Capturing Victory: Inner Healing And The Modern Church - Part 1 Series

Romans 6:1-7

Summary: Scripture alone offers the truth and clarity necessary to profoundly comprehend the human psyche. It is through the divine words of the Bible that we can truly understand our thoughts, emotions, and motivations. By immersing ourselves in the teachings of the Scriptures, we gain access to the ultimate source of wisdom and enlightenment. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

INTRODUCTION: Inner Healing definition and practices.

Definition: "Inner healing" is the process of liberating individuals from the adverse emotional consequences of harmful experiences. Regrettably, numerous New Age and mystical practices have infiltrated the church, challenging the Effects of the Cross and the Power of the Blood of Jesus. Three primary areas of concern must be addressed:

1. The detrimental effects of continually focusing on incidents that trigger pain or resentment.

2. The risk of forming our perception of God based on mental imagery rather than the accurate portrayal found in Scripture.

3. The potential for exposing our minds to demonic influence or encounters.

The Enneagram System of Personality Typing (Is it Occultic?)

The Enneagram, an unverified tool, is susceptible to theological inaccuracies and the potential for social and psychological misapplication. Due to the absence of scientific research, it is impossible to establish criteria for expertise, evaluate the effectiveness or harm of the advice given, or ascertain the validity of the Enneagram system's objectives.

• The Enneagram System of personality typing has recently become popular among American Christians, especially younger adults who are culturally aware of both church doctrine and the secular world.

• This system originated over 2500 years ago with a Babylonian wisdom school and was brought to Europe in the 1920s by George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff.

• In the 1960s, Oscar Ichazo taught his version of the nine personality types in Bolivia before bringing it to the United States.

• Claudio Naranjo, a Chilean psychiatrist, used automatic writing and trance channeling to design today's modern Enneagram System.

• After Don Richard Riso incorporated it into counseling as a former Jesuit priest, the Enneagram's popularity rapidly spread among Roman Catholics.

• The primary use of this system is to analyze ego types to gain greater awareness and reach a higher state of consciousness. It also promises to help transform believers into God's image through self-acceptance and understanding flaws as breadcrumbs toward rediscovering one's best qualities.

I. Inner Healing and the Enneagram

A. Questions that need to be asked concerning the use of the Enneagram system.

1. Can a tool from the occult be an instrument that heals or incites harm?

2. How dangerous are practices derived from occult origins, especially when they are considered an abomination to the Lord?

3. Perhaps the best question to ask is: Can a Christian use the Enneagram to glorify God and grow into the likeness of Christ?

a. The Enneagram, a system rooted in mysticism and the occult, represents an alternative gospel steeped in psycho-heresy. Its aim is to provide insights that should exclusively come from the authoritative source of the Bible. Consequently, the Enneagram serves as a deceptive and counterfeit path to spiritual sanctification and growth.

B. The Born-Again Christian is called to deny themselves and follow Jesus daily.

1. The Enneagram is ultimately self-focused. It creates a framework for identifying in a test rather than in Jesus.

2. The fundamental issue humanity faces, which led to Jesus taking human form and sacrificing Himself on Calvary, is why Born-Again Christians must undergo a continuous process of transformation and renewal. This is achieved by daily self-sacrifice rather than seeking self-discovery.!

a. Through the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Born-Again Christian already has all they need for life and godliness! (2 Peter 1:3).

C. Jesus came, walked the via Delarosa, offered Himself on Calvary, and conquered death, hell, and the grave so that Born-Again Christians could experience daily victory and renewal through self-sacrifice rather than self-discovery.

II. Inner Healing and the Bible

A. In a direct contradiction, God promised to transform the Born-Again Christian through the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible commands, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom 12:2).

1. Adam and Eve were created good and given free will by their Creator, so they had the choice to be content with Him, who is love, or to want more.

a. When a person becomes Born-Again by accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they are positionally sanctified before God and considered perfect, holy, and good, just as the first humans (Rom 1:7, 8:28; 1 Cor 1:2).

2. Their condition changes every day based upon their good and bad choices, but their position before God remains the same as He sanctifies their condition daily (Heb 10:14).