Is Manifesting a Sin? The Answer isn’t Clear-Cut and it Might Surprise You

I can’t be the only Christian who’s confused about how manifesting fits into her faith!

I’ve often wondered: Is manifesting a sin? Is it wrong or “ungodly.” And honestly, I’ve shied away from digging to find out in the past.

If you can relate, if you’ve not made an effort to strengthen or deepen your faith by challenging it and questioning things, I’m right there with ya. 

But we’re unpacking it right now. By the end of this post, you’ll understand how to view manifesting within your faith which will allow you to deepen your faith and become more experienced with navigating the world in relation to your faith.

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Is Manifesting a Sin? And Is it a Sin to Manifest Something?

I like to give you what you came here for right in the beginning of the post. Then you can read further for more explanation. So, is manifesting a sin?

In short, I don’t believe that manifestation is a sin IN AND OF ITSELF. Just because the bible doesn’t directly discuss it, doesn’t automatically mean it’s a sin. But there are some things to consider about manifestation that oppose faith in some ways.

PS- I’ve written a great post for you if you’re new to Christianity.

Snag this free download if you’re feeling like you don’t love where you’re at but you want to make the most of your life right now and incorporate some good feelings!

What is the Law of Attraction and is it a Sin?

The Law of Attraction is a concept that what you put out, you’ll get more of. It’s a philosophy or belief that like attracts like.

So if you are a positive person, you’ll attract more positive people and things into your life.

It may sound a little woo-woo, and I thought that at first too, but I do think there is some truth here. Ultimately, my take on this school of thought is that, yes, if you are generally a positive person, you WILL in fact NOTICE more positive things. 

I attribute this to the simple psychology of how our brain works. As humans, we seek things that confirm what we already believe– this is called confirmation bias.

If you believe that coffee is, say, good for your health, you will seek out information that confirms your belief. You will NOT Google the phrase: “Is coffee bad for your health?” but you probably WILL Google the phrase: “How is coffee good for your health?”

Following the same logic, if you like the idea of positivity and try to be a positive person, your brain is primed to seek out and notice more positive things than negative things.

The way I adapt the Law of Attraction in my life is that I’m priming my brain to think a certain way based on how I allow myself to think.

Are Affirmations a Sin?

Affirmations are short, positive statements about yourself that bring encouragement and build confidence. 

I don’t believe affirmations are a sin at all! Confidence is a great thing, and feeling good about yourself– believing in who you are can only bring positive things into your life (as long as you keep your ego in check).

Try incorporating affirmations cards into your environment!

What is Manifestation?

The Law of Attraction and affirmations are two concepts that are housed within and make up the action/process of manifestation, so that’s why we discussed those first. Before we tackle the question: Is manifesting a sin, let’s cover the basics.

Manifestation is the act of “attracting” good things toward yourself.

People will say, “I’m manifesting that for myself.” What they’re saying is they are essentially sending out “positive vibes” toward the thing they want. In other words, they’re thinking about that thing positively.

Someone might manifest that they get into a training program, or that they get a dog this year. In some people’s terms, they’re “letting the universe know” what they want, and thinking positively about it in hopes that the universe will give it to them.

Snag this free action plan if you’re feeling like you want to make some changes in your life. It will help you create and work toward your goals!

What Qualifies as a Sin?

A sin is when you directly disobey God and what’s in the bible. This is important to establish as we consider if manifestation is a sin or not.

I really like this verse in James that makes it super clear. Basically, if you know what the right thing to do is, and you don’t do it- it’s a sin. 

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17

So to answer the question, “what qualifies as a sin?” we can surmise that sinning is when you do what you know is wrong.

It can get tricky because wrong can sometimes be subjective, right? Think about any controversial topic today, and you’ll see there are people on both sides, disagreeing on what’s right and wrong. Similarly, there’s som controversy on whether or not manifesting is a sin in Christianity.

But the bible is helpful because there are many things within the bible that are clearly stated for us as wrong: lying, having idols (putting anything before God), killing, adultery, theft, etc.

