention to the biblical warning against pride, which she connects to the teachings of New Age and New Thought. Just as Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the promise that they could be like God, these modern movements tempt individuals with the idea of self-deification.
Teresa encourages believers to follow the example of Jesus, who demonstrated perfect humility. Jesus, though divine, became a servant and sacrificed His life for the salvation of others. This humility, she explains, is the antidote to the narcissism and pride promoted by New Age philosophies.
Conclusion: Staying Grounded in the Truth
In conclusion, Teresa urges viewers to be discerning and aware of the New Age deception that infiltrates modern spirituality. While these movements may seem empowering, they ultimately lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel. She emphasizes that true transformation and healing come only through faith in Jesus Christ, not through human effort or spiritual practices that bypass God.
For Christians, Teresa reminds us, the key to staying spiritually grounded is remaining faithful to biblical teachings and resisting the temptation to blend New Age ideas with Christian beliefs. Salvation and transformation, she concludes, are gifts from God, not something we can manifest through our own power.
ABOUT TERESA YANAROS
Teresa Yanaros, a degreed journalist and devout Catholic, is dedicated to exposing occult deceptions and upholding the truth of Christ. Raised Catholic, Teresa's path led her through new age and occult beliefs after straying from the faith in college, which she explored in a book reconciling these beliefs with Catholicism (spoiler: they don’t). After a transformative deliverance experience from occult bondage, she now coaches Christians transitioning from the new age to faith in Jesus and teaches Catholics how to best minister to and reform ex-newagers. Through SpiritSanctified.com, Teresa offers resources on occult bondage, deliverance, and spiritual warfare. Her YouTube channel, with a global reach, provides insights into spiritual warfare and occult traps in media. Teresa has attended seminary classes, continues ongoing research, and conducts workshops to help Catholics understand their personal stories and maximize their impact through online ministries.
ABOUT SPIRIT SANCTIFIED
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