For many Bible-believing Christians, the answer to this question is a hard “No.” And if that is your personal conviction, I respect that. But I’m going to take a more tolerant view of hypnosis and hope that you will prayerfully consider it with an open mind and (most importantly) an open Bible.
This is a touchy subject, so please do not interpret this article as an unqualified endorsement of hypnosis. It is certainly not that. I believe that hypnosis is a tool. But it’s a high-risk tool that needs to be considered prayerfully and handled with care by someone you trust.
And it’s perfectly reasonable for a Christian –especially a Christian parent — to simply say “No” and steer clear from hypnosis. That is a safe and respectable choice for any believer in Christ. I don’t think it’s a required or necessary conviction for every person, but it’s a reasonable one.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, in which an individual’s conscious mind is relaxed and the person becomes more open to suggestion. It is typically induced through a process of guided relaxation and suggestion, and has been used for various purposes including stress reduction, behavior modification, and therapeutic treatment.
Here’s how a couple of experts put it:
- “Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, which can be induced by a hypnotist, in which the individual’s attention is more focused and suggestions can be made more easily.” (Golan Shahar and Ariel Arnon, “Hypnosis: An Overview,” Psychology Today, April 30, 2014)
- “Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterized by increased suggestibility and receptivity to verbal and nonverbal stimuli.” (Michael R. Nash and Amanda J. Barnier, eds., The Oxford Handbook of Hypnosis: Theory, Research, and Practice, Oxford University Press, 2008)
Generally speaking, there are three types of hypnosis:
- Hypnotherapy
- Stage or Comedy Hypnosis
- Self-guided Meditation
Some would add a fourth type of hypnosis, which would be any kind of focused state of concentration or dream-like state that people often experience throughout the day (like watching a movie, reading a book, engaging in repetitive or mindless activity, etc.).
It should be noted that the exact nature of hypnosis and its effectiveness as a therapeutic tool remains a subject of debate among psychologists and medical professionals.
And if it’s debated by health experts, you can be assured it’s debated in Christian circles. Vigorously so.
Does the Bible address Hypnosis?
Short Answer: No. There’s nothing explicit in the Bible about hypnosis. But…
The Bible has a lot to say about how you should manage your mind. For example:
- “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
- “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
- “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)
- “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:13)
- “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)
And the Bible explicitly forbids giving your mind over to any kind of supernatural activity outside of worship of and prayer to God Himself.
Is Hypnosis Safe?
I’m not a medical professional, so that is a question you’ll need to take to your doctor. And you should never even consider any type of hypnotherapy without first praying about it (of course) and consulting with your doctor. Assuming you’re still interested, then while you line up that appointment, here’s what some of the experts have to say about safety:
- “The truth is that hypnosis is not inherently dangerous, and it is not mind control. Like any other therapeutic tool, it is safe when used ethically and competently.” (Psychology Today, “Is Hypnosis Safe?” 2020)
- “When used properly and under the guidance of a trained professional, hypnosis is a safe and effective tool for accessing the subconscious mind and making positive changes in behavior.” (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “Hypnotherapy”)
- “Hypnosis conducted by a trained therapist or health care professional is considered a safe, complementary and alternative medical treatment.” (Mayo Clinic, “Hypnosis”)
I encourage you to look up the organizations and publications referred to above and research more for yourself. You should also talk with any mental health professional you know. And if you’re considering hypnotherapy for yourself (or a loved one), talk to your doctor.
I’m going to focus on the spiritual aspect of safety.
Hypnosis can be a High-Risk Spiritual Activity
I won’t get into the Trichotomy vs. Dichotomy debate for this article. (If you want my take on that, click to read this article). But we are not just physical beings. We are spiritual beings. And we can either get in tune with God or we can get in tune with the other side. And the Bible warns us repeatedly not to go there.
Not to sound like Star Wars (which incidentally was heavily influenced by Eastern meditation and New Age themes), we are to stay away from the Dark Side. And hypnosis can be a conduit to the Dark Side.
If you’re a skeptic, secularist, or progressive, you are probably rolling your eyes at this point or shaking your head. How can I possibly believe in the supernatural or in angels and demons? But…
I do.
And you should as well.
Any skepticism you have about the spiritual dimension to our reality simply hurts you. It’s clouding your understanding of the reality in which you live.
The supernatural is real. Doubt me? Check out Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts by Billy Hallowell. You can watch an interview about the book here and read a review here.
You should also go to Christian Answers for the New Age and read the articles on that site by my friend and colleague in ministry, Marcia Montenegro. Marcia is a former astrologer who now warns people against the dangers of the New Age movement and alternative spirituality.
Writing on the subject of hypnosis specifically, Marcia warns:
The hypnotic state is the same as the altered states one goes into in Eastern meditation and in occult “centering.” This state is very desired in the occult because occult practitioners (psychics, tarot card readers, mediums, etc.) know that in this state they are more sensitive and receptive to their supposed sources of information and the guidance of their “guides” or other disembodied beings (i.e., fallen angels, though of course, they do not see it this way). All of the popular mediums go into this kind of state to “hear” from the (supposed) dead and recommend it to others as a way to contact their “guides.”
Speaking of the “guides,” the hypnotic state is the state one is put in or goes into in order to meet one’s “guides.” This is how this writer was introduced to a spirit guide, via a guided meditation. When I practiced astrology, I would naturally fall into this state while doing the reading (consultation for the client). It is like having your mind in neutral, open to external or alien guidance that is not from God. Spirit guides are fallen angels.
Marcia Montenegro, “Hypnosis: More Than Meets the Eye” (2019), Christian Answers for the New Age website
Marcia takes a fairly straightforward stance against hypnosis — and for understandable reasons. I don’t want to discount her warnings here. In fact, you shouldn’t even consider hypnosis without your eyes being wide open to the risks.
Nevertheless, just because New Age practitioners as well as pagan spiritualists employ the “hypnotic state” or “altered state” to introduce people to their “spirit guides” doesn’t mean that hypnotherapists or stage hypnotists are using this state in the same manner.
What’s more, Marcia suggests that simply being in such a state opens one up to demonic intrusion or ambush. The reality is that we are arguably vulnerable to demonic intervention or Satan-induced temptations every time we turn on the television or go on the Internet. Perhaps it is to a lesser degree, but the risks are still there. And…
I don’t think that guided meditation or trances for the purpose of meeting one’s spirit guide are the same as a hypnotherapist going through relaxation exercises with a patient or a stage hypnotist tricking people into forgetting their name. The vehicle may be technically similar (even identical), but consider this…
According to this article, the Toyota Prius is a popular getaway car for bank robbers. Does that mean that, if you buy a Toyota Prius, you’re planning to rob a bank?
A trance is a trance. Meditation is meditation. It’s an activity. How you’re using that activity and what you are focused on matter.
Those things matter a lot.
Bottom line: If you engage in a trance-like, meditative, or hypnotic state in order to meet a “spirit guide” or tap into some kind of spiritual or supernatural power or insight apart from God… then… Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! Don’t go there!
But if a competent, trained, and trustworthy hypnotherapist (or even entertainer) is using hypnosis for reasons that are well-understood, reasonable, and acceptable, then I believe this falls into the category of Christian liberty.
Be cautious. Be wise. Be in prayer.
And follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. He won’t steer you wrong.
For more on this subject, check out the following links:
- The Christian Hypnosis Association
- “Hypnosis as a Clinical Tool” (Focus on the Family)
