Could we open Hypnosis up for discussion. Why is Hypnosis a sin? I have just been called to the ministry. Could we keep our answers as clear and simple as possible. Thanks so much and God Bless You.
Generally, Christians have argued against Hypnosis because:
1. It isn't reliable
2. There is a fear it might be associated with spiritual mysteries that make us vulnerable
3. It weakens your spiritual defenses and allows an external force to control your mind
However, done in the proper clinical setting, by a trained Psychiatrist, it becomes another tool in the arsenal of medical treatments. I wonder if there is just a lot of superstition associated with it. But as Christians, I don't think we have to be afraid of it. There are many mind altering drugs we have to take for various ailments, but when done right, in a controlled medical setting, they should be safe. That is not to say we should just take anything and everything someone prescribes. But from my perspective, Hypnosis has its place in medical science.
Stephanie, I'll start this off with some thoughts. I would say that using Hypnosis is a sin even though not specifically mentioned in the Bible. Through it, a believer leaves himself open to more problems leading to sin, being no longer subject to clear, rational thinking & obliged to obey whatever is suggested.
Hypnosis, as you know, is a science to place a person's mind into a state of subjugation, whether done by another or oneself. It effectively alters the critical thinking of a (vulnerable & willing) person to one of obedience regardless of the wishes of that person. It seems to have some benefit in helping those with lingering medical problems. However, the question is, as Christians are we permitted to let our normal critical/decision making minds become open to external commands that would otherwise be rejected by us? Or, in computer terminology, should we allow a downloaded file not be subject to a firewall and an anti-virus examination?
Scriptures that come to mind: Phil 4:7; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Pet 1:13, all speak about having sound, Christ-honouring minds that engage in a mental/spiritual warfare to keep them under subjection from outside forces. In fact 2 Cor 4:4 says "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not". We can get the sense here, that their minds were veiled, or even affected/hypnotized, so that they can't ever perceive that they're believing a lie. I realize that I'm adding 'hypnosis' here, but I can see how this can be applied to the response of those so affected.
So, it comes down to: Who has control over our minds/our lives? The Bible says that we must at all times be in control over it, even to the avoiding of substances that would diminish that control or even allowing external forces (people or demons) to gain control over us. When we use the Holy Spirit's Power in our lives, then we should never allow another to take it over nor allow hypnosis to become a play thing as is often done these days.
1. It isn't reliable
2. There is a fear it might be associated with spiritual mysteries that make us vulnerable
3. It weakens your spiritual defenses and allows an external force to control your mind
However, done in the proper clinical setting, by a trained Psychiatrist, it becomes another tool in the arsenal of medical treatments. I wonder if there is just a lot of superstition associated with it. But as Christians, I don't think we have to be afraid of it. There are many mind altering drugs we have to take for various ailments, but when done right, in a controlled medical setting, they should be safe. That is not to say we should just take anything and everything someone prescribes. But from my perspective, Hypnosis has its place in medical science.
Hypnosis, as you know, is a science to place a person's mind into a state of subjugation, whether done by another or oneself. It effectively alters the critical thinking of a (vulnerable & willing) person to one of obedience regardless of the wishes of that person. It seems to have some benefit in helping those with lingering medical problems. However, the question is, as Christians are we permitted to let our normal critical/decision making minds become open to external commands that would otherwise be rejected by us? Or, in computer terminology, should we allow a downloaded file not be subject to a firewall and an anti-virus examination?
Scriptures that come to mind: Phil 4:7; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Pet 1:13, all speak about having sound, Christ-honouring minds that engage in a mental/spiritual warfare to keep them under subjection from outside forces. In fact 2 Cor 4:4 says "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not". We can get the sense here, that their minds were veiled, or even affected/hypnotized, so that they can't ever perceive that they're believing a lie. I realize that I'm adding 'hypnosis' here, but I can see how this can be applied to the response of those so affected.
So, it comes down to: Who has control over our minds/our lives? The Bible says that we must at all times be in control over it, even to the avoiding of substances that would diminish that control or even allowing external forces (people or demons) to gain control over us. When we use the Holy Spirit's Power in our lives, then we should never allow another to take it over nor allow hypnosis to become a play thing as is often done these days.
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