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Acupuncture is a safe Eastern practice except for when it is practiced as a religious practice. Scientific study of acupuncture reveals its effectiveness in a variety health conditions. However, as a Christian believer it is very important that you understand where to set the boundaries. Priestly practices of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in general are given to dark and oppressive forces that will harm spiritual health in an unfavorable way.

Receive

Acupuncture is safe and effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and enhancing immune health. It has been known to stimulate defense mechanisms of the body to fight against disease. When acupuncture is used as a practice for its known medical benefits, with its safety evaluated, and it is practiced medically by an acupuncturist trained as a medical practitioner, then an individual’s faith is not in jeopardy. The key here is to be sure that you thoroughly research the practitioner’s credentials and the outcomes of use in your current health application.

Reject

Shaman and Buddha are roots of harmful priestly practices of acupuncture. Ritualistic uses of needles are dedicated as a sacrificial act of worship in the worship of Buddha and dark entities within Buddhism. This is in direct opposition to Christian faith and the Bible and must be rejected. There are many traditional acupuncturists that do practice with ritualistic and priestly authority. The Christian will be harmed spiritually when embracing these types of practices. An example of this is the use of Moxibustion, which is the burning of Chinese Mugwort incense that is supposed to take away bad energy and revitalize body Qi.

Redeem

The acceptable practices within acupuncture are the use of approved and medically safe acupuncture needles to address legitimate health conditions that are documented in the literature recognized as safe and effective. The key words are medically practiced and regarded as safe. Medical acupuncture uses sterile needles and sterile techniques in clinical applications. A Christian should not use acupuncture if there is questionable legitimacy, safety, and medical benefit.

Relate

Faith is to be active and renewed daily. Acupuncture in and of itself will not hinder your faith. The failure to be obedient to God’s known direction for your health will. Holy Spirit-directed healing is based upon prayerful, careful, and submissive action to this divine leadership. Compromising dark forces within healing systems like acupuncture will have consequences upon faith and must be avoided. The same Spirit with the same powerful healing that is consistent with his purpose for your healing will not deceive. We are not to be given to deceptive spirits and deceptive teachings.

"For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills" (1 Cor. 12:8-11).

Religion Saves

Check out Pastor Mark Driscoll's newest book: Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions. Find out more.