Why Christians Should Reject Attitudinal Healing: A Biblical Response to New Age Philosophy

In a culture fascinated with holistic wellness and self-help spirituality, Attitudinal Healing has emerged as a popular practice. It claims to foster physical, mental, and spiritual health by restructuring one’s mindset and adopting "proper" attitudes. While this may sound appealing, Christians must examine this method's origins and spiritual implications.

At its core, Attitudinal Healing teaches that we can transform our health and inner world by changing our thoughts and attitudes. The spirit, mind, and body are believed to be interconnected, and mental attitudes are treated as the key to healing and achieving life goals—emotional, physical, or spiritual. While Christians agree that mindset can impact behavior and health (Proverbs 23:7), the foundation of Attitudinal Healing is steeped in New Age and spiritistic beliefs that directly oppose the Word of God.

1. Self as the Source of Healing

Attitudinal Healing promotes the idea that you are the source of your own healing. It often emphasizes phrases like “inner truth,” “universal love,” or “divine self.” This approach subtly or overtly removes the need for Jesus Christ as the ultimate Healer and Savior. But Scripture is clear: God alone is our Healer.

“I am the Lord who heals you.” — Exodus 15:26

The Bible teaches that all true physical, emotional, or spiritual healing comes from God through Jesus Christ. Placing faith in one’s thoughts, mental states, or "inner divinity" leads to idolatry of self rather than worship of the Creator.

2. Spiritual Roots Contrary to Scripture

The philosophy behind Attitudinal Healing often includes New Age ideologies, such as reincarnation, universal consciousness, and spiritual relativism. These beliefs deny core Christian doctrines like sin, repentance, the exclusivity of Christ, and the authority of Scripture.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition… and not according to Christ.” — Colossians 2:8

These practices reframe sin as merely a negative thought pattern, rather than rebellion against a holy God. In this view, healing becomes a process of self-actualization rather than restoration through Jesus. That is a dangerous spiritual counterfeit.

3. Mind Over God

While Scripture does emphasize renewing the mind (Romans 12:2), this renewal is through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, not self-directed affirmations rooted in unbiblical worldviews. Attitudinal Healing teaches that if you align your mind correctly, your reality—including health and destiny—will follow. This places the power of healing and transformation in human willpower, not divine grace.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

Rather than submitting our thoughts to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), Attitudinal Healing elevates human reasoning as the supreme guide. This leads people to trust in created things (thoughts, attitudes, energy) over the Creator.

4. Replacing Biblical Repentance with Emotional Positivity

Attitudinal Healing often encourages users to dismiss negative emotions, suppress guilt, and embrace a detached form of “forgiveness” that has no grounding in justice, truth, or repentance. Biblical healing begins with repentance (Acts 3:19), humility, and acknowledgment of sin. Simply shifting to a more "positive" attitude does not cleanse the soul—only the blood of Jesus can do that (1 John 1:7).

5. Healing Through Jesus, Not Techniques

Jesus never taught us to heal ourselves through mental reprogramming. While we are called to take thoughts captive and renew our minds, the Holy Spirit works in us to transform our hearts and minds. The healing that Jesus brings is holistic, but it flows from surrender, not self-sufficiency.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3

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Conclusion: A Counterfeit of True Healing

Attitudinal Healing may look appealing, offering peace, control, and healing. But it is a subtle counterfeit of the true healing provided only through Jesus Christ. It redirects trust away from God and onto the self, promoting philosophies rooted in spiritual deception.

Christians are called to reject any practice that exalts man over God or replaces the gospel with human-centered methods. Healing is not about managing attitudes; it is about being transformed by the power and presence of Christ.

Let us not be deceived by ideas that promise wellness while denying the cross. Instead, let us hold fast to the truth that only Jesus saves, restores, and heals—completely and eternally.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?

• What was his/her spirituality?

• What culture did it come out of?

• What were their beliefs?

• Who is their God or gods?

Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned.  Another method of discernment is the word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we will discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.

By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance. 

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