The Dark Side of Spiritual Trends: Astrology, Manifestation, Yoga & More

Unmasking the Spiritual Dangers of Popular Trends: Astrology, Sage, Yoga, Manifestation, and Marijuana

In this eye-opening episode, we uncover the spiritual roots and potential consequences of popular trends like astrology, sage burning, yoga, manifestation, and marijuana. From astrological signs to the practice of smudging, many of these activities have deep connections to ancient pagan and occult practices, posing risks that are often overlooked. By turning to scripture, we explore what the Bible says about these practices and why it's crucial to seek God's guidance and healing. We also delve into the dangers of manifestation and discuss how marijuana can become a spiritual trap. Learn how to safeguard your spiritual well-being and find true peace and freedom through Jesus Christ. #SpiritualAwareness #AstrologyTruth #HealThroughJesus #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #SageBurning #YogaDangers #ManifestationDebunked #MarijuanaTruth #FaithJourney #BiblicalTeaching #SpiritualFreedom #NewAgePractices #ChristianLiving #GodsWill #AvoidOccult #TruePeace #JesusIsEnough #BreakSpiritualChains #FaithOverFear #SpiritualHealth #SpiritualWarfare #HolySpirit #ChristianFaith #TruthRevealed #BiblicalWisdom #GodsPlan #HealingThroughFaith #BiblicalTruth #christianpodcast #newpodcast 

00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Trends

00:42 The Truth About Astrology

05:50 The Spiritual Dangers of Burning Sage

10:41 Unpacking the Roots of Yoga

15:02 Manifestation: Positive Thinking or Playing God?

19:18 Marijuana: A Plant, a Medicine, or a Spiritual Trap?

26:08 Conclusion and Prayer

Transcript

Unmasking the Spiritual Dangers of Popular Trends: Astrology, Sage, Yoga, Manifestation, and Marijuana
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[00:00:00] 


Introduction to Spiritual Trends
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Hey everyone, and welcome to this eye opening episode where we dive into the roots of some of today's most popular spiritual trends, astrology, sage, yoga, manifestation, and even marijuana. A lot of these things are marketed as harmless, healing, or even empowering, but have we ever stopped to ask where they really came from and more importantly, what are we opening ourselves up to when we participate in them?


The Truth About Astrology
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Today we're starting with astrology, one of the most normalized and glamorized spiritual tools in our culture. It's everywhere on apps and social media bios, on clothing, and in daily routines. People [00:01:00] read horoscopes or even talk about being a Virgo or a Leo, like it's second nature, but here's the truth.

Astrology didn't start with Buzzfeed quizzes or CoStar notifications. It started with missile patia, deeply rooted in pagan worship and a cult practice. Historians and archeologists have traced astrology. Back to the Babylonians, Sumerians, and Asurion. Long before the time of Christ, these early civilizations believed that the stars and planets were controlled by God.

And by tracing them, they could gain divine insight into people's lives. Sounds familiar. That same belief system forms the foundation of today's Zodiac signs. But here's the [00:02:00] problem. The gods they worshiped weren't just harmless mythological characters according to the Bible. These so-called gods were actually demonic spirits in the spirit rim.

This wasn't entertainment. It was a form of divination, something God clearly warns us to avoid. And Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 10 through 12, it says, let no one be found among you who practice divination. Our sorcery interprets, omen. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. And Isaiah chapter 47, verse 13 through 14 says, let your astrologers come forward.

Those stargazers who make predictions, [00:03:00] surely they are stubble. The fire will burn them up. Astrology might seem fun or even accurate, but that's part of the deception as biblical archeologists, Jennifer Gutta puts it. When we align ourself with a zodiac sign like saying, I'm a Scorpio, or I'm a Gemini, we're spiritually agreeing with something far deeper.

It's called a soul tie. That's when you form a spiritual connection with the entity, and in this case, those entities trace back to false gods also known as demons. Think about it. You might just be reading your horoscope, but in the spiritual realm, that agreement gives dark forces permission to influence your thoughts, emotions, even your [00:04:00] identity.

But here's what the Bible says about your identity. In Genesis chapter one, verse 27, it says, you were curated in the image of God. Psalms 1 39 14 says, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. And Isaiah chapter 64, verse eight says, we are the clay and God is the potter. You weren't born under a star sign, you were crafted by the creator of the universe on purpose for a purpose.

