Affirm Truth

AffirmTruth.org is a Christian, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational ministry, based out of Chennai, India.

Month: September 2021

Question: What about the subconscious mind? From what I read in a recent book (The Power of Your Subconscious Mind) explaining about subconscious mind, it clearly states that prayer is a harmonious relationship between our subconscious mind and conscious mind. And we trust and pray to our subconscious mind which is very powerful. We make them God because we humans can’t trust in ourselves after an extend but we can gain more confidence and positivity when we depend on someone who is infallible. The laws and rules we follow can be of social conditioning too??? Not an atheist, just a doubt. A big doubt!!!!

Posted by on in Q&ALeave a comment

A proper definition of the subconscious mind would help at the outset. According to Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the subconscious mind is “the part of your mind that notices and remembers information when you are not actively trying to do so, and influences your behaviour even though you do not realize it.”
Who is God? According to the Bible, a simple explanation would be: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe—the Supreme Being.
The above definitions help us make a proper distinction between our mind and God: Our subconscious mind is part of us and it is us. While God is altogether another Being with His own mind existing outside of us. Books are great if we pick the right ones. Anyone can write anything and self-attest them. We need to find out on what these truth claims are founded or based on. Stating that the human subconscious mind is God doesn’t make much sense when we understand who God really is. As the Creator of all things, He is beyond all created things and cannot be contained within His creation. The book’s statements about prayer must be tested before they’re accepted. There are several claims about prayer, mind, subconscious mind & God that are problematic and even contradictory.

Consider this claim: “we trust and pray to our subconscious mind which is very powerful” 

Response: The author seems to generalize the concept of prayer as if everybody prays to their own subconscious mind. In prayer, people often tend to reach out to a “higher power” for help and clarity. As Christians, we pray to the eternal God knowing and believing that with Him, all things are possible. We don’t pray to ourselves (subconscious mind).

Claim: “we make them God because we humans can’t trust in ourselves” 

Does this not contradict the previous claim? Why do humans pray to their own subconscious mind when they can’t trust themselves? Since humans can’t trust themselves and are fallible (from the author’s own statements), our only safest and trustworthy option is the infallible Word of God— the Bible! We would encourage you to take God’s Word over man’s word. Many worldviews have their own theory about prayer. According to Bible, prayer takes many forms. But prayer at its simplest is “talking with God.” Prayer can go beyond this but it is never less than this. In the Bible, Jesus promises to answer the prayers of those who put their faith in Him because He is loving and almighty!

Here are few other ideas from Joseph Murphy’s book, “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind,” which are not logically correct:

1) You Receive Answers To Prayer Because Of Mental Acceptance About What You Pray 
‣ We don’t receive answers to prayer by accepting what we pray for. We receive answers by putting our faith in God who alone is capable of helping us with our needs. For example, I mentally accept that my body has a sickness but I am in no position to heal it. My brain cannot heal it.  Or what if our brain also has a sickness? Then who will provide the answer? So my faith must be based on Someone beyond my physical limitation—God, my Creator!

2) Your Subconscious Mind Has The Answer To All Your Problems
‣ No, it does not. If that were the case, we should be having our problems solved in our sleep. But in reality, we end up with many issues in life when we work with our conscious mind, our behaviours get deposited into our subconscious mind which in turn converts those behaviours into habits. In this way, our subconscious mind gets influenced and corrupted. Now, do we want to put our trust in something corrupt?

3) Faith Is The Only Universal Healing Principle Operating Through Everybody
‣ Murphy says in the book “faith is created by accessing and harnessing the power of our subconscious minds. Illness, physical ailments, and even traumatic experiences can be healed by repeatedly submitting thoughts of healing to our subconscious minds. “It is very important to understand the foundation of our faith—what is our faith based on? On God who is infallible or on our fallible self? Murphy points us inward. But we are not the source of our healing. Even with the best of medical science, humans are still desperately struggling with various sicknesses from Cancer to Covid.
‣ But in the Bible, God declares in Exodus 15:26 “…I am the Lord who heals you.” In fact, one of the other names of Biblical God is ‘Jehovah Rapha’ (the God who heals). We are called to put our faith in God for your healing. When we understand the evidence and facts that show us the validity of the Bible,  it can help us trust what the Bible says about prayer better. Everyone can have different opinions about it, everyone can have their own convictions and self-made truths. However, this doesn’t affect the quality of the truth. And of course, truth is not affected by our surroundings, traditions, cultures, or social trends. It is constant. Truth is exclusive, and it cannot be altered with time. Prayer is a conversation with our Creator God and not a mind game. It’s a dialogue and not just us constantly talking to our minds without any response from the other end. God witnesses Himself to us through miracles and wonders in life so that our faith in Him is strengthened. He is not a figment of our mind but rather the One who created it along with everything else we see and beyond.