I know it’s cliché but the 10 commandments are a good place to start if you’re newer to your faith and want to get an idea of what’s acceptable and what’s not.

Does Manifestation go Against Religion?

The term “religion” is a sticky term because as a Christian, I don’t really have a religion. Christians will sometimes use a phrase similar to: “It’s not religion, it’s a relationship.” or “It’s not religion, I’m forgiven.”

So, is manifestating a sin in religion? Well, that depends on what religion you’re talking about.

Religion is a lot about rules. I grew up in the religion of Catholicism, which is heavy into rules and traditions. It’s safe to say other religions such as Buddism, Judaism, Islamism, and Hinduism also have rules. 

If it’s not encouraged and regularly practiced in these religions, you might say that manifesting is a sin and considered wrong in that religion.

What Religion is Manifesting from?

According to Manifestations Galore, manifestation has its roots in Hinduism and is also included in Buddhism.

I think that it can be dangerous to pick and choose aspects from various religions that you like and combine them into your own conglomeration.

And I think that’s what some people try to do- piecemeal a religion together that feels good and easy. That’s a slippery slope!

Does Manifestation go Against God and Contradict the Bible?

I think conservative Christians would say, yes, manifestation goes against the Christian faith.

However, I’m not so convinced that it’s as clear-cut an answer as that. I’d say I’m less of a conservative Chrisitan, but a Chrisitan nonetheless. (I’ve written extensiviely on my faith and what I believe, if you’re interested.)

So is manifesting a sin?

I think you can be a Christain and say something like, “I’m manifesting xyz into my life.” and not be sinning. The term manifesting is in our culture, it’s popular, and used oftentimes in a lighthearted way. 

If I say I’m manifesting good weather tomorrow for my picnic, I’m kind of just saying I’m hoping for it. And I think that’s how a lot of people use that term. Hoping for and manifesting have kind of become synonymous. 

If you are manifesting good weather and going home to repeat a chant for an hour in a dark room, and you are asking the universe (not God) for good weather because you deserve it or you’ve been a good person or something, I’d say that’s leaning more toward sin than the example in the previous paragraph.

Don’t Play God

If you’re feeling like the answer to the question, is manifesting a sin is yes in your mind, remember that you definitely shouldn’t try to play god.

I think where manifestations walks the line of sin is when you think you have power and control that you don’t have.

Sure, you have the ability to take action and change a situation to an extent. But that’s it- to an extent. When you lean into manifestation, I think there’s a tendency to think you have the control that God has. And this isn’t the case.

God’s the one who has the ultimate say. Yes, we have free will, but ultimately God’s got the control. 

| Related Reading: Tired of Life’s Pressure? How to Surrender to God

How Does God Manifest in your Life?

Let’s think about the term manifest in a different way. Put on your medical hat for a second. You know how the word manifest is used in the medical world? “Anxiety manifests in my body in the form of quick breathing and a racing heart.”

You could replace the word manifest with the phrase shows up. They’re like synonyms here.

So let’s rephrase our question: How does God show up in your life?

I do believe He shows up all the time! In my own faith journey, it’s been a lot about me taking the time to notice when He shows up, because often, it’s in small ways. Sometimes it’s in big ways and that’s so fun and exciting, but usually it’s small. So it’s helpful to be in tune with God to see how exactly He’s working in your life.

If you’re in a place where you feel like God isn’t showing up, I’d challenge you to be actively thanking Him for what you DO have. This

An Example of a Big Way God Can Manifest in Your Life

You’ve been totally stressed about paying your bills, and you get a surprise bonus at work! Maybe you were praying for it, or maybe you weren’t. But God showed up and provided for you in your time of financial need.

An Example of a Small Way God Can Manifest in Your Life

Your child’s been complaining that she’s not feeling well but you have a long awaited family get together scheduled for tomorrow. Astonishingly, she wakes up the next morning with zero symptoms and she’s so excited to see her cousins today!

What About God’s Sovereignty?

Sovereignty means “supreme power” according to Meriam Webster.

Christians believe that God has complete sovereignty over this earth. He has the ultimate jurisdiction over us, simply meaning, He’s got the ultimate say. 

