Christian Hypnosis

QUESTION: Christian hypnosis - Should Christians submit to hypnosis?

ANSWER:

Is Christian hypnosis beneficial? Hypnosis is a highly focused state of attentive concentration. During hypnosis, whether it is induced by a hypnotist or self-induced, the subject is in a state of high vulnerability and suggestibility. It is a condition that a person, generally, has willingly submitted to or has stimulated within themselves. Those who employ the technique of hypnosis in their lives do so for various therapeutic or self-help reasons. Hypnosis has been used to deal with such things as phobias, pain, behavior problems and perfection of skills, to name a few. The danger lies in relying for help, wisdom, improvement and cure on any source outside of God.

• Hypnosis is relinquishing control to another person or relying on our own inner abilities for help. Our inner abilities are not sufficient to give us the deliverance that we need. God has promised to do that for us. “ A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19). Christians should carefully research and examine the known facts regarding hypnosis and tread with caution before submitting to it.
  
  
• Hypnosis leads to an altered state of consciousness. In this state the mind is very susceptible to outside suggestion. The Bible says, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. (1 Peter 5:8).
  
  
• Help comes from God. In the Bible, the Psalmist declared hundreds of years ago that his help came from God. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). Dependency is not just on any god, but the God who made the heavens and the earth. We can be assured by that knowledge of the power of God that nothing we bring to Him would be too difficult for Him to fix.
  
  This truth was affirmed by the prophet Jeremiah: “O Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). Christians by no means are exempt from trouble. We have sickness, pain and difficulties. We strive for excellence and have goals and dreams like everyone else. Christians suffer with addictive behavior, fears, and stressful circumstances. But Christians have the promise of the continual help of the Spirit of God who indwells them. God has promised to give us renewal and deliverance. Christians should not be looking into themselves for the help that they need. Nor should Christians look to another to bring them into any “unreal or unnatural state” to combat problems. God is able to do all that needs to be done. Yes, it will take faith and patience, but God is able to do whatever we ask of Him. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).