The words “I Am”

Submitted by Tony

Christ first used these words in referring to himself in Exodus 3:14. They formed the basis of the Hebrew word Yahweh, a very holy and sacred name to the Jews. The second time Christ used this name was in John 8:58 where He applied it to Himself, thus saying that He was God. Some Christian ministers, speakers and motivators these days are however encouraging their audiences to apply the term to themselves. Emphasising “I am” in self-reference, or even repeating it like a mantra. This is something the Bible does not authorise us to do.

The concept of applying these words to oneself comes from the occult. It is very central to occult and New Age practices and teachings. A web search on the term “repeating the words I am” returns about 30,000 hits spread over 1000s’ of new age and occult web sites. The Bible shows that God is a complete entity who created the universe and us. On the other hand, the occult teaches that God is a creative force (or energy) spread throughout the universe and therefore that the creation is a part of God (Romans 1:25). Based on this they believe that we are all a part of God, and as such are gods. Such thinking then leads to the conclusion that Christ was only someone like ourselves, but who had reached the full potential of his ‘godhood’. Thus by applying the words “I am” to ourselves, we can supposedly affirm our godhood and release the full potential in ourselves that is a result of this 'divine' connection with the universe. This old concept is now a common feature in the modern motivational speaking industry, which has drawn heavily on New Age teachings in general.

So how come these occult teachings are also being heard from the lips of Christian teachers and leaders? Perhaps because in the end time there will be a total merging of Christianity with the occult, a process that will be completed just before Christ comes. The bible indicates exactly this.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. (I Timothy 4:1)

In II Timothy 3 it says that says that in the last days people will ‘have a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof’. In other words, they will have a form of what is the truth but will not be walking in its power (or its spirit).

Revelation 18 also speaks of the judgment of Great Babylon, and there is a call to all God’s people to come out of her.

…”Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues (Rev 18:4)

Babylon, in the bible is seen as the fountain head of false religion and the occult. Revelation 18 therefore is speaking of something that contains God’s people, yet spiritually speaking is more akin to the occult mystery religions that stem from ancient Babylon. This really is exactly the state of affairs developing in today’s churches. The Christian message, often tainted anyway by the influences of Europe’s pagan past, is now in the process of being redefined in terms that are essentially New Age, occult and spiritually ‘Babylon’. I believe this is why blatantly occult teachings, such as the one I’ve focused on here, are more and more often being heard from the lips of Christian teachers.

Nevertheless, despite the apostasy that is so quickly gaining ground, there will be individuals who remain faithful to the true God and, if not already out, will come out from among Great Babylon when the call comes. I pray that all who read this will be among the faithful who resist occult and New Age influences right through to the day when Christ appears.