Praying against the various
forms of idolatry, we have seen psychic centers close. I
thought that this was going to be the fruit that would come
from our prayer, but we have also seen new psychic centers
open. The Lord has directed us to be obedient in prayer and
not measure our success by the closings but believe that
true fruit can only be realized through sharing the
knowledge and helping in the formation of true and upright
consciences. Sharing the truth about idolatry and lovingly
addressing misconceptions are the only ways to do this.
Have you ever caught yourself justifying your involvement in some
form of idolatry or the New Age Movement by saying that you
have discerned that your involvement is not wrong because:
“It is only exercise”; “It has nothing to do with religion”
or “I think about Jesus, Mary or the Holy Spirit when I do
the exercises.” This is not true discernment given us by
the Holy Spirit but it is rather our own desire to justify
our involvement in something that we may not want to give up
because society says that it is ok to do it. Remember the
true gift of discernment would never go against the Lord’s
teaching, His truth.
True discernment is having
the deep sensitivity of the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
To have this, we must not only be aware of the presence of
the Holy Spirit but also have formed a true and upright
conscience. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1780,
states:
requires uprightness of moral conscience… The
truth about the moral good, stated in the law of reason, is
recognized practically and concretely by the prudent
judgment of conscience.” It continues to discuss
The Formation of Conscience: #1783, “Conscience
must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A
well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It
formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity
with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator.”
If our conscience becomes dulled through misuse, we can come
to justify idolatrous ways. In light of the 1st
Commandment given us in Exodus, and our understanding of a
true and upright conscience, how can we stand idly by and
accept the post modern teachings of idolatry in our society.
“The wrath of God is
indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and
wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their
wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to
them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the
creation of 
the
world, His invisible attributes of eternal power and
divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in
what He has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for
although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God
or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their
reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While
claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the
glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of
mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of
snakes. Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through
the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of
their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a
lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the
creator, who is blessed forever.” (Romans 1:18-25)
In idolatry, we often claim to be wise and then exchange the
truth of God for the lies of worship of self, property, New
Age activities, etc.
“From the time the LORD led
our fathers out of the land of Egypt until the present day,
we have been disobedient to the LORD, our God, and only too
ready to disregard his voice.” (Baruch 1:19)
It is our choice as to whose voice we follow. Jesus is the
Shepherd and if we are His sheep, we will follow His voice
as long as we become and remain sensitized to His voice
through Scripture, the Catechism and sound moral teaching.
We need to know Him above all else to give Him the glory and
not give the glory to some form of idol.
“See to it that no one
captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according
to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the
world and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Be sure that what we read, watch, and listen to are indeed
the truths of the Church. We do not have to search for
answers from someone or something that tickles our ears. If
we stray, we will be convicted in the power of the Holy
Spirit,and called to reform our conscience, for as gold is
purified in fire, it has to be exposed to heat to remove the
impurities. So our consciences must be molded or remolded
through conviction and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
So whom do you choose to
follow – God or those who tickle your ears with lies and
false directions? Actively choose to follow the Truth,
Jesus Christ.
“Jesus then said to those
Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you
will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