Astrology is just one of the many spiritual systems today that package the occult as personal development, but we're here to expose that. This podcast is more about spiritual awareness, freedom, and helping you see the full picture. So if you ever wonder, [00:05:00] is astrology really that serious or.

Can I just take what's good and ignore the rest? I'm here to tell you in the spirit realm, agreement is agreement. There is no such thing as dabbling without consequences, but there's also no such thing as gone too far. If you made a connection. To astrology or any other spiritual system, there's a way out through Jesus.

You can break every tie, every permission, and every affluence. That's not from God. First John chapter one, verse nine says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from our own righteousness. 


The Spiritual Dangers of Burning Sage
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Astrology often works together with other spiritual practices, one of the most common being burning sage.

. All [00:06:00] right, let's talk about something a lot of people are doing right now. Burning sage, also known as smudging. You see people using it to cleanse energy from a room. Get rid of bad vibes. Our bring peace into a space is trendy, smells good, and it's all over social media. But here's the question we need to ask.

Where did this practice come from and what does God actually say about it? Sage is an herb. Yes. Just a plant, and it's been around forever. It's great in cooking and it even has some health benefits, but burning sage as a spiritual ritual, that's something different. That practice didn't come from scripture.

It came from Native American ceremonies and pagan traditions. Where people believed they could connect with spirits and purify [00:07:00] themselves by burning sacred herbs like sage, cedar, and sweet grass. Now. Okay, here's where it gets serious. Smudging isn't just cultural, it's deeply spiritual. And those original ceremonies, they believe the smoke could communicate with the spirit rim.

The smoke wasn't just for air freshening, it was a tool to invite spirits and our drive others out. People believed each element. Fire, water, earth, and air played a role in curating harmony with nature and the spirit world. That might sound peaceful, but as believers, we know that not all spirits come from God.

In fact, scripture gives us a clear warning about this stuff. Leviticus chapter 19 verse 31 says, [00:08:00] do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritualists. For you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. And in Deuteronomy chapter 18, God flat out tells his people to avoid all forms of divination, sorcery, omens, or attempts to communicate with the dead.

That includes burning things to attract or banish spirits. Some people try to make it seem okay by saying, well. Incense is in the Bible, and yes it is. God did command incense to be burned in the Old Testament, but here's the difference. It was done in a very Pacific way for a holy purpose in worship to him alone.

Exodus chapter 30 is clear. You should not use that incense formula for yourself. It [00:09:00] is holy to Lord. So no, God never said to burn sage in your living room to get rid of bad energy. That's just not biblical. Let's be real. Burning sage for spiritual reasons is just another way. The enemy is sneaking new age belief into people's lives.

It replaces prayers with rituals and faith in God, with faith in smoke, and that's dangerous. Now if you're just using sage, the flavor, some chicken. You're good. It is not the plant that's the issue. It's the purpose behind it. Smudging is a ritual rooted in trying to manipulate the spiritual realm without God.

That's the heart of witchcraft, even if it's the disguised itself care, our good vibes. But the truth is we [00:10:00] don't need smoke to protect us. We have the holy. Spirit who already fights for us. We have the name of Jesus, which casts out every evil spirit. We have prayer, which actually connects us to the creator of the universe.

Psalms chapter 46, verse one says, God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. So if you're feeling stressed, anxious, or spiritually attacked, don't reach for sage, reach for scripture, reach for prayer. Reach for God because he is all you need. 


Unpacking the Roots of Yoga
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Next we're diving into yoga. Another one of those feel good practices with deep spiritual roots, but in stretching your body, also stretching your soul into something dangerous.

Let's break it down. All right, let's keep going. We just unpacked the truth [00:11:00] about sage and smudging, and now we're moving into something even more common.

Yoga. Chances are you've either done yoga or you know someone who swears by it is in churches, gyms, apps, and even schools. It's marketed as peaceful healing. And a great workout, but once again, where did it come from and what does it actually mean? Let's clear something up first. Yoga didn't start as an exercise, it started as a spiritual discipline and ancient Hinduism, the word yoga actually means to yoke or to unite specifically to unite yourself with the universe conscious or to a Hindu God, Braman.

So right off the bat. Yoga is not neutral. It was created for worship and spiritual awakening, not weight [00:12:00] loss. each pose in yoga from the downward dog. I. To the Lotus isn't just about stretching. It was designed to honor, or imitate Hindu deities, for example. The Sun Salu isn't just a warmup.

