"Holy" Yoga
#1
Posted 29 November 2012 - 03:31 PM
But, I don't put my friend under the bus. I warned her. But, I see her infrequently and don't mention it. She always mentions her holy yoga class. She is very "free-spirited", believes and trusts in Christ, but also believes that muslims are saved, as are hindus buddhists, etc. That's besides the point.
I open this topic for discussion. Is it OK?? Biblical reasons yes or no.
#2
Posted 30 November 2012 - 06:26 AM
So there is flakiness and strangeness (all in the name of Christ) going on in many churches. Sadly, it seems to REALLY affect the so called Full Gospel churches more and that's sad, since I am a staunch believer in the gifts and working of the Holy Spirit in today's church. That somehow certain parts of the first century church's practices have been "done away with" has YET to be proven to me. And ironically, the belief that certain things ended with the last apostle, is held by a certain church denomination (they don't like to be called a denomination but I know of no other term that fits them) that believes that they come closest to representing true first century church practices.
Personally, I think that the organized church, and the many denominations, have driven away many a seeker who just can't find it in him or herself to work through "what is real and what is not".
But Holy Yoga??? Wow they are taking it to new heights. Trying to marry two distinctly separate religions and make one is a sure fulfillment of Jesus' words about Tares and Wheat growing up together. Their roots get intertangled to the point that if you pull up the tare, the wheat gets jerked up to.
#3
Posted 30 November 2012 - 08:26 AM
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#4
Posted 30 November 2012 - 01:19 PM
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#5
Posted 30 November 2012 - 06:13 PM
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#6
Posted 30 November 2012 - 07:39 PM
#7
Posted 01 December 2012 - 08:46 AM
You have all validated my grave concerns here. The demonic origins, in my opinion, cannot be turned into something to offer to the LORD. I do downward dog from time to time just to stretch. I don't "think, meditate or do special breathing. I could easily get rid of it altogether and probably will.
I suggested to my friend that she have pilates class, but maybe that's bad too? Don't know much, but I do attend a class a few times a month. No yoga poses. Nothing spiritual added.
PLEASE pray as I see my "friend" (who's really now just an acquaintance), Wednesday for coffee and it will surely prove to be a spiritual battle in the heavenlies. I lovingly, yet sternly warned her once and will not keep on it with her. The LORD is her judge and the Holy Spirit is the One to convict her. She's not in my church, so I can't exactly go through the usual route of confronting this and turning her back to truth in love.
To me this is very serious and nothing to joke about. My heart is broken as she once seemed to desire to follow Christ very faithfully. I don't see that anymore, but I rarely see her.
#8
Posted 01 December 2012 - 09:48 AM
God bless,
Lori
#9
Posted 01 December 2012 - 10:58 AM
I believe that one of the continuing purposes that God has for us, as believers, is to be part of the process where we take the things of Satan and redeem them for God's glory. Just looking through scripture, I see God doing this over and over again. One of the most prominent is how He took fallen mankind and has redeemed it for Himself. The first question that we need to ask is, can God take something like yoga, with its pagan and demonic background, and redeem it, making it something that can glorify Him?
Like has been said, yoga is all about emptying your mind, focusing on your breathing and praising and worshiping the gods. The Bible tells us how we are to renew our minds daily, letting go of the cares, the worries, the doubts and the fears, while setting our focus on God.
Here is a devotional by A.B.Simpson, where He associates the filling with the Holy Spirit with that of breathing. As we set our eyes on God, He will fill us with His Spirit. Like air, the effects of the Spirit's indwelling are short-lived and must continually be used and renewed. If we try to live off of yesterdays indwelling, the Spirit's power becomes stagnant within us and useless to us. So we need to continually breath in the Spirit and step out, walking in the Spirit's power. That is the cycle of life in the Spirit.
So is this "Holy" yoga an example of something that God is trying to redeem? I cannot say one way or the other, but I can see how it could be. Candice, if I were in your position, I would withhold judgment, wait on God while seeking His perspective on this. If you feel the Holy Spirit leading you in one direction or the other, by all means, you should act accordingly. But I wouldn't judge too rashly or hastily. Seek God's judgment on the matter.
