"THE SECRET" - (also known as the LAW OF ATTRACTION) - The Secret — and its focus on achieving wealth — goes directly against the teachings of the Bible. The primary error of “The Secret” or law of attraction is its view, or lack thereof, of God. In the law of attraction, God is nothing more than a universal energy force that we manipulate by our thoughts and feelings. The law of attraction assumes a pantheistic view of God. The Secret denies the ideas of a personal God and a sovereign God. The core message of “The Secret” is that we are in control of our own destiny - God knows the truth to be very different - "The Secret" also known as the “law of attraction,” is the idea that because of our connection with a “universal energy force,” our thoughts and feelings have the ability to manipulate this energy force to our liking. According to “The Secret,” our thoughts and feelings attract a corresponding energy to ourselves. If our thoughts are negative, we attract negative things. If our feelings are positive, we attract positive things. The essential message of “The Secret” is that we all have the power to determine our own destiny. We can all create our own reality. Through fully and consistently applying the “law of attraction,” we can be who we want to be and have everything we want to have. As with most other popular ideas, “The Secret” has a nugget of truth that is expanded to unbiblical and illogical extremes.

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"The Secret"

(also known as the “law of attraction”)

What is “The Secret”?

What is the law of attraction?"
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The Secret — and its focus on achieving wealth — goes directly against the teachings of the Bible. The primary error of “The Secret” or law of attraction is its view, or lack thereof, of God. In the law of attraction, God is nothing more than a universal energy force that we manipulate by our thoughts and feelings. The law of attraction assumes a pantheistic view of God. The Secret denies the ideas of a personal God and a sovereign God. The core message of “The Secret” is that we are in control of our own destiny - God knows the truth to be very different

Got Questions Ministries

"The Secret" also known as the “law of attraction,” is the idea that because of our connection with a “universal energy force,” our thoughts and feelings have the ability to manipulate this energy force to our liking.

According to “The Secret,” our thoughts and feelings attract a corresponding energy to ourselves.

If our thoughts are negative, we attract negative things.

If our feelings are positive, we attract positive things.

The essential message of “The Secret” is that we all have the power to determine our own destiny.

We can all create our own reality.

Through fully and consistently applying the “law of attraction,” we can be who we want to be and have everything we want to have.

Is there any truth to “The Secret”?

Is there any validity to the law of attraction?

As with most other popular ideas, “The Secret” has a nugget of truth that is expanded to unbiblical and illogical extremes.

For example, a thesis of the law of attraction is that our physical health is determined by our thoughts and feelings.

It has been medically proven that stress and worry are harmful to the body, while joy and peace actually aid in the healing process.

The Bible agrees, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (Proverbs 15:30).

As David was struggling with the guilt of his unconfessed, evil actions, he declared, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” (Psalm 32:3).

Our thoughts and feelings do have an impact on our physical well-being. 
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However, this is due to how God designed our bodies… not because of our connection with a universal energy force and our negativity or positivity attracting negative or positive physical symptoms.

A second error in the “law of attraction” is its emphasis on money and wealth.

The Bible has much to say regarding wealth and the management of money and resources.

Proverbs 13:11 exclaims, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

Similarly, Proverbs 17:16 proclaims, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?”

Our financial success is determined by our decisions, our hard work, and our wise stewardship of what we have.

No matter how positive our thoughts and how focused our mind is on wealth, if we have built mountains of debt, the bills will continue to come (Proverbs 22:7).

The only impact the secret of “positive thinking” can have on our financial situation is in motivating us to work harder and spend more wisely.

The Secret — and its focus on achieving wealth — goes directly against the teachings of the Bible. Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the Bible, observed, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

Jesus, who possessed everything, warned us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

First Timothy 6:10 could not say it any more clearly, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

With that said, the primary error of “The Secret” / law of attraction is its view, or lack thereof, of God.

In the law of attraction, God, if He even exists, is nothing more than a universal energy force that we manipulate by our thoughts and feelings.

The law of attraction assumes a pantheistic (God is everything) view of God.

