1 John 5:14-15
Are you unmarried because God is waiting for you to manifest this destiny into existence? Do you lack the finances you desire because you have not specifically named and then claimed the exact dollar amount you want? Would God give you the physical healing you need if you used the law of attraction?
Here are 4 biblical points regarding things like manifesting your destiny, naming and claiming, and the law of attraction.
1. The Bible Does Not Say You Can Manifest Your Destiny. It Tells Us to Submit to God’s Sovereign Plan and Follow His Leading
The term “manifesting your destiny” is not found in the Scriptures. Additionally, this phrase invokes unbiblical beliefs regarding our power to bring about our will. Throughout the Scriptures, it is clear that God has a sovereign will that he alone brings about through his power (Psalm 115:3).
Notice how Jesus handled his desires. He didn’t want to go to the cross. In fact, he asked his Father to spare him this outcome, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). If Jesus was going to manifest the destiny he wanted, he would have turned away from the Father’s will.
Likewise, the idea of “manifesting your destiny” is dangerous because it takes your focus off of where it should be. The goal of our life must not be to accomplish our will but God’s will. Prayer is less about us informing God about what we want so he can do it for us and it’s more about us being informed about what God wants so we can do it.
God’s plan for your life is better than your plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). You will be happier and more fulfilled if you spend the majority of your efforts on seeking to please the Lord.
2. The Bible Does Not Say You Can Name and Claim or Speak Something into Existence. It Tells Us to Ask God in Faith for What We Desire
While God has a sovereign will and the final say, the Bible also states he wants us to ask him for what we want (Matthew 7:7). When you are filled with the Spirit, the desires you have are actually the same desires God has. In other words, you will want what God wants for you.
So you don’t need to name what you want and then try to claim it in your own authority. Rather, walk with God and seek to fulfill the good desires he has given you. If you want to be married, that desire probably comes from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). If you want to provide for yourself financially, that desire comes from God (2 Thessalonians 3:10). If you desire healing to your body, you are simply longing for the perfection God made us for before sinned entered the picture (Romans 8:19-21).
Naming and claiming prevents you from fulfilling your desires because it causes you to focus on your own power to accomplish what you want. God has given you the good desires in your heart, and he alone is the one who can empower you to fulfill those desires (Psalm 37:4, 1 John 5:14-15). All you need to do is follow him. Ask in faith, and then submit in humility.
3. The Bible Does Not Say the Law of Attraction Is Real. It Does Tell Us that Our Thoughts Affect the Actions that We Take
The law of attraction is a belief that you can bring good into your life through positive thinking and visualization. The Bible does not say our thoughts have this power.
However, the Bible does say that our thoughts affect our actions and our actions do affect our outcomes. In other words, if you imagine a godly spouse and how you two would be a great couple, that thought is not going to bring this person into your life. However, if you dwell on the biblical principles of marriage and think about the good you would need to do in that type of relationship, you will be better prepared to act that way in life which will be used by God to produce better outcomes for you.
As Romans 12:2 states, “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.”
So having a biblical thought life and a positive attitude is really important. But these thoughts do not magically attract good things into your life. Rather, when you are healthy in your mind, this will help you live a healthy lifestyle that produces good fruit.
4. The Bible Does Not Say We Have the Power to Do Whatever We Want. It Does Say Christians Have Been Give the Power to Do What God Wants
Things like “manifesting your destiny,” “naming and claiming,” and “the law of attraction” are unbiblical because they place the emphasis on the human will rather than God’s will. God does give us power to accomplish amazing things. But that power will only be present when we choose to use it for his purposes.
As Jesus said to his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Yes, they were given power; but this power would only manifest when they used it to be his witnesses. It was not a power to produce whatever they wanted.
Would really want to manifest what you feel is your destiny? I would rather God give me what he knows is best. As Ephesians 3:20-21 promises, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
