Hypnosis in Unexpected Places

Hypnosis has been among the dark arts throughout ancient history until the present. In his book on the history of hypnosis, Maurice Tinterow says, “Probably the early soothsayers and oracles relied largely on the hypnotic state.”[2] The Bible does not treat occult practices as harmless superstitions. There are strong warnings against all that is associated with the occult. God desires His people to come to Him with their needs rather than turn to occult practitioners.

The Bible strongly speaks out against having anything to do with those who involve themselves in the occult because of the demonic power, influence, and control. Occult activities were practiced by the nations surrounding Israel during the time of Moses. Therefore, God explicitly warned His people against them:

Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. . . . Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God (Lev:19:26Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
See All..., 31).

Because of the apparent occult nature of hypnosis (which is more obvious in the deeper stages) and because hypnosis is practiced by many who involve themselves in other areas of the occult, Christians would be wise to avoid hypnosis even for medical purposes.

The words from the Old Testament which are translated charmers and enchanters seem to indicate the same kinds of persons whom we now call hypnotherapists. Dave Hunt, author of The Cult Explosion[3] and Occult Invasion[4] and researcher in the area of the occult as well as the cults, says:

From the Biblical standpoint, I believe that in such places as Deuteronomy 18, when it speaks of “charmers” and “enchanters,” the practice involved anciently was exactly what has recently become acceptable in medicine and psychiatry as hypnosis. I believe this both from the ancient usage of this word and from occult traditions.[5]

A Watchman Fellowship “Profile” says the following:

It is difficult to know if “charming” is a direct reference to hypnosis as the evidence is somewhat circumstantial. The Bible, however, is replete with clear admonitions against involvement with the occult (Leviticus:19:26Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
See All...; 2 Kings:21:6And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
See All...; Isaiah:47:913
See All...; Acts:8:9-11 [9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
See All...). This would prohibit any Christian association in those aspects of hypnosis that directly relate to the occult (spiritualism, channeling, past-life regression, divination, etc.).

There is general agreement that hypnotized individuals are somewhat vulnerable to uncritically accepting as true any suggestion given by the hypnotist. This factor alone creates the potential for misuse and deception. Some Christian researchers go a step further warning that it is possible for hypnotized subjects to be influenced by voices other than that of the hypnotist. They believe that in a trance state one is more susceptible to demonic oppression or even possession— especially if the subject has a history of occult experimentation.

Hypnosis can be indirectly linked to biblical admonitions against “charming.” It is historically linked to pagan and occult practices. Even proponents warn of the potential for misuse or unethical application. These factors coupled with the absence of a provable neutral, non-religious theory of hypnosis make hypnosis a potentially dangerous practice not recommended for Christians.[6]

https://pamweb.org/inner-healing/hypnosis-in-unexpected-places/

References:

[1] Excerpted from Martin & Deidre Bobgan. Hypnosis: Medical, Scientific, or Occultic? Santa Barbara, CA: EastGate Publishers, 2001, Chapters 10-12, available as a free ebook to download at https://pamweb.org/free-ebooks/.

[2] Dr. Maurice M. Tinterow. Foundations of Hypnosis fromMesmer to Freud. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1970, p. x.

[3] Dave Hunt. The Cult Explosion. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1980.

[4] Dave Hunt. Occult Invasion. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1998.

[5] Dave Hunt, personal letter to Walter Martin, January 13, 1982, p. 5.

[6] “Hypnosis.” Profiles. Arlington, TX: Watchman Fellowhip, 1998.