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My stand on the use of hypnotism © George Hartwell of www.HealMyLife.com
Hypnotism, hypnotic suggstion, clinical hypnotism, stage hypnotism is an activity that I would strongly advise you avoid. In my view, Hypnotism has no place in Christian counselling.
My advice is to avoid hypnotism whether it appears to solve a problem in a person's life (stop smoking), or to discover the "hidden event or trauma in one's life" or just for fun on the stage or at a party. The motive for involvement does not erase the urgency of my warning. Supposed benefits so not nullify my stand. The dangers, especially the hidden spiritual dangers, have eternal consequences. The suppossed benefits are short term.
One historical reason for this resolute stand comes from early reports of the charismatic movement people who were prayed for to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit needed to renounce any and every involvement in hypnotism. Where this practice was not followed some prople died.
One legal reason for this resolute stand, is that it can jeapardize a legal proceeding if the "memory" was "discovered" under hypnotism. Such evidence is not admissable. The reason for this ruling is the frequency that hypnotism to discover some "memory" would result in such a memory - a false memory.
So:
Do not use hypnotism to try to discover your past. The Holy spirit will help memories to surface if that is necessary, when that is necessary and when you are ready.
Do not allow yourself to be hypnotized for any reason no matter the assurances you have, not for fun, for relaxation, for recreation, NOT AT ALL.
If you have allowed yourself to be hypnotized it is advisable to confess this and receive a ministry of renouncing this and breaking any stronghold created by this act.
Avoid procedures where you are put into a trance state, where your mind is put to sleep and cannot be the gatekeeper of what enters your heart, imagination and spirit. It is possible to be relaxed and remain alert and I am not warning against these forms of relaxation.
Hypnotism is not the same as prayer or meditation - at least not those forms of meditation where ones mind is able to remain alert. (The Bible put value on being awake, alert, sober and to remain on guard. The mind has a function to guard and discern the content that enters the heart, imagination and spirit.)
Those who choose to honour God in their healing and turn to the Holy Spirit to guide that process will find no need to turn to hypnotism. Healing through prayer, such as Listening Prayer Therapy, honours God and brings Him glory. Hypnotism does not.
Hypnotism is man's technique used without reference to God. Prayer methods include God's healing power, the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit in the therapy.
In my experience, the Holy Spirit does bring events to recall on occassion when such memoris are essential for healing. In my experience confessing sin to God and turning an addiction over to Him is effective in breaking the hold of an addiction. In my experience the healing effects of dealing with problems through the healing touch of God is clean, thorough, and more permanent than any other method available today through man's methods.