What is the law of attraction?

Response

“The Secret,” also referred to as the “law of attraction,” posits that due to our connection with a “universal energy force,” our thoughts and emotions can influence this energy to our advantage. According to “The Secret,” our thoughts and emotions draw similar energy towards us. Negative thoughts attract negative outcomes, while positive feelings attract positive results. The core message of “The Secret” is that we all possess the ability to shape our own future. We can shape our reality. By consistently applying the “law of attraction,” we can manifest our desires and become who we aspire to be.

Is there any truth behind “The Secret”? Does the law of attraction hold any validity? Like many popular concepts, “The Secret” contains a kernel of truth that is often taken to unscriptural and irrational extremes. For instance, the law of attraction suggests that our mental and emotional state influences our physical well-being. Medical evidence supports the idea that stress and anxiety can be detrimental to health, while happiness and tranquility can aid in the healing process. The Bible concurs, stating, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” «A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. », (Proverbs 17:22). “A cheerful expression brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” «The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: And a good report maketh the bones fat. », (Proverbs 15:30). When David was wrestling with the guilt of his unconfessed sins, he lamented, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” «When I kept silence, my bones waxed oldThrough my groaning all the day long.” , (Psalm 32:3). Our thoughts and emotions do influence our physical well-being. However, this is a result of how God created our bodies—rather than our connection to a universal energy force and the idea that our negativity or positivity attracts negative or positive physical symptoms.

Another flaw in the concept of the “law of attraction” is its focus on money and riches. The Bible provides significant guidance on wealth and the responsible management of finances and resources. Proverbs 13:11 declares, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Similarly, Proverbs 17:16 states, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since they have no desire to gain wisdom?” Our financial prosperity is determined by our choices, our diligence, and our wise handling of what we possess. Regardless of how optimistic our thoughts are or how concentrated we are on wealth, if we have accumulated substantial debt, the bills will persist “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” , (Proverbs 22:7). The sole influence that the concept of “positive thinking” can have on our financial circumstances is to inspire us to work harder and spend more prudently. “The Secret” and its emphasis on attaining wealth directly contradict the teachings of the Bible. Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man in the Bible, noted, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” , (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Jesus, who possessed everything, cautioned us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions.”

He does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” «And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. », (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” «Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, When as yet there was none of them. », (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, capable of creating our own reality, controlling our own destiny. This deception is not hidden and is not a new concept. Satan’s primary temptation has always been to acquire knowledge and aspire to be like God, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God—” «for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. », (Genesis 3:5). Satan’s own downfall from glory was due to this same pride, “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” mirrors the message that Satan used to entice Adam and Eve into sin: “You do not need God— you can be God!” And just as 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 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 aligning ourselves with God, understanding His heart, and knowing His will. Instead of pursuing wealth, fame, power, and pleasure (which lead to emptiness), we are to seek a relationship with God, allowing Him to instill His perfect desires in our hearts.

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?”