It's a ritual greeting to the sun. God, Shura, let that sink in. Now, some people may say, well. I'm not worshiping anything. I'm just doing it for the stretch. But here's the deal. In the spiritual realm, intention doesn't cancel participation. You can be engaging with something dangerous without even realizing it.

The Bible says in one Corinthians chapter 10. Verse 20 through 21, the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. You cannot [00:13:00] drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. That means we can't mix worship. Of the one true God with practices rooted in false religion, even if it feels harmless, just like burning sage is not about the stretch or the scent, it's about the source and the spirit behind it.

In Romans chapter 12. First one through two. It says, tell us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and not to be conformed to the patterns of this world. , If we're using our body in a spiritual practice that came from idol worship, that's a serious issue. Yoga isn't just stretching, it's a spiritual system that opens doors even if we don't think they're opening.

So what do we do instead? [00:14:00] If you wanna stretch, stretch. If you wanna relax, breathe, rest, take care of your body, but you don't need to attach it to a practice rooted. In Hinduism to feel peace. Peace doesn't come from a pose. Peace comes from a person, and his name is Jesus. Philippians, chapter four, verse seven.

It says, the peace of God. What surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. You don't need a yoga mat. Find peace. You need the word of God in the Holy Spirit. Don't yolk yourself to a system that was built to unite people with false gods. Instead, yolk yourself to Jesus.

Who said in Matthew chapter 11 verse 29, take my yoke upon you and learn from me and you will find rest for your [00:15:00] souls. 


Manifestation: Positive Thinking or Playing God?
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Up next manifestation.

. Okay, now let's get into another big one. Manifestation. This has become huge in the last few years. You hear it all over TikTok and songs on vision boards, and even from some celebrities speak it into existence. The universe will bring it. To you are what you think you attract, but is manifestation just positive thinking or is there something more going on?

Here's the truth. Manifestation is not new. It's rooted in ancient, a core and new age. Belief. At its core manifestation is the idea that you can create. Your own reality by thinking, speaking and visualizing something enough times until it happens. Sounds empowering, [00:16:00] right? But here's the catch. It's also a direct replacement for trusting in God's will.

In other words, manifestation is really just trying to play God. But let's ask this. Who's really in control of your life? Is it you? Your words are the universe or is it God who made you knows you and holds your future? The Bible says in Proverbs chapter 19, verse 21, many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails.

That verse alone flips the whole manifestation, move on its head because we plan, speak and visualize all day long. But if it's not in God's will. It is not going to last. And if it is in God's will, we don't need to [00:17:00] force it into existence. We just need to walk in obedience and let him bring it in.

His timing Manifestation puts the power in the person, but the Bible says all power belongs to God. Psalms chapter 62, verse 11 says, power belongs to you God Also. Have you noticed that manifestation also uses spiritual language without mentioning Jesus? People say things like the universe. Energy alignment, our speaking things into being.

That's because a lot of it is rooted in new, a spirituality, not scripture. It's repackaging all the same lie the enemy told Eve in the garden. You could be like God. The enemy has always wanted people to believe that [00:18:00] they can control their own destiny without God. , But that kind of power is not freedom. It's deception. Now listen, God does call us to pray bold prayers. To believe for things to ask in faith, but the difference is this faith is rooted in God's will, not our own. James chapter four, verse 15 says, instead you ought to say, if it's the Lord will, we will live and do this or that.

And let's be real. Sometimes the things we're trying to manifest are things God is protecting us from. So instead of trying to manifest our future, we should be asking God to reveal his will. We shouldn't be speaking things into existence. We should be speaking his word over our lives and surrendering our desires to him.

Because at the [00:19:00] end of the day, he's not just a power source to be tapped into. He is the Lord, and our job isn't to command the universe. It is to obey the creator of it. That brings us to our final topic. 


Marijuana: A Plant, a Medicine, or a Spiritual Trap?
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Marijuana, a plant, a medicine, or a spiritual trap. Let's unpack what's really going on with weed and why so many people are using it as a coping tool without realizing what it opens up.

Now. This one is really close to my heart because I too have struggled with it. Many people view marijuana as a way to relax, manage stress, or even spiritually connect, but let me tell you, from my own experience, it's much deeper than that. For a long time, I used [00:20:00] marijuana to escape the pressure of life.