Claim: “The laws and rules we follow can be of social conditioning too??”
Response: This is a very broad statement. Yes, there are laws and rules that we have created for ourselves in society (social conditioning). Ex. Legal laws (Indian Penal Code), Labour laws (work ethics), Traffic rules etc. Can you imagine a society without these in place? As history has proven, a lawless society will break down into chaos. So God allows these rules to be instituted to help regulate human behaviour. These laws help people understand what is right and wrong. But these laws can vary across societies. However, there are also moral laws given by God in the Bible which is universally binding and unchanging just like His nature (Ex. the 10 commandments in Exodus 20). The problem with mankind is disobedience to God’s Laws. God is the ultimate Law Giver and His Laws reflect His perfect character. We are by nature lawbreakers as history repeatedly proves. In the Garden of Eden, God gave only one commandment to Adam and Eve and they broke it (first sin). Then God had to give 10 more commandments because sins have already begun to multiply. In total, the Old Testament contains 613 commandments (Mosaic Law). God considers breaking one commandment as amounting to breaking all of it (James 2:10)! So, is there any hope for us? Thanks be to God! He has provided His Son Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life on our behalf and taken up our own punishment upon Him on the cross. If we put our faith in Him, God has promised to forgive us of all our lawlessness (sins).

In conclusion, prayer must always involve at least two persons—there is the one who prays (us) and there is the other who receives the prayer (God). Just as conversations with people help build our relationship with them. Prayer helps us to connect with God intimately. This is the chief purpose of prayer—to grow in our relationship with God. 

Laws and rules have good purposes and are meant to maintain order in society. Human laws are imperfect. But God’s laws are perfect. They provide light to our path and life to our soul. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus summed up the entire Old Testament Laws in these two statements: 1-Love your God with all your heart, soul and mind. 2-Love your neighbour as yourself. Humans have the habit of breaking laws. And we always tend to find a way to escape punishment for breaking civil laws in society. But we cannot escape from God for breaking His commandments in the Bible.  God has fixed a day in the future (2 Corinthians 5:10) to justly deal with all lawbreakers. But for now, God is extending a lifeline, offering mercy to all lawbreakers who believe in His Son Jesus Christ.

Thank you for writing to us with your questions. We hope this clarifies some things for you. You are always welcome to reach out to us in your continued pursuit of truth.

Regards
AFFIRM Truth

ONE is enough for me

Posted by on in Blog Post5 Comments

As consumers we all expect variety. We don’t completely depend on a single store for all commodities because it may not have the best of all categories. For example, we have a favorite store for clothes, shoes, another for groceries and so on.

But is it really wise to find different sources for our spiritual needs as well? Today we have a variety of choices there too. Some are attractive at least from the outset and some are unfortunately bizarre. Some sources stand on the foundation of certain principles, cultures, locations or heritages while others on public figures of so called spiritual gurus.

But fortunately for me, there is this ONE person I can turn to – the One true God! There is no need for a second option because there is no better choice. He is The best I could and will sought after. And we will try to find out just why.

God by definition is The Supreme being, Creator and Ruler of the Universe.

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God (Elohim – the Triune God) created the heavens and the earth.

So, if our needs are within the heavens and the Earth (emotional, physical, material, spiritual) then we can know for sure who to go to – its Creator – God!

God cannot be specific only to a particular area or domain. If we believe that there is a God then He is an infinite being who created all other finite beings that are under His sovereign control. He is not a part of this creation but beyond it. If I say god is everything around me and everything in the universe is god then isn’t that contradicting the very meaning of God? How can there be more than one infinite being? So, if God is this one Supreme being then:

Why would I turn to many gods? When I can have a relationship with the One true God Himself, I don’t need to go to one god for provision, another for protection, yet another for healing and so on. God should be able to suffice all my needs.

Why would I turn to saints to intercede for me?

