The concept of manifestation has gained significant popularity in today’s world. It is often associated with the idea of attracting one’s desires through positive thinking and visualization. Motivational speakers and a majority of success icons term manifestation as a powerful tool towards greatness and prosperity. I’ve heard people say that the power to achieve great things begins in the mind.
But how Biblically true is this? The significance of this practice is discussed and emphasized on all media platforms. It is important for us to understand what the Bible says about manifestation and how it aligns with our faith. Is manifestation a godly practice? Can we really attract God’s blessings through manifestation?
In this article, we will explore the meaning of manifestation, instances when it may be considered a sin, and when it may not be deemed as such.
What Is Manifestation?
From the Biblical point of view, manifestation is the concept of believing that something good will happen and claiming it as our portion. There are people who claim that something called ‘the power of the mind’ can positively turn their lives around.
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In Proverbs 23:7, we are told that one becomes who they think. This means that if you believe in yourself that you can do something, you will eventually do it no matter what comes your way.
The underlying principle is that by maintaining a positive mindset and visualizing specific goals, individuals can draw those desired outcomes into their lives. While this concept may have some appeal, we must approach it with discernment and examine it in light of Christ’s teachings.
What Does the Bible Say About Manifestation?
While the idea of manifestation may not be openly illustrated in the Bible, its principles can be found in various scriptural passages that encourage faith, prayer, and alignment with God’s will.
“Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Mark 9:23
This Bible verse emphasizes the power of faith and belief in God’s ability to work in people’s lives. When you align your thoughts and desires with God’s promises, you open yourself to His blessings and provisions. It illustrates that one cannot expect God to do anything good in their lives if they don’t believe that He has the power to do it.
To receive healing, one must believe that God is able to heal and restore them to good health. And, to receive God’s blessings, they must believe that it is God who blesses His people with good gifts from the heavenly stores. Mark 9:23 puts emphasis on manifesting through believing in God.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
In these verses, Jesus encourages Christians to approach God with confidence in prayer and to believe that He hears and responds to their requests. Manifestation, in this context, is an act of earnestly seeking God’s will and trusting that He will answer according to His perfect plan.
You cannot ask for something from someone if you don’t believe that they can give it to you. Manifestation plays a crucial role when asking, seeking, and knocking. Our dedication to ask, seek, and knock is in itself manifestation.
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“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
Psalms 37:4 teaches that when people delight in the Lord and seek Him above all else, their desires will align with His will. As we manifest our desires in prayer and faith, we are called to believe that God will bring His desires to fruition in our lives. In this case, we manifest by having confidence in Him that He will meet the desires of our hearts.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”
Ephesians 3:20
Christians believe that there is a power within them and this power can be activated through manifestation. This manifestation may happen through reflecting and meditating on the Word of God, through prayer and fasting, and by having strong faith in God. We can go before the Lord in prayer and ask for the things that we want Him to do for us.
The Bible does not only provide Scriptures that relate to manifestation. It also gives us powerful stories of people who won battles through the power of manifestation. A great example that the Bible mentions is David. When he wanted to face Goliath in battle, David manifested victory in his mind. He recollected the moments he had victoriously fought against wild animals while taking care of his father’s sheep. David gained his courage and strength by believing that God’s power was on him, and if won the war against wild animals, he would win against Goliath. He won in his mind first before he went to the battlefield.
Is Manifestation Godly?
When approached with a humble and God-centered mindset, manifestation can be aligned with Biblical principles. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” When you seek to manifest God’s will and align your desires with His plan for your life, it can become a form of surrender and trust in Him. In this context, manifestation can be an expression of faith and a way to draw closer to God.
Furthermore, manifestation can be interpreted as an act of faith in God’s promises. When we trust in God’s faithfulness and align our desires with His Word, our manifestation efforts can be an expression of faith in His provision and guidance.
Instances When Manifestation Is Considered a Sin
As with any spiritual practice, manifestation can be approached in ways that are contrary to Biblical principles. When it involves promoting a self-centered, materialistic mindset that places desires and goals above God’s will, it may be considered sinful.
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Manifesting with Ill Motives
The Bible warns against idolatry and covetousness, where seeking personal gain and success become the focal point of one’s life. In James 4:3, the Bible talks of people who manifest for things with the intention of using them in ways that are contrary to God’s principles. Their ill motives and intentions make their manifestation a sin.
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:3
This verse highlights the importance of examining your intentions and motives behind your desires. If your manifestation efforts are solely driven by selfish desires and worldly pursuits, it may lead you away from God’s plan for your life.
For instance, if you are trusting God for financial breakthroughs so that you can take pride in yourself and look down on others, then this manifestation is a sin. If you plan to use what you want God to give you to mistreat and oppress others, it is a sin. The question is, what do you want to do with what you are trusting God for? Are you planning to honor God through the blessings that you want Him to bestow on you? Your answer to these questions should tell you if your manifestations are right or wrong.
Manifesting to Thwart God’s Plan
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2
No human has the power to disrupt the original plan of God and His perfect will. If you are manifesting with the intention of disrupting God’s plan for someone or to wittily effect things to work in your favor, you are doing it wrong. We may be desperate to get that promotion or to win over someone to love us, but we cannot alter God’s will. You may want to control important aspects of your life through manifestation, but you must acknowledge the plan of God for your life.
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Furthermore, there are seasons of life that you cannot escape however much you try to manifest for the good ones. You cannot evade or ignore phases of life and their trials through manifestation. However, you can trust that God will grant you the grace and the strength to navigate through them all.
Conclusion
Inasmuch as manifestation may be good if done with the right motives, it is important to recognize that God is all-powerful and He is the one who makes all things possible. He is the one who gives, blesses, and protects. We can talk to Him through prayer, praise, and Bible study, and He will meet the desires of our hearts. Let us not let manifestation fool us into believing that we are equal to God or that we can be the masters of our destinies. Our lives are in God’s hands, and He is the only Master of our lives.
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