New Age or Biblical? The Truth About Manifestation
The concept of “manifestation” is everywhere, from social media influencers to everyday conversations. Declared Cambridge Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year, its cultural relevance cannot be ignored. But beneath its trendiness lies a deeper question: What does manifestation truly mean? And more importantly, is it a practice aligned with light or darkness?
In a recent Charisma Media video, three prominent voices in Christian ministry—Joseph Z, Alan DiDio and Pastor Brian Gibson—unpacked the spiritual implications of manifestation. Their insights reveal a stark divide between practices rooted in biblical truth and those veering into New Age or even demonic realms.
Joseph Z: Discernment in the Spirit Realm
Joseph Z provided a sobering perspective on the visible and invisible forces at play. “The natural world is an extension of the spirit world,” he explained, cautioning against blindly embracing cultural trends. He warned of “two forms of deviant prophetic voices” that are manifesting in this era: one like John the Baptist, which challenges and calls for repentance, and another “prophesying out of their own soul… ideology and worldview.”
This dichotomy underscores the need for spiritual discernment. While manifestation may appear innocuous, the power behind it must be scrutinized. As Z noted, “even Satan can appear as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
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Alan DiDio: Creating Space for the Holy Spirit
Alan DiDio highlighted the church’s role in reclaiming the concept of manifestation. “What if the church got a hold of that word and said we are going to create an atmosphere conducive to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit?” he asked. He emphasized the superiority of God’s power over the demonic forces we face, declaring, “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.”
For DiDio, manifestation rooted in biblical truth involves faith and surrender to God’s will. It’s not about affirming personal desires but aligning with God’s divine plan. As he put it, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).
Pastor Brian Gibson: Miraculous Manifestations
From healing miracles to inexplicable phenomena like “gold dust” appearing in his church, Pastor Brian Gibson described these moments as signs of God’s presence. “When you preach the gospel, stuff happens,” he said, emphasizing that such occurrences point to the miraculous nature of God.
However, Gibson’s approach remains grounded. “I’m a gospel preacher,” he clarified. “These other manifestations… they happen because when you preach the gospel, signs and wonders follow.” For Gibson, the key is staying focused on the gospel rather than being distracted by the phenomena themselves.
Manifestation: A Choice Between Light and Darkness
These various perspectives shared with Charisma Media converge on one critical point: manifestation is not merely a trendy concept but a spiritual practice with eternal implications. The source of its power—whether of God or demonic—makes all the difference.
New Age practices often promise control over one’s destiny through affirmations and rituals, but these methods can open doors to forces beyond one’s understanding. In contrast, biblical manifestation is about faith, obedience and partnering with God’s purposes. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5) remains the guiding principle.
The words shared by Z, DiDio and Gibson serve as a call to action for believers: discern the spirit behind manifestation practices, create space for the Holy Spirit and focus on the gospel’s transformative power. As DiDio aptly put it, “What if it’s time for the manifestation of every prophetic word that’s been spoken over your life to be fulfilled?”
Yet, the questions remain. Will you align with the darkness of self-reliance, or will you surrender to the divine mystery of God’s promises? The answer could shape not just your life but your place in eternity.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
