Eckankar - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Eckankar is a new religion founded in 1965 and headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Similar to other Eastern religions, they believe that the soul is an eternal fragment of the impersonal divine spirit which inhabits people on a journey of self and God realization. Conscious contact with the divine spirit via spiritual exercise and expensive classes accelerates this journey. It’s all about creating your own experiences. They believe they can actively explore the spiritual worlds through soul travel, dreams, and chanting HU to escape the physical body and travel freely on other planes of reality. The goal, become a “coworker with God,” or achieve union with God and hence your own godhood. Although they believe in karma and reincarnation, to them, there is no sin except soul ignorance.
Eckankar is nothing more than Hinduism in another package. Its real purpose, the exaltation of self, is the same old lie Satan sold to Eve. The counterfeit is so convincing, it seems real. But it is demonic. Beware once you open yourself to demonic activity, there is no end to the lies and deception. Demons are real. Angels are real. The occult comes in many forms, so avoid them all and always go to the Bible for truth.

1. The Power of Jesus is profoundly at work today. Name two or three of the most significant way Satan battles against the spread of the gospel and the growth of believers in your world today?

   • 2 Corinthians 11:12–15.

   • 1 Peter 5:8.
     

Consider This

The victory of Jesus over occultism is one of the threads of Acts, and Acts 19:13-20 provides another example for believers of “… greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b). Conversely, it also demonstrates that, apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, there is ultimately no protection against Satan and his demonic realm.

1. What does Deuteronomy 18:10–12 tell you about the “spiritual” practices of Eckankar?

2. Read through Acts 19:8-20.

   • Why couldn’t Satan stop the gospel from spreading?

   • Do you think the handkerchiefs and aprons mentioned here had magical powers in and of themselves? What did they symbolize (see Acts: 19:11)?

   • What are some occult elements of Eckankar?
     

3. The Bible tells us to “… always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Upon whom should we rely when sharing our faith story according to Matthew 10:18-20?

4. Consider Luke 10:17-20, Acts 4:12, 30, and Philippians 2:9-11. Why is the name of Jesus so powerful? How does this truth apply to you and your daily walk with God?

5. What characterized many of the people of Ephesus according to Acts 19:18-19 before they believed? What characterized them after? What principles from their actions here apply to people today? How?

6. The name of Jesus has power over demons, but only for those who are believers—followers of Christ. Why is this true according to 1 John 5:19 and Ephesians 2:1-2?

7. Speaking in the context of unforgiveness, Paul said he was not ignorant of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). What are some other ways that Satan uses to make believers ineffective? How can believers avoid these snares?

Moving Forward

There are many doors to the occult, drugs, alcohol, movies, mystical religions, games, some music, and porn. But faith in Christ brings an awareness of the reality of the occult. Paul said not to give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Can you think of any area in your life where Satan has or might gain a foothold? This week, read Ephesians 6:10-19 each day and put on the Armor of God.

1. Repent from dabbling in the occult

2. Remove anything related to the occult

3. Release God’s power in your life

“… take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,”
Ephesians 6:16