Is manifesting a sin? Manifesting is the teaching that if you believe in something hard enough, it will come true. Manifestation is part of the law of attraction, which comes from The Secret book and movie.
Many followers of this movement have shared on the official The Secret website that the law of attraction and manifesting has helped them find their soulmate, land their dream job, or obtain a goal (The Secret, “All Stories”).
Is Manifesting a Sin? What Is It?
Manifestation teaches that whatever vibe you think or “put out” will come back to you (Julia Malacoff, “So, What Is Manifestation — And How Do You Actually Do It?”). If you think good thoughts, good will come back to you; however, if you think negative thoughts, negative things will happen in your life (Julia Malacoff, “So, What Is Manifestation — And How Do You Actually Do It?”).
Manifestation teaches that if you focus on something hard enough, strive toward it, and fully believe in it, then it will happen in your life. If you manifest your end result in your mind, you will physically receive the same end result in real life.
An example would be if you think positive thoughts about getting a job promotion, you will get the promotion in real life. On the other hand, if you believe in something negatively, such as you won’t get the promotion you were striving for, then, in reality, you will not truly get the promotion either.
The entire idea of manifesting is centered around the self. It teaches that if you think positively enough, anything is possible. But what does the Bible say? Is it biblical? Can Christians participate in manifesting?
How Manifestation Contradicts the Bible
Does the Bible say manifestation is a sin? Manifesting is unbiblical in many ways. The first reason manifesting is unbiblical is that it turns you into your own god. Rather than praying to God and having faith in His ability to help you in your situation, you are turning inward to yourself in order to bring about your desired outcome.
Rather than trusting God, manifestation causes you to trust in your own abilities. The Bible tells us to trust in God, not in our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). When we trust in God, He will guide our path and give us direction.
Secondly, manifesting causes the individual to try to manipulate events for their own desired outcomes. Manifestation is understood to be sorcery as it utilizes magic. Anytime an individual tries to force a desired outcome by doing rituals, it is magic.
God tells us in the Bible to not participate in witchcraft, sorcery, or magic (Deuteronomy 18:10). Witchcraft is in direct correlation with Satan and his demons.
Thirdly, manifestation becomes an idol in an individual’s life. When we place anything above God, it becomes an idol. If an individual is looking to manifesting for security, then manifesting has become the individual’s idol. God tells us we are to have no other gods in our lives (Exodus 20:3). Jesus is the only true Way (John 14:6).
Manifesting will not save an individual. Only placing faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection will provide security, salvation, and eternal life. Placing faith in manifesting will only lead to disappointment, false hope, and separation from God. Manifestation is not part of God’s will for His children’s lives.
Fourthly, manifestation causes us to neglect God’s timing. If an individual tries to use manifestation as a way to “speed up” the answer to their prayer, then the individual has their priorities wrong. God’s timing is perfect. It is always perfect.
Psalm 27:14 highlights the importance of waiting on God: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” When an individual tries to speed up the process of a prayer being answered, it is going against God. Using manifestation will not help your prayers become answered any faster.
God will answer prayers according to His will and in His perfect timing. Manifestation will not cause your prayers to become answered. God answers our prayers as they are in alignment with His will — not according to our desires.
Lastly, the idea of manifesting is always related to our selfish desires. Most often what people are trying to manifest in their lives through manifestation is a better job, more money, or your ideal romance.
The truth is that manifestation cannot give you what your heart truly desires as only Jesus can fill the void in your heart. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Manifesting may appear to some as being the answer to all of their problems, but it is not. Manifesting is not correct, and it is unbiblical teaching. Believers do not need to participate in manifesting as it goes against God and the Bible.
Rather than taking up the teachings of manifestation, believers should strengthen their prayer life with God and do what they can personally to achieve their goals.
How Can I Deepen My Prayer Life?
Your prayer life can be deepened in many ways. First, make sure you take time to pray to God. It does not matter how long it is — just as long as you’re making sure to pray to Him daily. The Bible tells us to pray continually throughout our daily life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). You can pray to Him in the morning, evening, or nighttime. God desires to hear from you.
God answers prayers according to His will and in His timing. We cannot manipulate God to answer our prayers, nor can we control His timing. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers because He is protecting us.
What Can I Personally Do?
You can also personally help your own aspirations come true, but you have to put in the work. Rather than manifesting your hopes, pray to God and put in any leg work you need to do.
If you want to make more money, try going back to college to get a higher degree or apply for a job with better benefits. If you want to find a spouse, pray for God’s guidance, and try to go out and meet other Christians.
However, it is important to note that no matter how much we want something or strive toward something, if it’s not in God’s plan, it will not happen. As believers, the best thing to do is to pray, seek God’s counsel, and take any necessary steps we can do personally.
Manifesting is never the answer and Christians should not participate in manifestation. Manifesting, the law of attraction, and The Secret are all unbiblical teachings, which Christians need to abstain from.
For further reading:
Is the Power of Positive Thinking Biblical?
Should Christians Say ‘Everything Happens for a Reason’ for Any Reason?
Should Christians Seek Revelation from God Apart from the Bible?
How Is God Able to Do Exceedingly More?
Why Shouldn’t We Lean on Our Own Understanding?
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