This is the 5th and last part of a series of postings on the authentic Christian view and attitude regarding psychic phenomena.What should we do to ensure our safety in psychic matters? A principle that must be continually held in mind is the Biblical statement: “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (1Corinthians 14:32).
This implies that true prophecy–and therefore psychic abilities–are the result of mastery of our inner faculties. And that mastery is the mastery that leads to the spirit, not short-sightedly to psychic experience as an end in itself. For though we must indeed journey through the realm of the psychic, we must go beyond it into “the more excellent way” of which Saint Paul wrote (I Corinthians 12:31).
Part of spiritual evolution
Saint Paul’s assertion implies that the opening of the psychic powers within the individual should come as a result of spiritual evolution. This is why Blavatsky was insistent that “natural” psychic abilities cannot be fully trusted. Rather, she insisted that only those who through spiritual cultivation open their own inner, illumined consciousness can trust their psychic perceptions or be trusted by others. Spiritual development is essential
The statement that the prophet’s spirit is subject to him indicates that he is not under the control of anyone–no, not even of God. For God only accepts willing service, not willess slavery. The Christian psychic will never be under the control of any external intelligence whatsoever. Such a state would utterly negate the very nature of the prophet.
The Christian psychic never speaks or perceives under compulsion. All is done according to his spiritually developed will, a will that transcends ego and egoic ways. The Christian psychic is never overcome or controlled by psychic experience. Rather, like a truly gifted artist who can create at will, he can exercise his ability whenever he wills. He is at all times a psychic adult. The Christian psychic’s control over his spirit implies that at no time does he pass out cold and later come to and say he has no memory of “what happened” and ask if the “messages” were good.
Positive psychic experiences are good and true. Not only that, they are necessary. God Himself has intended them for our unfolding spiritual life. Therefore in the true Church there are prophets, healers and workers of miracles.
The more excellent way
Previously I pointed out that Saint Paul wrote of “the more excellent way.” That is the way of spiritual phenomena. It is true and right that we should pass through the various phases of psychic development, but we pass through them, we do not remain there. Having experienced the invisible realities of the psychic realm we are prepared for experience of the spiritual realm–of spiritual phenomena.
In the world there are two types of supernormal contact: psychic and spiritual. We who are initiates of Christ must become increasingly more intent on the spiritual and less on the psychic side–not because there is anything wrong with the psychic, but because it can sidetrack us in our quest for higher consciousness if we do not grow beyond it. But we should always respect it and use it when the situation is appropriate.
Spiritual vs. Psychic
We must never confuse the psychic with the spiritual. It is common for people to think that psychics are spiritually developed when they are not, or that a psychic experience is a spiritual experience. When we do this we fall into two serious errors: we assume that because a psychic is accurate he is also a reliable spiritual advisor and guide, and we become satisfied with the psychic and neglect the spiritual–a logical consequence if we do not understand their difference.
Psychic proficiency is not spiritual proficiency, and even miracles are no sign of spiritual worth in a person. There is a vast difference between psychic clairvoyance and spiritual clairvoyance.
So please be aware that psychic advisors and healers are not spiritual advisors and healers. We must move onward to higher places as we evolve. The psychic world is normal and good, but the spiritual world is supernatural and “more excellent.”
“God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,…hath quickened us together with Christ…and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.… For we are his workmanship” (Ephesians 2:4-7,10).