EFT and the 'Law of Attraction'

What or who you choose to believe is important, and part of that is going to be reflected in where you put your focus, or attention. And what you focus on does have an effect on your life experience. On my journey to embracing Christianity a few years ago, I explored some other theologies, mostly what would fall under the 'new age' heading. Some of what they talk about is the 'law of attraction'. In fact, that was recently the topic of an Oprah show (Feb. 2007), here in the U.S.A. Oprah's show was about a DVD and book called 'The Secret', which I haven't seen, but I'd heard of it. From what I can gather, a good deal of that is based on the teachings of some channeled teachings by some entities that collectively call themselves 'Abraham'. I am familiar with the Abraham teachings, so what I'm about to write is based on what I know of their teachings, as well as possibly some from Religious Science / Science of Mind, which calls itself a 'new thought' church, and which I attended for a few years. There are similarities in their teachings. It's really not very new at all, but I didn't know that at the time. There are, from what I can gather, several EFT practitioners that follow these philosophies, so I wanted to throw in my opinion, for what it's worth.

This topic has caused me perhaps the greatest amount of inner turmoil in embracing EFT, as a Christian, than any other; since I did see so many others with different theologies using it. I didn't want to do anything that was going to keep me, or put me back into, the devil's influence or power. (Of course he's used that to try to convince me to abandon EFT and particularly writing this, but that's another story.) I hope to gain more clarity on the topic in time, so it is my current understanding of the whole thing that follows.

Just like the law of gravity, I believe there is something that could be called the 'law of attraction'. It basically says that like attracts like. Birds of a feather flock together. In the Bible, starting with the book of Genesis, everything reproduces after its own kind. And, just like the law of gravity; with the law of attraction, God would send the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike. Jesus also tells us that a good tree does not produce rotten fruit, and a rotten tree won't produce good fruit, and that by their fruit you will know them. (Matth. 12:33, Luke 6:44) And in Philippians 4:8 the Apostle Paul admonishes:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.(ESV)

All of that ties into the teachings of those who talk about the 'law of attraction', which is all well and good as far as that goes. But then a lot of their teaching becomes, in my opinion, doctrines of demons. One of the guests on the Oprah show opined that one can only ask for something once, just once. If you ask more than once it shows you don't have faith. Now I know Jesus says that it is done according to your faith (Matt. 21:21), but saying you can only ask once, as far as I know, is not scriptural. In fact, the verses noted below would lead me to the opposite conclusion, notwithstanding Jesus' admonishment against vain and repetitious prayers. (Mat6:7 KJV - But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.)

Is 62:6 I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers]put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence,
Is 62:7 And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her a praise in the earth. (Amplified)

And from the New Testament:

Act 12:5 (KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Another part of these teachings are that this 'energy' in the Universe is essentially impersonal and it doesn't care what you ask for, just ask and you shall receive! But then, if you don't get what you ask for, there are a lot of reasons for that; such as you didn't use the right verbiage (which isn't very far away from witchcraft in that regard, I think...), or your belief (feeling / vibration) just isn't strong enough, or something similar. And many also put forth the idea that all we're dealing with is either positive or negative energy, so I found the following by M. Scott Peck, M.D. interesting:

This hermaphroditic entity seemed to have a particular interest in physics. It explained to us how the world was filled with negative energy and positive energy, and the things of the world were either manifestations of positive energy or negative energy just as they were either male or female. It went on to instruct us that the amount of negative energy and positive energy in the world were precisely equal. It then giggled slightly as it explained how if you added up all the positive energy in the world with all the negative, the sum became zero. It found this prospect of nothingness to be not only funny, but also strangely pleasing.

From my chair of objectivity I realized that what I was hearing was the voice of nihilism-a demonic voice present in virtually every recorded exorcism throughout history. This voice of nihilism does not just teach a physics of nothingness, but also a theology of meaninglessness. Not only things but also people add up to zero.

I think that what it boils down to is that a good deal of this teaching is that one's own will is paramount and the Universe, or 'smart energy' is there to submit to their will. For those of us who follow the Creator of the universe, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we do our best to submit our will to His love. 'Thy will be done', rather than 'my will be done'. I also understand that much of what they teach falls under the guise of Pantheism.

The God that I know, knows my heart and even knows what I need before I ask. He is a personal God, and He calls me by my name, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. And what a burden it was to have to try and figure out the way through their maze, they truly make the path crooked. Again from M. Scott Peck: I acknowledged that demons could sometimes speak the truth, but it was always in the form of a half-truth. Indeed, half-truths were the devil's most common weapons.[ii]

If you are stuck in worry and negative self-talk, or pictures of what you don't want to happen in your life, then EFT can help you turn it around and help get your focus or attention onto the Kingdom of Heaven. I believe that the devil tries to get us focused on fearful things, (real or imagined) or tries to get us caught up in strife or offense; and that these attempts are so effective because of this 'law of attraction'. But the rest of it just gets too whacky and unscriptural, to me.

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last updated 7^th December 2007 by Cia M. Watson
copyright © 2007 by Cia M. Watson