Some may find this a little intimidating but I have grown to find it comforting. I don’t have to worry about controlling my life so it turns out as good as possible because God’s better at it than me and he’s taken that job on.

| Related Reading: My Top Strategy for Finding Comfort

So how does sovereignty relate to manifestation? If God’s got all the power, does that make you powerless in your life? No, again, remember that we have free will in our lives to choose things. 

Sovereignty comes into play because, yes, we have autonomy in our lives, but God has known the outcome already. He knows what we’ll choose to do and where we’ll choose to go, and that was His plan all along.

The way I view it, there’s nothing I could possibly think hard enough about if God’s already planned for something else. If God’s ultimate plan is for me to move to Africa, no matter what I do, how hard I think about and picture my life in America, or how much I manifest, I’m going to Africa- because that’s what God has for my life. 

In other words, I believe that God’s sovereignty trumps whatever power manifestation has (even if that power is just the power of positive thinking).

What does the Bible say About Manifestation? Does the Bible Teach the Law Attraction/Manifestation?

To put it simply, the bible doesn’t say anything about manifestation in the way we’ve been discussing it. 

The bible and Christianity don’t talk about or teach the concept of manifestation. Instead, the bible teaches that prayer is the go-to action when you want change in your life.

| Related Reading: 3 Misconceptions about Prayer SHATTERED + 3 Tips for More Meaningful Prayer

Philippians 4:6 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Bible Verses about Manifestation

There are a handful of verses in the bible that use the word “manifest” but it’s used in a different way than the manifest we’re talking about. Here are a few examples:

• “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17 
• “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 
• “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21
• “Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 
• “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, …” 1 Corinthians 12:4-31 
• “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 

There are verses, like Mark 11:24 that walk the line of what we discussed about manifestation if you interpret it that way. But it’s always helpful to look at the context of where a verse comes from. 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

Just a few verses before Mark 11:24, Jesus gets upset because people were buying and selling goods in the temple, a place that should be a house of prayer. This verse’s focus is definitely on prayer, but the phrase “believe that you have received it” sounds like it could lean toward the Law of Attraction, no?

I think the “believing that you will receive it” part is about a hopeful expectation. That’s what faith is- a hopeful expectation! We call it faith because it’s not fact. We need hope. 

Examples of Manifestation in the Bible

Other verses that lean toward ideas of manifestation are: 

• “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
• “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” James 1:5-7 

I think if you really tried, you could “bend” these verses in order to say, “Oh yes, the bible teaches about manifestation.”

But I think that’s unwise in a way. It’s important to look at the verses surrounding the ones I just listed to get a full picture. So I challenge you to do that on your own.

Are Manifesting and Praying the Same Thing?

Yes, the bible says that we can pray ask and our requests could be granted, and that we have been given a spirit of power, and that we shouldn’t doubt (possibly meaning that instead we should think positively about something we want and prayed about). 

No, the bible does not say that we have the power to manifest and bring things into our lives just by thinking about it. That’s giving us a bit too much credit.

I want to be clear though, if you’re still wondering: is manifestation a sin or not, right now, what I’m saying is that the bible doesn’t clearly teach it. But the bible also doesn’t clearly teach us how to tie our shoes, but tying our shoes isn’t a sin. Let’s be logical about this.

So, what’s the difference between manifesting and praying?

Put simply, manifesting is hoping to yourself, or directed at the universe. Praying is requesting something from God.

Manifestation is more of an inward act. You’re changing your thoughts to be more positive.

Prayer is more of an outward act. You’re calling out to an entity outside of yourself- God- and asking for something. 

Truth Intermixed into the Practice of Manifestation

So we’ve established that manifestation isn’t directly taught in the bible. We’ve also established that answering whether or not manifestation is a sin isn’t totally cut and dry. 

There are a handful of concepts within manifestation that are parallel with the Christian faith. It could be that manifestation based some of it’s teachings on things from the bible.

• God gives you gifts
• It’s important to notice your blessings
• God answers prayer
• Having a vision for your life and thinking positively is healthy

What about Faith?

