Lynda Hickman Supporter Homemaker, plumber, carpenter, all around gearhead

The question about "The Secret" leads me to ask:

Why would a Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ, want to read a book by someone whose published works include, "The Power" & "The Magic"?
Why would any Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ, put such junk into their mind? 

Reading books written by anyone other than a Christian is a very dangerous thing to do. What truths can an unbeliever share with a Christian? None! Christians have enough trash to deal with without purposefully installing it directly into the mind. We need to have our minds stayed on Him, He is our everlasting strength, the rock of ages. (Isaiah 26:2-3)

Paul said in 2 Cor. 10:4-5, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

In her book, "The Magic", Byrne claims to have knowledge that was hidden for two thousand years & shows the readers how to use this "life-changing" knowledge, "completely transforming every part of their life into joy." 

I only read a brief synopsis of her books, but enough to recognize a rewrite of some very dangerous books by "Napoleon Hill" & others, who were spiritists who made contact with "invisible counselors", in other words, demons.

Byrne based all of her ranting (& I do call it ranting) on her "experts". But who are they? Mostly those involved in the "New Thought" movement, including teachers of Feng Shui & metaphysics (spiritism).

Her book "The Secret" begins with a promise that you can "create your own reality with your mind." That sounds just like the enticing words of the serpent to Eve in Gen. 3.

Byrne writes that you can have anything you want, & while she may not say it in so many words, she has eliminated the need for a Creator & a Savior.
Why follow Jesus Christ when you can follow a guru who can teach you how to get anything you want?

I can guarantee you that a life that is lived following the teaching of Byrne or anyone else who would mislead people with the false promises of "spiritual messengers" will not be filled with joy & will end with great woe.

And to those who are being lured by the seductive words & promises of such authors, I would suggest that you dump those books into the nearest incinerator & run back to your Bible.

Remember that "The Secret" can't give you eternal life & anyone who makes promises based on some "secret" has likely been entertaining demons & has ascribed to the "doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Instead of watching Oprah (advocate of Byrne) or reading junk books, spend your spare time meditating on His Word:

1 Cor. 8:6, "Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom are all things, and through Whom we live." NLJV

2 Peter 1:2-4, "Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of GOD & of Jesus Christ our LORD, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life & godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great & precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

2 Timothy 2:15, " Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, & is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of GOD is living & powerful, & sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division soul & spirit, of joints & marrow & is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart.

January 01 2015 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Debra Chiappetta Supporter Retired

Believers in Jesus are called to follow Jesus. We are called by Jesus to abide in Him, and He will abide in us. This means we should follow no one other than Him. We should follow nothing except Him. There is no substitute for the Bible. We can try to follow the Bible but we will always fail and that is why Jesus came to this earth in the first place, because all men have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. We need a Savior, Jesus is the Answer.

December 31 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lara Mirinjian Supporter

I am so happy that someone asked this! I have been struggling with this for the past week.

From what I have gathered from my experience and resources so far, I can say that there can definitely problems if your focus is not wholly on Jesus. What is the goal? What are the means to the goal? If the answers to these questions do not go against God's will or what is written in the Bible, then I think it should be okay. 

Another point: the law of attraction has many facets: some teach that it is God at work when you think the thing you want to attract (in which case this is NOT biblical), and some teach that it is just psychology. 

Sometimes our psychology can get in the way of us accomplishing that which God would want, and in those cases, I believe that these teachings can be modified to fit what God WOULD want for us.

December 31 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report