So here’s the deal—-I’m a neat freak. I love organizing things. One of the things that I love most is bringing organization to a chaotic mess. Oh, the sense of accomplishment! That’s why I have to admit that I was a little more than intrigued when I started seeing the reviews for Netflix’s new show “Tidying Up”. How fun! A show about organizing! As soon as the guys were invested in a football game, I decided to try it out. Only it wasn’t long into the show when my inner radar started going off. I mean I have to admit, the host is adorable! It's easy to like her. The storyline was interesting (young family, cute kids, house that desperately needed attention.). And yet, as I watched it, something just didn't feel right. When the host started “praying” to the house and thanking each item of clothing, I decided it was time to do some research. So to the internet I went. Turns out that Marie Kondo isn’t just pushing organization—-she’s also promoting the Shinto religion. (Marie worked as a Shinto shrine maiden as a teenager, and credits that time with her tendency to treat her things as though they have feelings.). She says that one day she passed out and a mysterious voice “like some god of tidying” gave her the formula that she promotes on the show. Throughout her show she teaches people to practice Animism (the religious belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.) So we won’t be watching that show. Here’s why: We are commanded throughout the Bible to avoid idolatry and worship only the one True God of the Bible.
Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 23:13 says, “Pay close attention to all My instructions. You must not call on the name of any other gods. Do not even speak their names”. Deuteronomy 13:6 goes so far as to say: “If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods' (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), do not yield to them or listen to them.”
Yes, I know these are Old Testament Scriptures—here are some from the New Testament.
1 John 5:21 says “Dear children, keep yourself from idols.” 1 Corinthians 10:7 says, “Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.’”
This is just a sample of the Scriptures telling us to avoid idolatry, false religions, and the occult. One of the big problems in the American church is that we believe Scriptures like this on Sunday and then play around with other religions during the week. This isn’t just idolatry—-it’s spiritual adultery.
Of course, it isn't just this one television show. (If it was, I wouldn't take the time to write the article.) The problem is that there is a surge in false religion and occult practices infiltrating our culture, and ultimately the church. Take for example the rise in the acceptance of yoga. Twenty years ago, it was widely accepted that yoga was a way to practice Hinduism and should be avoided by Christians. However, today is is widely accepted as “exercise” without recognizing it’s danger. Yet, as Pastor John Lindell an Assemblies of God pastor at the Pastor of James River Church in Missouri said:
“To say the positions of yoga are no more than exercise are tantamount to saying water baptism is just aqua aerobics”. He went on to explain exactly why how each yoga pose was created with demonic intent to invite demonic powers. This is actually a great article from a great sermon---if you have any interest in yoga I suggest reading this article first. “Megachurch Pastor Issues Urgent Warning to Christians Who Do Yoga” Because it isn't just exercise. Meditation isn't just a way to relax. Oujii boards aren't just a game and horoscopes aren't harmless. The truth is that whenever we play around with the paranormal, false religions, or the occult we are inviting demonic influences to affect our lives. That is one of the most dangerous things any person can do. I know, because I come from a line of ancestors who thought that playing around with false religions and the occult were no big deal. They openly embraced things like Pow Wow-ing, astrology, horoscopes, and other forms of the occult. Only instead of being innocuous, not only they, but their children and grandchildren suffered the consequences of their choices. As someone has seen the heartache and pain, who has sat through the counseling sessions as my parents and I (and my brother) fought for our freedom, I can assure you that dabbling with false religions, the occult, and the paranormal are NOT worth it. There are other ways to exercise. Other games to play. Other books to read and movies to watch that do not involve false religions and the occult. Of course, there are other ways to clean your home (like just getting rid of all of the things you aren't using without praying to them.) So please, before you jump into the next new thing--or even an old idea—do your research. Find out if there is even a hint of a religion other than Christianity. If there is is, avoid it. It's that simple. Choose to obey 1 John 5:1 and in every way "Keep Yourself from Idols.” Spoken with love, Adessa