Faith Versus Manifestation

How is manifestation different from having faith? The object of our faith is God. The object of manifestation is less concrete- it’s the universe.

Those that have faith are puting their hope in God, whereas those who don’t have faith but practice manifestation are putting their hope in their own positive thoughts and the idea that the inanimate universe will reward them.

I do think it’s possible to have faith and also “play around with” manifestation as long as you don’t try to play God or begin to believe that you have more power than you do.

I don’t think manifestation is a sin if it’s lightly tossed around in the cultural way we discussed earlier in this post. You’re not a “bad” Christian if you toss around the word “manifestation” casually. I think what matters is that you remain rooted in your faith, and not become tempted to take over control using manifestation.

Remember These Things When Thinking About How Manifestation Fits into Faith

• You don’t know what’s best for your life, God does, so leave it in His hands
• Shift the focus off of you and onto God
• Be mindful of how popular culture weasels it’s way into your heart and don’t let it negatively impact your faith
• Getting what you want isn’t always what’s best

What Can I Personally Do?

Instead of Manifesting, Pray and Take Action

If you’re feeling like you want to lean into manifesting for the sake of changing things in your life, I’d say try praying. 

I’ve had so many experiences in my life where God has answered my prayers. It’s amazing and so encouraging! (Reminder that He doesn’t always say yes, and sometimes the answer is “not yet.”)

You can pray even if you’re not a Christian. God’s listening and waiting to hear from you.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” Jeremiah 29:12 

THEN, after you pray, take action. Don’t just sit around on your butt and wait for your circumstance to change. There’s nothing wrong with taking action. Take steps toward the thing you’re praying for.

If you want to get a new job, praying about it is only part of the battle. You also need to take action and send your resume out.

If you want to adopt a child, praying about it is just the beginning. You need to get the process rolling with an adoption agency. Fill out paperwork, take the necessary steps, so that the child God is preparing for you can actually get to you!

The Christian faith is active, not passive! Don’t just talk (pray) about it, BE about it by taking action.

Snag this free action plan to help you take action and know what direction to take. It will help you create and work toward meaningful goals!

How Can I Deepen My Prayer Life?

The first step is to start praying if you’re not already. Starting is hard. But just have a simple conversation with God to get the ball rolling.

Then, to deepen your prayer life, check out this post:

3 Misconceptions about Prayer SHATTERED + 3 Tips for More Meaningful Prayer

How to Manifest as a Christian

Notice your intentions. If you find that you’re manifesting because you don’t think God will help you change or improve your situations, I’d say those are not the best intentions as far as having a healthy faith.

But if you’re just using manifestation as a word or way for hoping for things in addition to praying about them and being active in your faith with God and true in your trust for his provision, I don’t think that manifesting is a sin. 

I’d say just be cautious of your intentions and never let manifesting take precedence over your faith. It’s fine and good and healthy to be hopeful. It’s wonderful for your mindset to think positively. Just don’t let your faith be impacted and watch what you let into your journey of faith.

Let’s Bring it Home

Being a Christian today is confusing. There’s so much out there that we could ascribe to. And some of the woo-woo concepts out there might intrigue you (and I say “woo-woo” in the fondest way, I kinda love woo-woo stuff). I want you to know there’s nothing wrong with exploring concepts you’re unsure of that may impact, work with or against your faith.

Explore and be curious. Challenge your faith so you know what you actually believe! We all have our convictions. I once met a Christian girl who thought that yoga was too deeply rooted in Hinduism for her to practice it. I don’t feel that way at all- I love yoga! 

So work with your convictions. Listen to them, and don’t be afraid to challenge what you believe. It will only make your faith stronger when you do a little digging!

I hope you understand how to view and fit manifestation into your faith and I hope it allows you to deepen your faith. Navigating the world in relation to your faith is such a valuable skill to practice.

Related Reading

17 Ways to Visualize Your Highest Self and Start Showing Up as Her

26 Things to Thank God for when You’re Life isn’t Ideal

What Does “Faith Without Works is Dead” Even Mean?