1st Light Mission received the following question...
"Wanted to ask your views on using crystals as a Christian? I want to use sage and use crystals in my home but don't want it to be an act against God as everything I've researched talks about how in the bible God directly speaks of the use of witchcraft and that crystals and burning sage etc. counts. Thanks in advance!"
Here is Dr. Norwood's response...
Thank you for your very interesting question. It is good for every believer to regularly re-examine themselves to ensure that they are striving to do all that our Lord has commanded and not doing anything he has forbidden. Practices that can be interpreted by some to be non-Christian or pagan certainly should be carefully examined to ensure that a believer in Jesus Christ does not step into sin by participating in them. In regard to your use of sage and crystals, because there is no specific scripture that directly addresses sage or crystals, determining if they violate sound Christian doctrine would be based, at least initially, on why you are using them and how you are using them.
In stating that you use sage, I am assuming its not merely because burning sage has a wonderful aroma, but you are instead referring to the Native American practice of smudging, in which traditional medicine, in this case plant material such as sage, sweetgrass, cedar, or tobacco, is burned in order to symbolize (or request) the Creator’s blessing and to represent prayers rising to the Creator. If this is the case, it is similar to the use of incense in any Christian worship. However if the smudging is done in order to ward off evil spirits or to invite good ones (which is the understanding of some who smudge), then this is certainly inconsistent with the Christian faith. Disciples of Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit who also dwells within us. The Bible tells us that we must resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7), which is an act of faith, relying on the grace of Christ. Reliance on anything other than the presence of God and the Word of God, in this regard, is to disregard scripture by presuming it is insufficient and we must add to it. It would also be to erroneously attribute spiritual power to the material being smudged or the practice of smudging beyond it being a symbol. Smudging can be an appropriate contextualized / indigenous symbol of blessing and prayer used by a Christian because the use of incense is clearly displayed in the Bible and a common practice throughout the history of the church. However, any reliance upon it - as though it has power beyond being a symbol - would be syncretistic (blending of incompatible beliefs or practices of different religions).
Similar parameters could be applied in the evaluation of the use of crystals. The decorative use of crystals would not conflict with scripture. Any use that is specifically medicinal (with which I admittedly have little familiarity, but have heard of some studies that cite some potential benefit) may not be in conflict with scripture, so long as no spiritual power or significance is attributed to them. However, the blending of “new age” practices and beliefs with Christianity typically leads to the sin of syncretism. Why and how crystals are used would determine whether this is the case.
Jesus tells us that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). It is upon him that we rely, for he is our salvation. The most powerful symbols of his saving grace are in the rituals he commanded us to continue, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We are nurtured, matured, and strengthened by assembling ourselves together through the blessing of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:19-25). Our faith should be guided by scripture alone. Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, all to the glory of God.
Additionally, it would also be important to ensure that your freedom in any of this does not cause a fellow believer to stumble, or mislead a non-believer, as many who may see your private practice could associate it with an interpretation that you do not embrace. We are instructed, in Romans 14, to never let our liberty become a stumbling block for another. It would be important to explain why you may smudge so that there is no misunderstanding. And, if your explanation is not understood but only seems to cause confusion, out of love for your brother or sister in Christ, and to protect your witness before the non-believer, you should refrain from the practice in front of them… while praying for their spiritual growth and your own (as should always be our aim).
I pray this was helpful.
Dr. J.R. Norwood
