Marvin Gaye Asked the Right Question . . .
What’s going on?
Look, I know it’s not a hymn…
and I know Marvin wasn’t standing in a pulpit when he sang it…
…but the state of the world today has me asking the same thing:
What’s going on?
Scrolling through social media—and even the news—will introduce you to some strange things.
And I may lose a few people here…
but tell the truth and shame the devil.
Sage burning.
Sound baths.
Cacao ceremonies.
Manifestation and full moon rituals.
Praying to—or speaking with—ancestors.
I could keep going…
but by now, you get the point.
Not everything labeled healing is from God.
Some things look peaceful…
feel powerful…
even seem helpful…
But if it leads you to seek power, clarity, or connection outside of God—
it’s not from Him.
We don’t need ceremonies to access God.
We already have access through Jesus.
Let’s Bring the Bible In
Because feelings aren’t our foundation—
truth is.
1. Seeking Spiritual Insight Outside of God
Deuteronomy 18:10–12
“There shall not be found among you anyone who… practices divination… or is a medium… or a necromancer…”
Translation:
God is not unclear about this.
Practices that attempt to gain spiritual insight, power, or guidance outside of Him are not just discouraged—
they’re called detestable.
That includes:
psychics
mediums
spirit communication
rituals designed to access “higher knowledge”
2. Speaking to the Dead (Ancestors)
Isaiah 8:19
“Should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
This one is direct.
Honoring those who came before you? ✔️
Seeking guidance from them? ❌
That’s not where your help comes from.
We don’t talk to the dead…
We talk to the Living God.
Your ancestors didn’t die for you.
Jesus did.
3. Rituals Borrowed From Other Spiritual Systems
(Sage, cacao ceremonies, energy cleansing, etc.)
Deuteronomy 12:30–31
“Be careful not to be ensnared… ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I will do the same.’”
Just because something is trending…
or feels calming…
or is labeled “natural”…
doesn’t mean it’s neutral.
God warns us about adopting spiritual practices rooted in other belief systems.
4. Manifestation & “Speaking to the Universe”
James 4:13–15
“You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills…’”
Matthew 6:7–8
“Do not heap up empty phrases… your Father knows what you need…”
The Bible never teaches us to:
speak to the universe
declare outcomes into existence
manifest our reality
It teaches us to pray to God and submit to His will.
5. Altered States & “Spiritual Experiences”
(Sound baths, breathwork ceremonies, plant medicine)
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober-minded; be watchful…”
Why does God emphasize sobriety?
Because not every spiritual experience is from Him.
Some doors don’t need to be opened.
All of these practices—no matter how different they look—
have one thing in common:
They offer spiritual access without God.
And that’s the problem.
We don’t need:
sage to cleanse us
the moon to guide us
ancestors to protect us
ceremonies to access something higher
We already have access. We don’t need rituals, we need Jesus.
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”
Through Jesus:
we have access
we have guidance
we have truth
we have peace
We don’t speak to the universe…
We pray to the One who created it.
God didn’t call us to mix truth with trends—
He called us to walk in truth.
Share this with someone who’s trying to find peace, healing or direction…and may be looking in the wrong place.