I thought it helped me cope with stress. With anxiety and even with spiritual questions I was wrestling with, and let me be real with you, I found temporary relief. It worked for a while, but in that time I wasn't just dealing with my issues. I was hiding from them. When I eventually decided to seek God and give it up, it wasn't easy.

Breaking free from marijuana wasn't a quick fix. It was a struggle. It felt like I was breaking free from something that had a hold on me, something I didn't even fully understand until I looked back. And when I did finally get free, I realized something. It wasn't just marijuana that I had been dealing with.

I have been using it to numb a whole mountain of other issues, [00:21:00] unresolved pain, deep seated fears, anxiety, and even bitterness that I didn't even know was there. The Bible says in First Corinthians chapter six, verse 12, I have the right to do anything you say, but not everything is beneficial.

I have the right to do anything. But I will not be mastered by anything. and marijuana in my life. Had become something that was mastering me. It wasn't just about getting high, it was about using it to deal with things I didn't wanna face.

But when I truly began to surrender to God and let him heal me, I saw that marijuana was just a symptom of a much deeper spiritual issue. That only he could fix. God wasn't just asking me to [00:22:00] give up the habit. He was calling me to confront hidden pain and the emotional wounds that have been that I have been covering up for so long.

Let me tell you. When I finally got to the place of surrender, God set me free, and he didn't just take away the desire for marijuana, he healed me from the inside out. He gave me a peace that I had been desperately searching for. Not through a substance, but through his spirit. And that piece is something that no drug, no high, no escape could ever offer.

But I'm not here to say it was easy. Giving up marijuana was a process. It was a struggle, but God's grace is sufficient and through prayer community and his word, he led me through it. And once I was free, I could see so clearly. [00:23:00] Marijuana didn't just serve as a temporary escape from the pain. It was a barrier that kept me from facing what I needed to heal from.

And in that healing, I found true freedom that only comes through Christ. Now don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal. Marijuana is a plant and there's a lot of talk about its benefits. Some use it for a pain release, some for anxiety, some for sleep. But I wanna share with you what I've learned through my journey.

No matter what we're struggling with, whether it is marijuana or anything else, the real peace we're looking for is found in Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Philippians chapter four, six through seven. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with [00:24:00] Thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God didn't cor us. To numb out our struggles with substances. He created us to turn to him with our pain, our worries, our fears, and he promises that his peace will guard our hearts. When I struggled with marijuana, I wasn't turning to something temporary, something that couldn't heal me, but when I turn to God.

He gave me the peace and healing that lasts forever. Now, I know that it's not easy. You might be dealing with something similar today, something you're using to mass deeper issues are emotional pain. But what I want to encourage you. God is bigger than [00:25:00] any substance, bigger than any struggle you're facing.

He has the power to set you free, just like he did for me. And when he set you free, it is not just about quitting a habit, it's about getting to the root of what you're running from and letting God heal that part of you. So what's the takeaway? God wants to free us from anything that has a hold on us, including marijuana, so we can experience his peace and healing.

Marijuana might offer temporary relief, but it can heal the deeper wounds that only God can touch. Don't let a substance become your escape. Instead. Turn to God for true peace, comfort, and freedom. Healing might be a process, but with God, all things are possible. And remember, you are not [00:26:00] alone in this struggle.

Turn to God and he will meet you right where you are and lead you into freedom. 


Conclusion and Prayer
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I hope today's episode has given you something to think about. Whether you're struggling with marijuana or any other issues in your life, don't let anything. Anything have control over your life. But God, if you're dealing with pain, stress, or anxiety, remember that God is the only true source of peace.

Lean into him. He is faithful to set you free. And thank you so much for listening. Before I go, I wanna definitely pray, Lord. We come to you in the name of Jesus and we just wanna say thank you now, God, for , opening us up to the truth of your ways and your knowledge and revealing the origins of how these things have came into our life, Lord.

'cause [00:27:00] we know that there is freedom in the truth, Lord, and there is bondage and a lie. So right now, God, I am praying that everyone who's listens, eyes and ears will be open and up. To the knowledge that they just heard, Lord. So that way they can be set free and that way they can know that the peace, the love, and true freedom is with you Lord.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. All right, y'all have a great day.