Most Christians instinctively know to avoid healing methods such as Reiki healing, but they don’t know why. Most would describe it as just not feeling right. I have never used Reiki, but know those who have. One friend was recommended to something similar to this and she knew immediately there was something off about it and never went back. Knowing why these methods are wrong can help us recognize other alternative healing methods that might not be as obvious but are not in line with Christ.
The Divine Ingredient is all about natural living and Godly living, not only handmade natural soap. This article may be helpful in understanding specifics behind some alternative healing methods from a Christian perspective.
The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words, “rei” and “ki,” which mean a universal life force energy. Reiki claims to be a source of healing energy that is for anyone and includes no religion or required belief system to benefit from it.
The Source of Love
The language used in the description of Reiki easily snares and deceives those who are not established in biblical truth. It is described as unconditional love that emits from the “Source.” It is said that this “pure love is at the core of all creation” and is unconditional love. Some even go as far as using “God” in their description but do not specifically say that God is the source of this energy or love. God’s Word, the Christian’s source of truth, teaches that the source of true love is not creation but the God of creation. I John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” There is only one source of love, which is God. And those who do not know God do not have love.
Try the Spirits
This “pure love” that is used in Reiki is said to come from whatever source you choose, such as pure consciousness, Big Bang, or God. It should not be difficult for a Christian to recognize this lie. We don’t choose the source of love or of truth for ourselves. But we acknowledge that source to be the one and only God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob of the Bible. The Bible says in I John 4:1 to “try the spirits” to see “whether they are of God.” How do you try a spirit? Verse 2 tells us that “every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.” Reiki does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God in the flesh. But rather, it promotes the teaching of being all inclusive—any god, any belief or non-belief, is acceptable.
All Inclusive
Reiki speaks of the power or healing energy coming from the prayers of all of those around the world asking for it and that it is inclusive of everyone and without judgment. This teaching is unbiblical because God cannot accept sin. Sin will stand in the way of the gift of God’s love and peace because we must acknowledge and submit to Him as the ultimate source of truth and as our final authority, our heavenly Father. It is time for Christians to choose God’s Word as absolute truth. We say we believe God’s Word but we limit His power in our lives by not fully trusting in His truth and this causes us to be easily swayed by false teaching.
Source of Power
Another warning sign regarding Reiki healing is that the healers are using terminology that indicates the acceptance of a source of power. Some claim to have said “yes” to the source of energy that gives them healing power. This terminology is significant to the binding power of strongholds, which we know to be power through Satan, or this terminology can also apply to the power of the Holy Spirit which only a believer can access by obeying God, or saying “yes” to God.
A power from Satan is a forceful and controlling power. When Satan has control in your life, it is because you have said “yes” to something sinful in your life. You gave it permission to come into your life. Breaking the power of a stronghold must be done by revoking permission of that sin in your life. Resist Satan by making it clear who you are saying “yes” to in your life (James 4:7).
Divination
Another factor that makes Reiki unbiblical is that it falls under the definition of divination. God commanded the Israelites that when they entered the promised land, they should not learn and participate in the ungodly practices of the nations they were entering. Deuteronomy 18:10 says, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”
Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines divination as “the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.” Reiki uses supernatural power to heal. It is a power that is not typically physically accessible. See also Webster’s 1828 definition of divination.
Acts 16:16 tells about the girl who was possessed by the sprit of divination and was the cause of a confrontation with her employers because Jesus’ disciples cast the demon out of her. This is a sure indication that the power of divination is not of God.
Supernatural Power
Supernatural power only comes from one of two sources, God or Satan. No form of supernatural power that claims to be all inclusive of any belief can be sourced from God. This inclusiveness means that you can believe anything you want to believe, live any lifestyle you want to live and still benefit from Reiki healing. This includes any blatant sinful lifestyle anyone pleases to live. God will forgive sin, but He will not accept sin. James 5:14-15 says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (emphasis mine). Godly healing includes faith in His power to heal and forgiveness of sin, not acceptance of sin.
In Mark 2:4-5, when Jesus saw the man with palsy lowered through the roof because they believed in His healing power, Jesus first saw their faith, He forgave the man’s sins, and the man was healed.
Conclusion
Christians should not seek Reiki healing or any other alternative healing that falls under the description of divination or that acknowledges a power source that is not God. We should pray earnestly and humbly, and with faith in God and His guidance, seek the help of those educated in the care of our health. Believe what His Word says. He is the Great Physician and has the power to heal “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1). We should not neglect to include God and to seek Him earnestly in the area of our health.
