A lot of people are fascinated with crystals, many regarding them to possess mystical power that can be utilized for healing purposes. Some believe that crystals can also stimulate spiritual growth and bring about a positive transformation in life experience. However, you probably haven't seen these being used in your local church. Is there any validity to crystals? Is it possible for Christians to be actively involved with crystal healing and crystal power? What advice does the Bible give in this matter?
Are crystals in the Bible?
Crystals of all different types are cited throughout the Bible. Rubies (Proverbs 8:11), sapphires (Lamentations 4:7), and topaz (Job 28:19) are just a few examples. In Exodus 39:10-13, the Bible shares how the breastplate worn by the Leviticus high priest contained twelve stones, including turquoise, lapis lazuli, agate, amethyst, emerald, and more. In Revelation 21 there is also another list of precious stones, all of them set in New Jerusalem. All of these stones were set to beautify the foundations of the wall of this city.
The Bible also shares a few analogies about crystals, saying the heavenly throne is “as clear as crystal” (Revelation 22:1), and the area before the throne is something like “a sea of glass, clear as crystal” (Revelation 4:6). Ezekiel 1:22 says “spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome”.
Furthermore, the Bible tells us that all things on this earth were created for God by God (Colossians 1:16) which includes these crystals. These stones, even the plain ones we see lying on the roadside, give praise and glory to God (Luke 19:40) because they are His creation. However even though crystals are found throughout the Bible and were created by God, the Bible never assigns any mystical properties to crystals.
How are crystals being used?
To many people crystals are just pretty rocks, however to many they are much more than that. Crystals have long been used as a source of “healing power,” to align “energy portals” in the human body and facilitate inner peace, joy and balance. According to crystal healers, the careful placing of crystals on a patient’s body is supposed to line up with or stimulate the body’s chakras and promote healing. Certain crystals are identified as being helpful healing various conditions, from depression to blood circulation. Others use crystals to ward off evil spirits or bad energy and thus bring good luck. Lastly, some use crystals because they believe it enable contacts with spirit guides and angels.
Should Christians use crystals?
The way crystals are being used is tied back to the New Age Movement. The New Age movement has its roots in Eastern mysticism, and they use spirituality to by hoping to open a person's "third eye", which provides an understanding of the world that transcends the rational mind. None of these beliefs line up with beliefs in the Bible. The Bible does not say that crystals are beneficial for attracting wealth, rekindling romance, or warding off evil spirits; neither does it say that crystals are needed to connect to God’s Spirit. Rather, the Bible warns against working with anything related to superstition and the occult.
Deuteronomy 18:9-12 says "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spirits or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
The use of sacred stones for mystical purposes was common among the pagan peoples of the Bible Lands. God uttered a stern warning to the false prophetesses of Israel, who in their apostasy had adopted the pagan practice of wearing amulets. Ezekiel 13:18, 20 & 21 says, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds, and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power.'"
Furthermore, when believing that crystals hold power it takes away from believing in God’s power. Using crystals for protection or healing is an idolatrous practice. It is idolatry because it depends on spiritual forces other than God for healing and protection. Idolatry is repeatedly and strongly forbidden in the Bible (Deuteronomy 4:15–20; Jeremiah 44:1–4; 1 Corinthians 10:14–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16–17). Simon discovered that the power of God was far greater than the power of the Occult, and that true healing comes from the Lord. Psalm 103:2-4 says “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”
We can appreciate these crystals for what they are: as beautiful pieces of nature that God created. Assigning any supernatural properties from them, however, goes against God and is a direct violation of true Christian beliefs. It's recommended that Christians don't waste their time with these false tools.
