The Law of Attraction has surged in popularity, promising that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring positive or negative experiences into their life. It’s a concept that has captivated millions, from best-selling books like “The Secret” to countless online influencers. But for those who hold the Bible as their spiritual authority, a pressing question arises: What does God say about the Law of Attraction? Does this modern spiritual idea align with ancient biblical wisdom, or does it present a conflicting worldview?
This article seeks to explore that very question. We will delve into the core principles of the Law of Attraction, examine relevant scriptures, and contrast its teachings with the biblical perspective on faith, prayer, and God’s sovereignty. Our goal is not to simply dismiss or endorse, but to thoughtfully and biblically discern where these concepts converge and, more importantly, where they diverge. The journey will take us to the heart of what it means to live a life of faith, trust, and submission to the will of God.
Understanding the Core Principles of the Law of Attraction
Before we can compare it to biblical teaching, we must first clearly understand what the Law of Attraction (LOA) proposes. At its core, LOA is a philosophical belief that our thoughts and feelings directly shape our reality. It operates on the premise that the universe is a field of energy, and like attracts like. Proponents argue that by controlling our internal state, we can magnetically attract corresponding external circumstances.
The process often follows a simple, three-step formula: Ask, Believe, and Receive. You must first ask the universe for what you want. Then, you cultivate an unwavering belief that you already possess it. Finally, you remain open to receiving it. People commonly use visualization, affirmations, and gratitude journals to align their vibrational frequency with their desires. Consequently, the focus rests predominantly on the self—your own power, intention, and mental discipline to manifest everything from wealth and health to specific relationships.
Key Tenets of the Law of Attraction:
- Thoughts are Magnetic: Your dominant thoughts attract corresponding experiences and objects into your life.
- The Universe is Impersonal: It responds to your vibrational frequency, not to pleas or personality.
- The Power is Within You: You are the sole creator of your reality through your conscious and subconscious mind.
- Focus on Desire: Emphasize identifying and intensively focusing on what you want to manifest.
A Biblical Perspective on Faith, Thoughts, and “Asking”
At first glance, some aspects of the Law of Attraction seem to have a biblical parallel. The Bible does, in fact, speak powerfully about the importance of faith, the power of words, and the principle of asking. For instance, Mark 11:24 states, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This sounds remarkably similar to the “Ask and Believe” stage of LOA.
However, the context and foundation of this belief are critically different. Biblical faith is not a force we wield to control the universe; it is a trusting response to a personal, sovereign God. The object of our faith matters most. In the Law of Attraction, faith rests in the self and an impersonal universe. In Christianity, however, faith rests exclusively in the person and character of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the biblical command to “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) focuses on aligning our minds with God’s truth rather than on manifesting personal desires.
Where the Paths Diverge:
- The Object of Belief: LOA believes in the self/universe, while the Bible calls for faith in God.
- The Purpose of Prayer: LOA uses “asking” as a command to the universe, but biblical prayer is a relational conversation with a Father.
- The Nature of Reality: LOA sees reality as malleable by our thoughts, whereas the Bible presents a reality created and sustained by God.
The Sovereignty of God vs. The Autonomy of Self
This point creates perhaps the most significant conflict. The Law of Attraction places the individual at the center of the cosmos as the master of their destiny. It promotes a theology of self-deification, where your will becomes the ultimate authority. This stance directly opposes the biblical worldview, which begins with recognizing God’s supreme sovereignty.
Scripture consistently teaches that God rules as the ultimate ruler over all creation. For example, Proverbs 19:21 declares, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Similarly, James 4:13-15 admonishes those who make boastful plans for the future, reminding them to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” The Christian life calls for surrender, trusting that God’s plans are higher and better than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, while the Law of Attraction encourages us to command the universe, the Bible calls us to humbly submit to the will of God.
This fundamental difference reorients every aspect of life. When facing a need, the LOA practitioner looks inward to harness their mental power. In contrast, the Christian looks upward to a loving Father, trusting that He will provide “this day our daily bread” and work all things, even hardships, for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
The Heart’s Desires: Aligning with God’s Will
A major selling point of the Law of Attraction is its promise to fulfill your heart’s desires. Yet the Bible offers a sobering diagnosis of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Placing our unchecked desires at the center of our spiritual practice is a dangerous endeavor.
The biblical alternative does not suppress our desires but invites God to reshape them. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This is not a transactional formula for getting what we want. Instead, it is a promise that as we find our ultimate joy and satisfaction in God Himself, our desires will transform to align with His good and perfect will. We stop seeking things for our own glory and begin desiring what God desires for us.
This approach creates a radical departure from the “name it and claim it” mentality that sometimes masquerades as Christianity. True biblical faith seeks God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), trusting that our needs will be met as a byproduct of that pursuit. Moreover, it invites God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive way within us (Psalm 139:23-24), leading us toward a life of holiness and Christ-likeness.
Gratitude, Praise, and a Shift in Focus
One area where the Law of Attraction and the Bible seem to agree is on the power of gratitude. LOA teaches that feeling gratitude for what you have raises your vibration and attracts more good things. Similarly, the Bible fills its pages with commands to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Again, the motivation and object are different. Gratitude in LOA is a tool for self-improvement and manifestation. In Christianity, however, gratitude is a response of the heart to a gracious God. It is an act of worship, acknowledging that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). This shifts the focus from the gift to the Giver. We are not grateful to an impersonal universe, but to a personal God who knows us, loves us, and gave His Son for us.
This posture of thankful worship guards against the entitlement and self-centeredness that can accompany LOA practices. Ultimately, it cultivates a spirit of humility, dependence, and joy that does not depend on our external circumstances but on the unchanging character of God.
Conclusion: Co-Creators or Faithful Servants?
So, what does God say about the Law of Attraction? While surface-level similarities exist in the language of belief and asking, the underlying worldviews are fundamentally incompatible. The Bible does not call us to be sovereign “creators” who use mental forces to bend reality to our will. Instead, it calls us to be faithful servants, trusting children, and humble stewards.
The true “secret” to a fulfilled life is not found within our own mind, but in a relationship with our Creator. It is a life of prayer that says, “Your will be done,” a life of faith that trusts God’s goodness even when our circumstances are difficult, and a life of hope that is anchored not in our ability to manifest, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the promise of the gospel is not that we will get everything we want, but that we get God Himself—and in Him, we find everything we truly need.
Rather than seeking to attract blessings, we are called to seek the Blesser. In His presence, our desires are purified, our faith is strengthened, and our lives are aligned with the ultimate purpose for which we were created: to know and glorify God forever.
Further Reading and Biblical Exploration
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of biblical faith and prayer, consider studying these passages: The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15), James 4, Philippians 4:4-13, and the entire book of Psalm 37.
