Q. On a late night show I heard a lady talk about something called the science of “intention.” She equated “intention” to prayer and said it works as well as prayer to God. Any thoughts on this?
Answer:
Science of Intention Equated with Prayer
The “Science of Intention” promotes itself as a “science” proved by the scientific method – complete with objective, scientific, experimental data. The idea is that humans simply receive or transmit information and that thoughts are like light particles or quanta which know what each other are “doing” and what occurs in the past and future.
These particles or waves appear to exist outside of our time domain. Therefore, just like quanta or light particles our thoughts have a physical reality to them. This means that humans only need to focus upon a person or thing to change something to whatever it is the person wants. The Science of Intention even claims it can change the past!
Old, Forbidden Practices
Frankly, we strive for the same thing when we engage in voodoo or witchcraft! The Science of Intention is just a new name for very old, forbidden practices. Of course, we know what God says about that in Deuteronomy 18: 10-14:
…“And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord. …The people you are about to displace consult with sorcerers and fortune tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things” (NLT).
Mind Sciences
During our lifetime the “Science of Intention” was simply called power of concentration and gave rise to all sorts of mind-sciences such as the church of Religious Science, Christian Science, and Scientology. In the 1960s this power was called “Psycho-Cybernetics.”
Syncretism
Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller became representatives of the Christian power of positive thinking. Currently, we have Joel Osteen whose cult of prosperity layers itself upon a pseudo-Christian set of beliefs. These churches have become syncretistic and pile superstitious pagan beliefs on top of questionable “evangelical” doctrines.
Dark Forces
We shouldn’t be surprised when something is billed as equal to prayer or equal to the powers of God. From Genesis through Revelation we are warned that there are evil spiritual forces at work in our universe. In fact, we appear to be simply pawns in their chess game.
Whose Power?
When someone tells you that their method or power is equivalent to prayer I wouldn’t even argue the issue. Instead, ask them just whose power they are promoting?
Satan Performs Signs & Miracles
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 tells us, “This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them. So God will send great deception upon them, and they will believe all these lies” (NLT).
It is clear from this passage that even the Antichrist will perform miracles, signs, and wonders. Furthermore, the numerous appearances of the Virgin Mary who heals and performs miracles are probably from the same source! I would rather be poor and sick and in God’s will than rich and healthy and following in Satan’s will.
Thoughts Judged
Finally, we are told that even our thought-life will be judged before God:
…“they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:15-16, NASB).
Considering that, we might all wish to apply Psalm 101:2-3 to our lives:
I will walk within my
house in the integrity
of my heart.
I will set no worthless
thing before my eyes.