Oprah and Romans 1

Romans 1:18-22

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor where they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools."

Last Friday I had the chance to go out shopping with my mom for my birthday present. On the way there she was telling me about the Oprah show that she and my dad had watched a day or two before. The main guest was a woman who was promoting her book called "The Secret", for she had found out the secret to a happy and fulfilled life. She was pointing out that people who are constently looking for bad things in their lives are going to find them because they put forth negitive energy. For example; if you start out your day thinking and saying to yourself that it is going to be aweful, it will be because you are looking for it. She said that if you want to be the best you you have to ask for it, believe that you will get it, and finally receive it. Another example; if you really want a raise ask for it, really believe that you will get it, and finally receive your raise. If you put forth positive energy you will receive positivity. My mom continued on saying that after a few minutes that my dad wanted to change it. My mom questioned him and asking him why, he replied, you really believe in this? My mom told me that through out the program scripture kept on popping up in her mind and so how could it be bad. My mind was racing, how do I respond to this, without getting too upset and trying to thread the gospel into my response. I started tell that they were basically teaching carma, that everything has it's own energy and how we need to respect everyone's energy, and how that is basically Hinduism mixed with New Age beliefs. She asked me why that is when asking, believing and receiving is a biblical principle. I told her that this particular principle is only in regards to salvation, and even in salvation there is more to it then ask, believing and receiving. Sean Higgins had said in one of his sermons that the act of salvation is so simple and so complexed at the same time. Asking, believing and receiving is only a small part, there is also repentence of sin, and turning from your sin. I told my mom that the principle was taken out of context and why context was important. She continued on about how inspiring the program was. By this time I was starting to become upset, so I quickly changed the subject. As I thought through it more and dicussed it later with Curtis over dinner it dawned on me that even if they were using biblical principles, they were not mentioning the Bible or God, He was taken out of the equation so that man might get the glory rather than God. Then I thought of Romans 1 "although they knewe God they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools." This has been one of the first times where I had seen this scripture play out right before my eyes, and it was horrifying. It is my prayer that God would come quickly to gather His sheep or lighten the darkened hearts of those who are lost.