Question: What is mysticism?

Question: What is mysticism?

Response: Mysticism is the process of turning from the objective truth of God’s Word to the subjective realm of the imagination, feelings, and emotions. Noah Webster defines the doctrine of the Mystics as manifesting immediate communication with the spirit realm. That realm is reinforced by the lies of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils… (1 Timothy:4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
See All...).The initial attraction of mysticism is the lie that it will help a person draw closer to God. That concept is promoted today primarily through the contemplative spiritual movement in Christendom. The seduction centers around emotions and feelings. Doctrine is disdained and is believed to generate an unloving and uncaring mentality. The chief technique of contemplative spirituality is meditation that involves emptying the mind of all thoughts and then filling it through personally experiencing and hearing from God. It claims to transition one from a normal self to a higher self (a person’s “God Self”). The ultimate goal is to “merge into God,” also known as self-realization. The theological concept for mysticism is called pantheism and panentheism (God is everything, and God is in everything). It is highly ecumenical, and is at the heart of most of the world’s religions. It is also promoted as the basis for everyone coming together to form a one-world religion.

Mysticism includes physical and non-physical experiences, the practical and the spiritual. Practical mysticism involves methods that address the condition of physical illnesses or afflictions such as stretching exercises through yoga, stress reduction, guidance, reiki, and therapeutic touch. Spiritual mysticism involves energies such as chi (ki, qi, prana) which is said to be the universal power source of the cosmos. It impacts the individual through bodily sensations such as chi power, kundalini chakras, "a burning in the bosom," manifestations of light, and hearing voices.

Mysticism in its broad sense involves the abandonment of reality. Satan, the source behind mysticism, has no creative power. He can only work within what God has created and all his efforts are ultimately destructive. Satan and his minions can do nothing to alter, fix, adjust, or remedy the reality that they have turned from and corrupted. They are ultimately destructive in all their manifestations and their ultimate objective is leading people away from God and His Word.

Closely related to mysticism is sorcery which in the Old Testament involves input from demons manifesting occult powers. Old Testament terms used to describe sorcery are witchcraft, mediums, idols, wizards, soothsayers, spiritists, magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, astrologers, and one who interprets dreams or omens. Sorcery in the New Testament, in addition to Simon the Sorcerer (Acts:8:9-24 [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. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. [24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
See All...), who bewitched people with his magic/sorcery as did Elymas and Bar-Jesus (Acts:13:6And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
See All...,8), involves the use of drugs (sorcery in the Greek is pharmakeus related to our word pharmacy). There’s little doubt that this use of sorcery in the Last Days indicates the utilization of mind-altering hallucinogenic drugs.