When I was in fourth grade, my class studied rocks and minerals. We evaluated their transparency and took note of the unique features of each stone. Many kinds caught our attention and interest, including quartz, sulfur, and geodes. One, in particular, was my favorite: Obsidian. I remember being fascinated by how it is formed from cooling lava and becomes a smooth and shiny rock.
Today, lots of people, especially the younger generation, are interested in crystals and gems, though not for the same reason my fourth-grade class was. Going beyond geology or even creating jewelry from beautiful stones, people are using crystals for mystical purposes.
You can find necklaces and bracelets that promote positive vibrations or serve as a talisman against negative energies. Some buy the crystals separately to use for healing or in meditation. According to what stone they choose, advocates of crystals believe they can manifest positive moods to help them have a good life.
Studying rocks or using them for decoration is one thing, but the situation becomes complicated when people use crystals and minerals to channel energy, promote healing, or for use in witchcraft rituals.
So, should Christians throw out crystals and avoid buying them for children or to use as decoration? Is there something inherent about crystals that makes them evil? Or is it the way they are being used?
Believers are wise to carefully consider this issue from a biblical standpoint. Many advocates of alternative medicine and even therapists insist on the use of crystals, but we should develop a view based on the reliable Word of God.
Crystals and God’s Good Creation
Long before people used them to channel energy or to meditate, crystals served as witnesses to God’s glory. All the beautiful rocks, minerals, and gems we have today were created by God. As Genesis 1:1 teaches, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (NIV). Like other aspects of nature, gems and crystals testify to the truth that God is the Creator (see Romans 1:20).
Since most crystals come from the earth, then we can know that they were made by God and are thus not inherently evil. This also applies to extraterrestrial stones, such as those that come from meteorites (e.g. moldavite). The Lord created the heavens, which include everything in outer space including meteorites. Everything that God made was declared “good” (Genesis 1:31).
Thus, crystals cannot have magical or mystical powers because God did not design them to possess those qualities. They are just a wonderful part of creation that testifies to the Lord’s handiwork.
Crystals in the Bible
In the Bible, God instructed Aaron to wear a priestly breastpiece that was decorated with twelve stones, each representing a tribe of Israel. Translators are not completely certain about the identity of all these gems, but according to the NIV translation, the craftsmen were instructed to put four rows of gems on the breastpiece of the ephod.
These stones were carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, turquoise, lapis lazuli, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, topaz, onyx, and jasper (Exodus 28:17-21).
We should expect these precious stones to be part of the equipment used in ministering in service to the Lord in the Old Testament because God’s throne in heaven is repeatedly associated with gems. In Ezekiel’s vision of the Lord, he mentions that God’s throne had the appearance of lapis lazuli or sapphire (Ezekiel 10:1; Compare NIV and ESV).
John conveyed a similar scene in his vision, in which God and His throne are compared to previous stones. As he wrote, “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne (Revelation 4:2-3, NIV). Radiant beauty surrounds the awesome throne of God.
Is it any wonder, then, that the future Eternal Kingdom and New Jerusalem will feature precious stones on its foundations and gates? The city will have streets of gold as clear and fine as glass and gates made from pearl (Revelation 21:21).
Precious stones will decorate the foundations of the city walls, twelve in all (see Revelation 21:19-20). God’s dwelling will be with man, and the Kingdom will reflect His beauty (see Revelation 21:3, 10-14). Crystals and gems will be used to decorate our future home, reflecting the glory of the Lord.
Since God created crystals and precious stones that are directly associated with the Lord and His dwelling, these parts of God’s creation are not evil.
Crystals and Occultic Practices
Problems arise when people engage in the occultic use of crystals. We see this in many modern spiritual movements, including:
1. The New Age Movement: This movement might be called “new,” but it incorporates a lot of old practices, such as astrology, transcendental meditation, and elements from Hinduism and Buddhism.
Today, New Age practices are trendy, enjoying widespread fame among the younger generation thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms. People are drawn to the spirituality this movement provides, though without any dedication to God or absolute truth.
Included in this movement is the use of crystals. Individuals meditate with crystals to ground themselves or to manifest good energy in their lives. They believe that specific gemstones offer unique benefits. A New Age form of alternative medicine known as Reiki uses crystals to promote healing.
Reiki practitioners (or masters) channel energy from the universe to bring healing through hand movements and crystals at key places known as chakras. These key places serve as energy points in the body, which is why Reiki masters will focus their hand placements and crystals on certain areas of the body to promote positive energy.
2. Wicca: Although Wiccans use crystals for healing similar to those in the New Age Movement, they also use stones in rituals and to cast spells. Wicca focuses on the natural realm in their worship and craft. Therefore, crystals are a part of their magick. For example, they use specific stones for spells or practices, such as casting a spell for protection or engaging in divination. Many Wiccans also incorporate crystals into their wands.
Like those within the New Age Movement, Wiccans believe that crystals have energy that can be harnessed for a purpose. Both Reiki masters and Wiccans ritually cleanse and charge their stones before using them. They are equally concerned with using certain crystals to channel the desired energy.
What Does the Bible Say about These Practices?
We should quickly recognize that the New Age Movement and Wicca have no place in the Christian life. Any practice of the occult is forbidden in Scripture, including seemingly harmless and popular practices like crystal healing (see Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:14).
Not only is there no evidence that crystals provide any real healing to patients, but Reiki and Wicca are spiritually dangerous. Once people start engaging in occultic practices, they open themselves to further demonic influence.
The Bible speaks strongly against witchcraft (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; also see Revelation 21:8). Wiccans and Reiki masters attempt to manipulate events in life by using crystals, thus engaging in witchcraft.
Such practices are associated with Satan’s power and demonic forces. Even if people think that they are merely harnessing natural powers through crystals, they are engaging in sinful acts of the flesh by participating in the occult (Galatians 5:19-21).
Underneath the New Age’s trendy practices and personal emphasis on enlightenment and spirituality is Satan, who wants to keep people away from finding truth and peace in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
As Nicole Watt, a former Reiki master, stated in her article for Christianity Today, “The New Age is the old Satan playing on our deepest longings for peace, connection, abundance, and immortality.” The same can be said of Wicca.
Although these spiritual practices appeal to people looking for healing, peace, and power, they only lead to spiritual darkness and emptiness.
What Does This Mean?
Crystals are not inherently evil, nor do they possess magical abilities. However, people can use them for evil purposes, such as in witchcraft and New Age spiritual practices. The stone itself is not sinful, but using it for occultic reasons is wrong and condemned by the Lord.
Christians can enjoy crystals and praise God for the glory these rocks and minerals bring to Him. We can surely collect, decorate, and make jewelry from these stones. Using crystals for healing or other occultic purposes, though, is not compatible with being a follower of Christ, and thus Christians should avoid such practices.
If any believer has engaged with crystals to provide energy or healing, they should follow the example of the early Christians in Ephesus who repented of their involvement with sorcery and burned their scrolls (see Acts 19:17-20). Although occultic items like the scrolls in Ephesus or the crystals used by individuals today might have cost a considerable sum of money, the loss is worth it to know Jesus. Only He can give true healing, peace, and freedom.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Dan Farrell