#10
Posted 01 December 2012 - 04:50 PM
Not judging my friend too hastily. I waited quite a while til the dust settled from other relationships breaking before the Spirit led me to say anything to my friend. At which time, I simply warned her of the pastor in Nepal's admonition of yoga and the practices in the temple. My real concern was her belief that everyone is saved whatever path they take be it Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, etc. "Everyone is saved by their own religious path". We are called to set someone straight...read the last verse in James chapter 5. I'm not her judge and I'm not the Holy Spirit.
Remember, the temple to the pagans in the OT; mostly something was left each time a king came along and did not completely take down every bit of it. There was nothing good in those pagan high places. None of it was useful to the LORD. They left something and tried to make it good for God and it fell.
#11
Posted 02 December 2012 - 07:10 AM
Of course, surely this thing was discussed among the elders of that fellowship before being instituted as being an acceptable thing, all things considered. Me? It wouldn't bother me one way or the other as long as it is crystal clear that the participants are saved, Spirit-filled believers. And that the door to their yoga room stay closed while they are doing whatever it is that the do.
But to season my above statement with salt, I would strongly caution my fellow brothers and sisters against BORROWING a practice from the heathens who made this practice famous. What fellowship hath Christ and belial? So....again, while I may not worry too much if I passed a sunday school room full of people doing Yoga, others may be very concerned. You can tell that from the varied posts in this thread. Some are cautious and seem to forbid its practice, and some are more indifferent as long as all is done to the glory of God. I MUST say, that it would depend on a lot of different things, whether I accepted it or not. We have already seen the church doing it's best to become like the world around it. Perhaps this is one more.....open door that the Church of Christ (not referring to Thomas Cambell's bunch) should NOT go through. (If it seems that my stance shifted as I wrote this, it is because we are discussing a topic that I have never really been confronted with. I stand by the LAST sentence in my post)
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#12 Guest_Marvin Harrell_*
Posted 04 December 2012 - 08:00 AM
Another issue which would seem to be relevant is : Does this practice glorify God to an unsaved newcomer to that particular church, which is the Body of Christ. "All things are permissable, but not all things are beneficial" says Paul. Will the practicing of a Far Eastern or Middle Eastern religous practice, even if the "gods" are replaced with "Jesus" or "God" be a stumbling block to a brand new believer who might think that it is totally wrong? Therefore. "I will eat no meat" if my brother is offended.
But to season my above statement with salt, I would strongly caution my fellow brothers and sisters against BORROWING a practice from the heathens who made this practice famous. What fellowship hath Christ and belial? So....again, while I may not worry too much if I passed a sunday school room full of people doing Yoga, others may be very concerned. You can tell that from the varied posts in this thread. Some are cautious and seem to forbid its practice, and some are more indifferent as long as all is done to the glory of God. I MUST say, that it would depend on a lot of different things, whether I accepted it or not. We have already seen the church doing it's best to become like the world around it. Perhaps this is one more.....open door that the Church of Christ (not referring to Thomas Cambell's bunch) should NOT go through. (If it seems that my stance shifted as I wrote this, it is because we are discussing a topic that I have never really been confronted with. I stand by the LAST sentence in my post)
Good word, Kevin. I would agree. From my perspective, it is the height of service to yield to a brother or sister when it comes to personal practices. One never knows the history of someone else...and it is better to prefer another over oneself. I have a lot of growing to do in this area...
#13
Posted 04 December 2012 - 11:53 AM
I have watched and waited to see how this question of yours would be discussed. I know absolutely nothing about yoga except that it is some kind of exercise program associated with the Far East.. So I really have no position on yoga unless it is closely associated with one of the non-christian religious sects in that region.
Your other statement concerned me very much though. "She is "free spirited", trusts in Christ, but believes muslims are saved....". I too, believe that muslims, buddhists, and others can be salvaged, redeemed, and saved to a relationship with the Father, but my bible says they will need to do something first. Jesus said, "I am the Truth, the Way, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me". Also, if it is true that anyone entering the sheep fold through any other means than the gate comes to rob and steal, what exactly does that mean as it relates to these other religions and how they could lead someone to salvation and eternal life? Not only is Jesus the Good Shepherd, He is also the door(gate) to the sheep fold. I certainly will not judge muslims, buddhists, and the like,(please forgive me if it sounds like I am) but it just is not clear to me how they recieve pardon for their sin without believing that Jesus is the Son of God, was incarnated, lived with us, was crucified, died for our sin, and was resurected 3 days later. As I understand salvation, there simply is only one way to get it....and religions of works(islam) seem to miss the boat in that reguard.
