The SECRET is Out

“Jesus created all things, and Jesus holds all things together.” – COLOSSIANS 1:15-17

In our study of Colossians, we have seen that Paul is aware of the false teachings that influenced the thinking of the believers at Colossae. Rather than avoiding or ignoring those teachings, Paul tackled them head on, demonstrating their weaknesses. He serves as an example to us today of what to do as we, too, are surrounded by teachings that are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of the most influential and talked about teachings today is found in a book by Rhonda Byrne called The Secret. This book is really a summary of the teachings of 25 top motivational speakers. What Byrne has accomplished is compiling these teachings and grouping them as having one common thread — the Secret. According to Byrne, knowledge and awareness of this Secret can transform our lives just as it has transformed hers. Anything and everything in our lives can be changed by our thoughts. “If you can think about what you want in your mind and make that your dominant thought, you will bring it into your life.” (p. 9).

How does this happen? Basically, the Universe is at our command because like attracts like — that’s the Law of Attraction — our thoughts will attract or bring into existence whatever it is we think about. “If you want to change anything in your life, change the channel and change the frequency by changing your thoughts.” (p.11). So, if you want to receive checks instead of bills in the mail, think about receiving checks. Sounds harmless enough, doesn’t it?

Maybe not. How do we account for some of the most horrific events in history? Did the victims of the Holocaust think thoughts of annihilation and thus the Universe responded and gave them what they thought? “If people believe they have no control over outside circumstances, those thoughts of fear, separation and powerlessness, if persistent, can attract them to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” (p. 28). Her answer then is: Yes. Victims are responsible for whatever circumstances come their way. This is appalling! Imagine the guilt that would burden anyone who was a victim or suffered disease or received bills in the mail instead of checks!

At several points throughout her book, Byrne states that Christianity has known the truth of the Secret and has passed it on through its writings. This claim is never supported and is blatantly false. In fact, the teachings in the Bible are directly contrary to the Secret. Consider the following examples: Byrne states, “Many people have sacrificed themselves for others, thinking when they sacrifice themselves they are being a good person. Wrong!” (p. 118). What does this say about Jesus’ work on the cross on our behalf? That it was wrong? God had the wrong plan? Further, it would mean Jesus is wrong when He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Praise God that He does not conform to the teachings of this world, otherwise we would have no Savior and no hope.

It is not until nearly the end of the book that Byrne actually mentions God. And who is that? “You are God in a physical body….You are all power. You are all wisdom. You are all intelligence. You are perfection…You are the creator.” (p. 164). While this may sound incredibly empowering and positive to the world, it is completely false.

The Bible actually says that there is only one image of the invisible God — Jesus. Further, “Jesus created all things, and Jesus holds all things together.” (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus alone has the position and power that Byrne would assign to each and every human. Which is more reasonable? That there is one Creator or we are each creators; that there is one God and Savior Jesus Christ or that everyone is god? It seems the Secret truly is out!