With all this interest in The Secret and Rhonda Byrne's heresy that we are gods, a timely reminder from a classic Christian author is in order:"The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, 'I am my own god.' This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis - my claim to my right to myself." ~ Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest (Entry for October 5 - written between 1911 & 1915!)Self-realization is not a new thing, nor necessarily a bad thing. But Chambers took note of it's dangers nearly 100 years ago. Without God, the self becomes the arbiter of good and evil. This was the sin of the garden. And the same devil tempts us today with the same proposition: "You shall be like God." This is a fundamental flaw in the teaching of the Secret and those who advocate it's doctrines.
And note that we are not talking about whether the teachers of the Secret are moral or immoral. I am sure that many who profess to follow universal principles like the Law of Attraction are quite nice and giving people. That is not the issue. The issue is idolatry. Ultimately, the Secret is about claiming my right to myself.
If ever we travel within to find ourselves, rest assured, it will be a very short trip.
7 comments:
I just found your blog Lyn. This quote from OC really got me.
Great blog - God bless.
I like your post. I've often said the greatest "anti-god" is self. Or to put it another way, the idol to be feared the most is not money or fame, but to believe that the world revolves around us. Sadly, my dad gave me MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, but not being one for non-fiction I haven't read it. Let's see if we can get some of these truths into fiction so that people like myself will find it sooner.
Jakibe and David,
Thanks for your comments and for stopping by. Glad the quote had an impact. As for truth in fiction, I'm with you! I started MUFHH like 10 years ago! lol. I can only take Chambers in small doses. Have you read Sheldon's In His Steps? Or another, Harold Wright's Shepherd of the Hills? Old old volumes, fiction, but full of good truths. lgp
The best philosophy I've ever read is:
Give God Your Best
He'll Lead you to his best for your life.
Whoever you give your 'best' to, be it school, work, church or more likely yourself is your God.
When you try and imagine what you want and conjure it up, it actually shortchanges God who can do MORE than we can ask or think (conjure up) according to his power that is at work within us.
That's the key: Give God your best, his power will flow through you.
Big Daddy
Thanks Big Daddy...good word. I usually delete anonymous posts, but since this one was positive, I'll let it stand! :-) lol Have a great week. lgp
Dear Oswald Chambers,
But the Secret talks about The Universe. Dont you think the Universe they are referring to God?
I think so.. it's like me praying to God asking Him for what I want. And believing He will deliver..
Pls enlighten me.
Thanks for this reminder from a great writer, Oswald Chambers.
I'm going through these powerful devotionals each day and yes, they continue to be powerful no matter how often I read them.
Pat
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