There seems to be a movement today that says..."if you are sincere in your belief, do good deeds, give money to the poor, and try not to hurt anyone, then you are saved". My bible says it makes no difference how good a man/woman you are, how many good works you do, how much money you give, or how sincere you are in your belief system, if you don`t confess that Jesus Christ is the risen Lord and repent, you just simply do not have salvation. I don`t care what Oprah says, it just won`t get it! If it would have, Jesus would have preached universalism........and He didn`t. He was pretty specific about the Way...it was HIM.
God would that none be lost but all recieve eternal life...but here we go with that old free will again. I have no hatred against these other religions at all, and I would really like to see them all saved by the shed blood of Jesus, but I think they have to repent, and confess that Jesus is Lord. If there is any other "Way" I would certainly want someone here( people I respect as christians) to tell me.
In Christ`s love,
Charlie
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#14
Posted 04 December 2012 - 12:03 PM
In my life since I was saved I've always believed that anything that takes your eyes of the Lord is wrong. And anything that has roots in another pagan religion can lead to be harassed by demons. I've gone through that trial too. Jesus is my only Healer and I choose to worship Him in a very simple Spirit filled way.
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#15
Posted 04 December 2012 - 01:14 PM
I agree with you on your comments in their entirety. My friend truly believes what you quoted above here. If you commit yourself, go ahead and seek Buddhism, et al.There seems to be a movement today that says..."if you are sincere in your belief, do good deeds, give money to the poor, and try not to hurt anyone, then you are saved". My bible says it makes no difference how good a man/woman you are, how many good works you do, how much money you give, or how sincere you are in your belief system, if you don`t confess that Jesus Christ is the risen Lord and repent, you just simply do not have salvation.
Charlie
I have a casual acquaintance with a couple from Iran who live here 9 months of the year and visit Iran winter. They are not Muslim per se, but would lean that way. I see them at their restaurant on occasion and visit with them. I don't judge. I'd like an opportunity to share Christ with them, but only as the Spirit leads.
GOD"s arm is not too short to reach anyone. I just have my human limitations and won't exceed what the Spirit of God leads me to do.
Thank you for your comments EVERYONE!
#16
Posted 04 December 2012 - 06:36 PM
Could you explain a little more about being committed to Christ and then seeking Buddhism et al. I'm just not getting the picture. Bets
#17
Posted 11 December 2012 - 01:35 PM
You might want to suggest Praise Moves to your friend. It is a stretching exercise program, but clearly defines the spiritual dangers of yoga and the stumbling block it can be to others. Their website has a good article on this subject.
http://praisemoves.c...native-to-yoga/
Hope it helps.
#18
Posted 11 December 2012 - 06:04 PM
Sorry Betsy, I didn't see your reply. I don't know why she believes what she does. I just know she expresses that she believes that Jesus is her savior but that there are other paths and that all of them are fine; Christ died for all whether their Bhuddist, etc. That's what she said basically.Candice,
Could you explain a little more about being committed to Christ and then seeking Buddhism et al. I'm just not getting the picture. Bets
Candice
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#19
Posted 11 December 2012 - 06:06 PM
Thank you Diana. In fact, I see my friend for coffee tomorrow at 12 noon and, if the SPIRIT leads, will seek her interest in this. But, I need to check it out first.Candice,
You might want to suggest Praise Moves to your friend. It is a stretching exercise program, but clearly defines the spiritual dangers of yoga and the stumbling block it can be to others. Their website has a good article on this subject.
http://praisemoves.c...native-to-yoga/
Hope it helps.
Candice
#20
Posted 12 December 2012 - 07:53 AM
There is a difference between knowning about Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him! When the Lord says..."I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me". He becomes very, very specific(at least in my mind) about who He is and what only He can do. I simply shudder when I hear of a "christian" saying that there are other ways to salvation and eternal life, because to me, that says to Christ,,"I understand that you gave your life for me, to redeem me from sin, and give me eternal life,....but I think I`ll trust this other system to give me salvation". What!!I know what you did for me...but no thanks???? I just don`t see how someone who professes christianity can get to that point.
God does love all mankind, but He will allow man to make a choice and reap the results of that choice.
I love being one of His sheep,
Charlie
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