To start with who is a saint? According to the Bible every believer is a saint or in other words every person who is sanctified by Jesus’ finished work on the cross and set apart for God is a saint.(Romans 1:7,1Corinthains 1:2) In some denominations we see particular disciples and others given undue attention and they become objects of prayer and devotion. This is not biblical since giving a person such attention that he/she be made a mediator between the Father and us is an act of idolatry because Jesus is our only mediator as clearly given in the scriptures. In fact, the reason Jesus died was so  that we may have direct access to the throne of God the Father. When I turn to any other human being, I disregard the sacrifice that Christ took on for me. There is only One mediator between God the Father and all of mankind – Jesus Christ. When I bow down to any other I am consciously or subconsciously an idolater because prayer is directed only to God.

Or is my Father in heaven like a strict earthly father beyond approach that someone should recommend for me?

We also find this kind of intercessory prayers made through Mary, the mother of Jesus. They say it is just like how we would ask our mother for something instead of asking the father directly. This is yet another heresy that is prevalent. Our God is perfect and cannot be compared to the flawed characteristics of an earthly father. I need no introduction or recommendation to the One who created me and knew me even before I was born(Psalm 139:15-16). His love for me exceeds any other. Mary was blessed to have been able to give birth to Jesus but she is by no means a deity. She had other sons and daughters after Jesus was born just like a normal woman. ( Mathew 13:55-56) She calls God her savior just like He is our savior.(Luke 1:47)

When we have Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father and interceding for each one of us, we don’t need anyone else to do this task. (Romans 8:34)

We should respect people who have lived out a life of faith and learn good lessons from their lives (both failures and successes). But none is perfect that we may pray to them or worship them. Christ alone can save us and not any human being. Our example to follow is and will always remain Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:5 – 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Right! So, I just pray to this God and I get everything I want?

No, it’s not like God keeps giving you everything you want. But rather when you have a true relationship with this Almighty God, you lack nothing. You find your purpose in life and everything you need is taken care of within this wholesome relationship. 

In the old testament we see many names given to God in worship and adoration by different people at different instances. These names, unlike today, had great significance and described a particular attribute of God as revealed to these people.

We too can pray claiming these attributes of God over our life situations.

Although God is more than any name could ever contain, these names help us understand and experience certain aspects of God’s character in our lives.

Below are few of the names of God and instances where it has been used in the Bible:

  1. El Shaddai – Lord God Almighty

God specializes in impossibilities. When He says “Yes” there is nothing that can change it. Faith in God’s faithfulness is what you need to see the fulfilment of God’s promises.

Genesis 17:1 – When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.

  1. El Roi– The God who sees me

Ever felt like you were invisible to the world around you? He is the God who sees you no matter where you try to hide yourself. Call on Him because His eyes are watching over you and

Genesis 16:16 – She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen[a] the One who sees me.”

  1. Jehovah Raah  – The Lord My Shepherd

When you follow the good shepherd, you will lack nothing. Even if you wander away, He will come in search of you. The good shepherd lays His life down for the sheep. Jesus is our good shepherd and in Him we have everything we need – protection, provision and guidance.

Psalm 23:1 -The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

  1. Jehovah Rapha – The Lord That Heals

God who can heal both our body from sickness and our soul from sin. I have experienced His healing in my body in a second. The same God who healed me can heal you too if you have faith in Him.

Exodus 15:26 – 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

  1. Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness

Our righteousness comes from God and not by any of our own deeds. The blood of Jesus cleanses us of all our sins and makes us righteous before the Father. So, don’t condemn yourself but repent before God and exchange your shame for His righteousness.

Jeremiah 23:6 – In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.
 

  1. Qanna – jealous, zealous, or envy

The fundamental meaning relates to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel’s husband. He is a jealous God, wanting all our praise for Himself and no one else. When we distribute the worship that only God deserves among other man-made gods and saints we are committing idolatry.

Exodus 20:5 – 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

  1. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide

When we have exhausted our resources and strength, He provides for those who call on Him. He makes sure they have enough in times of need. In His perfect time, He will provide beautifully. We need to trust and wait on Him to see the miracle.

Genesis 22:14 – 4 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

  1. Jehovah Shalom – Prince of Peace

He is the God who calms the storm with a word. He can give you peace amidst the chaos. In His presence we find peace that is beyond our understanding. Our peace rests on the fact that God is in control.

Judges 6:24 – 24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

  1. Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts

The Lord of angel armies who goes before and behind us is our Protector from the evil one. Even when we are alone, He is with us. Where no man can reach out to us, God is still with us. No wall is too thick for God to come through if you call on Him earnestly.

Isaiah 47:4 – 4 As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

And so, One God is enough for me. I don’t have to run between different gods for my different needs. And this privilege is freely available to you if you believe in Jesus and accept Him as your personal Lord and savior. He is enough!