The Secret denies the ideas of a personal God (with thoughts, feelings, and emotions) and a sovereign God (omnipotent and omniscient, perfectly in control of everything).

The core message of “The Secret” is that we are in control of our own destiny.

God knows the truth to be very different, “… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).

Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest king of ancient Babylon and a prime candidate for someone who would know “The Secret,” declared, “Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: ‘What have you done?’” (Daniel 4:34-35).

According to the proponents of the law of attraction, we are all “incarnations of God.”

We are all our own gods, able to create our own reality, able to control our own destiny. This lie is not a secret, and it is nothing new.

Satan’s primary temptation has always been to obtain knowledge and thereby to become like God, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…” (Genesis 3:5).

Satan’s own fall from glory was this same error, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

The message of “The Secret” is the same message that Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve into sin: “You do not need God… you can be God!”

Satan will fail in his quest to be God (Isaiah 14:15; Revelation 20:10).

So too will all those who seek to be their own god will fail: “'You are "gods" … but you will die like mere men…” (Psalm 82:6-7).

The true “secret” is that God is in control. God has a sovereign and perfect plan for us.

The key is getting in tune with God, thereby understanding His heart and knowing His will.

Rather than seeking after wealth, fame, power, and pleasure (in which there is nothing but emptiness), we are to seek a relationship with God, allowing Him to place His perfect desires in our heart and mind, conforming our feelings to His – and then granting us the desire of His, and our, hearts.

“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:4-6).

If you have a desire to discover the true secret to a joyous and fulfilling life, please read our article on “What is the way of salvation?”

Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence.
GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.
We will do our best to prayerfully and thoroughly research your question and answer it in a biblically based manner. It is not our purpose to make you agree with us, but rather to point you to what the Bible says concerning your question. You can be assured that your question will be answered by a trained and dedicated Christian who loves the Lord and desires to assist you in your walk with Him. Our writing staff includes pastors, youth pastors, missionaries, biblical counselors, Bible/Christian college students, seminary students, and lay students of God’s Word.

https://www.gotquestions.org/secret-law-attraction.html

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REJOICING IN AFFLICTIONS - When Jesus bore all the sin of the world, He produced the potential of removing real harm from all sin, pain and suffering that we would encounter. This means that whatever evil challenge that confronts us, if we believe, we have the potential of converting that evil into a "friend," or into a blessing not only for ourselves but for others in this fallen world. Paul did not say that he merely endured his suffering and afflictions, but that he actually rejoiced in them and took pleasure in them. His afflictions were actually filling up those afflictions of Christ's that were lacking. Paul also stated that his afflictions were working for the benefit of the Body of Christ, the Church. Jesus paid the entire price for sin on the cross and by His resurrection He applied that to us. In that regard there was nothing lacking. What was and is lacking is what is called vicarious intercession. Our afflictions in some secret way, bring others into the saving knowledge of Jesus and into His Kingdom.

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Afflictions In Life

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Even if we do not sow bad seeds, afflictions and challenges will come. If we are walking close to the Lord Jesus in intimate fellowship with Him, He will give us peace during our challenging times. Paul actually rejoiced in them and took pleasure in them.  Whatever evil challenge that confronts us, we have the potential of converting evil into a "friend," or into a blessing not only for ourselves but for others in this fallen world - all the pain, suffering and affliction become a blessing. 

Larry Chkoreff

International School of the Bible 

It is inevitable that humans will suffer afflictions in life. 

Some people go out of their way to pursue comfort and thus are experienced in avoiding many afflictions, but not so with believers who are committed to obeying and following Jesus. 

While I do not understand everything about why we suffer afflictions and have challenges in our lives, there are some things that I have learned and that I do know.

a.  If we sow bad seeds in our lives, we can suffer unnecessary afflictions.

b.  Even if we do not sow bad seeds, afflictions and challenges will come.

How are we to handle afflictions?
If we are walking close to the Lord Jesus in intimate fellowship with Him, He will give us peace during our challenging times. 

Often, in my life, He will let me know personally that He is aware of what I am going through and is walking with me. That in itself is great comfort!

