The RICHES OF
GRACE
Òhath appeared to all men.Ó Titus 2:11
Robert
W. Reed
October
2017
+ Yoga is in
total opposition to Biblical Christianity +
ÒBeware
lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.Ó Colossians 2:8
Yoga is not only trendy in America
but is very popular throughout the world. About ten percent of Americans are
now practicing yoga (over thirty million). It is also a thirty billion dollar a
year industry in America. It is the
fastest growing cult in the world today. Yoga is in every part of life
(schools, businesses, YMCAÕs, sports, and even in many churches). As
Christians, our authority is Scripture alone. We must compare the practice of
yoga with what God has said in His Holy Word. There is no such thing as
Christian yoga. In fact, yoga is in total opposition to Biblical Christianity.
ÒBecause
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,ÉÓ
Romans 1:21-22
ÒWho
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature
more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.Ó Romans 1:25
This
article is a brief overview of a sermon I preached on yoga. The sermon has more
detail and has many quotes from different sources. If you are interested you
may contact us at the address listed at the end of this article.
THE MEANING OF YOGA
The word yoga means union or to yoke, and
refers to the union of oneself with the divine (the human spirit with the
universe). The design is to yoke or bind your inner divinity with universal
divinity, that is, the object with the subject, the worshipper with god
(Brahma). It means to yoke or bind with the god's of Hinduism as it is
practiced in the Hindu religion.
Yoga is much more than
physical exercise for health, or a mental technique to promote relaxation, or
coping with stress and anxiety. It is an ancient spiritual discipline rooted in
paganism. Its purpose is to awaken the divine within us, to dissolve the
distinction between creator
and creation. It is an old path to spiritual growth and union and to achieve
your god status. Yoga is meant to shape life and connect us with the inner
life. According to yogis, gurus, and masters, this is what yoga is all about.
The physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditations were initially
developed for spiritual and religious reasons. I have read hundreds of quotes from the
experts on yoga and they agree that the practice is of a religious nature.
Yoga has led many away from
Biblical Christianity and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In America, the 1960s
led to a rapid increase of our drug culture with that generation.
Experimentation with psychedelic drugs, music, mysticism, and eastern religions
was the catalyst for an expansion of the conscience. Please look at the lyrics
written by George Harrison of the Beatles, "My Sweet Lord." Every
yoga teacher is a Hindu or Buddhist missionary, even though they may wear a
cross and speak of Jesus. Again, ask the experts and consider the eight basic
forms of yoga to see the wickedness associated with this practice.
THE DANGER OF YOGA
Yoga is a false religion rooted in
eastern religion and mysticism. According to Deuteronomy 12:1-4, we are not to
borrow a practice from an occult religion (paganism). In Exodus 20:1-4,
idolatry is a violation of God's commandments in His Holy Scripture.
Yoga appears in much of the sacred
literature of India. It is in the Bhagavad Gita, a classic Hindu text written
possibly in the fifth century B.C. In chapter six, Krishna declares, "Thus
Joy supreme comes to the yogi...who is one Brahman, with god" (quote). The
origin of yoga is shrouded in mystery and mythology of eastern mysticism with
many variations, yet is contrary to the truth of God's Word. Any form of pagan
practice is to be rejected by the Christian (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). According to
Romans 1:18-25, it is an abomination to place creation equally with the
Creator, and this is what yoga does. Yoga has its connection with Hinduism and
Hinduism has about three hundred and thirty gods. The Bible teaches us that we
serve one God who is Creator of all things and Redeemer of lost sinners.
THE CHRISTIAN AND YOGA
There
is no such thing as Christian yoga; it did not originate in the church; there
is no place for yoga in the Christian's life and should never be brought into
it. Yoga is satanic worship and diametrically opposed to Christianity. Yoga and
Christianity have a very different concept of God (I Timothy 3:16), man (Romans
3:10) and salvation (John 1:29).
The
yoga philosophy cannot be separated from yoga practices, for it is connected to
eastern religions. In yoga, meditation is to empty the mind, but in
Christianity, meditation is to fill the mind with God's Word (Joshua 1:8,
Psalm 1:2, 119:15,23,48,78,97,99,148; 143:5, and I Timothy 4:15). Our
thoughts are to be centered around the truth of
Scripture and not the stupidity of trying to reach a higher form of
consciousness to discover the inner secret of divinity. The Bible shows that
man is a sinner and the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ (John
14:6; Acts 4:12).
Another
issue with yoga is modesty. There is nothing modest about yoga pants on men or
women, especially women. According to I Timothy 2:8-11, modesty is
important to the Christian, and there is a lot of revealing flesh in most yoga
settings. Yoga pants are so tight that they are equivalent to wearing
pantyhose. In Romans 12:1-2, we are to present our bodies as a living
sacrifice. Men are stimulated sexually by looking upon the form of a woman's
body, and women know this (Matthew 5:28).
CONCLUSION
According to Matthew 11:28-30, if we yoke up or bind ourselves
with Jesus Christ we will have rest for our souls, "Come unto me, all
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We do
not need yoga to find happiness and health, it is found only in Messiah. God
alone gives us comfort, joy, peace, and soundness of mind. The Christian knows
they have eternal life, which is not concerned about karma or reincarnation,
wondering whether or not they will come back as cow, monkey, or a potato plant.
We have a hope in Heaven based on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Let us
rejoice in this and find the peace of God and eternal life found only in the
Lord Jesus Christ.
ÒAnd this is the record, that God
hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the
Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things
have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may
know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son
of God.Ó I John 5:11-13
"Every
pose in yoga is a position to a Hindu Deity. Hinduism is based on pantheism,
which believes everything is a god, and everybody is a god including yourself
and yoga helps attain this oneness with other gods (demons) and brings you with
the self-awareness that you are a god." - Quote is taken from a Christian Author
ÒYoga was especially designed as a way
to escape the constant and never ending deaths and rebirths of
reincarnation.Ó - By Swan: Sivanada, (Yogi)
October 2017
Victory Baptist
Church
Pastor Robert W. Reed
14473 Bellingrath Road
P.O. Box 257
Coden, AL 36523