The secret

Colossians 1:20 – “and by Him [the Father] to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Sin is the cause of pain and suffering in this world. 

However, when Jesus bore all the sin of the world, He produced the potential of removing real harm from all sin, pain and suffering that we would encounter. 

This means that whatever evil challenge that confronts us, if we believe, we have the potential of converting that evil into a "friend," or into a blessing not only for ourselves but for others in this fallen world.

Of course, we are not perfect, but if we continually confess our sin, He continually keeps us clean. 

Therefore, if you believe this, all the pain, suffering and affliction must, by law, become a blessing. 

It is not up to you to predict how the blessing will take place, it is only your task to believe and worship God for His wonderful miracle that took place in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Paul knew about this

Colossians 1:24 - “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Notice that Paul did not say that he merely endured his suffering and afflictions, but that he actually rejoiced in them and took pleasure in them.  Why could he say this?

Paul knew the secret
Notice in Colossians 1:24 above, that Paul said that his afflictions were actually filling up those afflictions of Christ's that were lacking. 

Paul also stated that his afflictions were working for the benefit of the Body of Christ, the Church. How could this be?

While I do not understand everything about this, I do know this, not only by Scripture but also by personal experience. 

Jesus paid the entire price for sin on the cross and by His resurrection He applied that to us. In that regard there was nothing lacking. 

I believe what was and is lacking is what is called vicarious intercession. 

Our afflictions in some secret way, when reconciled, bring others into the saving knowledge of Jesus and into His Kingdom. 

Look at Old Testament Joseph as an example
Joseph suffered greatly at the hands of his brothers and at the hands of the authorities in Egypt while he was a prisoner. 

However somehow Joseph's testimony was, "But God was with me." 

When he was finally delivered from prison and made prime minister over Egypt, he not only was personally delivered and rewarded, but his afflictions caused God's people, all of Israel to be saved. 

That is an example of what our afflictions will do if suffered in faith.

Now look at this entire passage in Colossians in this context.

Colossians 1:19,20,24-27 - “¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
²⁰ and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross

“²⁴ I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

²⁵ of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

²⁷ To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Notice the end result that Paul had in mind through his sufferings, in verse 27. 

He knew that his afflictions would reveal to many that mystery that Christ actually lives in them! 

I submit that often the only way that God can reveal that secret to many is through our afflictions. 

I have some very specific personal testimonies about this that have amazed me!

About International School of the Bible - ISOB

This is to summarize what God is doing through International School of The Bible (ISOB) around the world.  All the Glory goes to God as we watch what He is doing!

Carol Chkoreff and Larry Chkoreff never intended to start a ministry like ISOB.  We were teaching 8th grade Sunday School at Mt. Paran Central and North Church of God since 1983. At the same time we were overcoming very challenging circumstances in our lives.  I ended up writing about our overcoming through God's direction and path for these 8th graders.   I am not especially qualified in education as a writer. I have had no previous experience.  Therefore, any fruit from anything that we have written is totally to the glory of God and from His grace and anointing.  My writing style is not professional; it is rather conversational, geared towards the simple. 

Beginnings.

As we were ministering at Mount Paran Safehouse (downtown Atlanta) in 1994-1996, we were asked to develop discipleship lessons for the homeless people.  As we did that, the Lord spoke an unexpected promise to us through Psalms 68:11.  "The Lord gave the word, great was the host (army) of those that published it."  We had no idea what that meant. But now we do.  Writers write, printers print, but publishers distribute.  The great host of publishers that we see publishing our books, freely of course, "blows our minds!"   These "publishers" are mostly simple pastors in Third World and persecuted nations.

Psalm 68: 12 says, "Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil."  Carol and I have tarried at home, but we have seen the "spoil."  The Mount Paran Central missionary to Ghana, Kingspride Hammond, who also worked at Safehouse while we were there, spoke a prophetic word to me.  He said that our discipleship school for the homeless would someday be called International School of The Bible.  I laughed, sort of like Old Testament Sarah did!

http://isob-bible.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=322