The topic of “theotherapy” caught my attention recently on the local Christian television station. The speaker said “good theology makes good psychology,” which sounded good at first. But the more I listened, the more I realized they were promoting Sozo, which is the exact same thing I wrote and warned about over two years ago. They’ve just renamed it (again) to try to make it sound more theologically sound.
Yet, the “inner healing” movement is still founded upon the lie that one can use their imagination to hear from God. And the counseling techniques used to conjure up these experiences are the same ones used in the occult, mainly “guided imagery” and “visualization.” The mediators who assist these experiences are called “theotherapists,” in order to gain access within Christian circles.
Just another fulfillment of prophecy the Bible warns about (e.g. Acts 20:28-30, Gal.2:4, 2Pet.2:1). But the mission of every born-again believer is to warn others and keep proclaiming the solid theological foundation of the true gospel, so that those who love the truth will be able to discern a counterfeit gospel a mile away, which is all “theotherapy” really is (2Thess.2:9-10).
Ironically, the bad theology behind bad psychology is a major cause of mental and spiritual damage. And sadly, many never come out of the deception once they’ve been fooled by the placebo effects it produces. But by the grace and mercy of God, He’s been leading many of the captives out, who’ve been contacting me ever since I first wrote about it (2Tim.2:24-26). Because “the sheep hear His voice; and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (Jn.10:3).
When the Holy Spirit truly convicts us of sin, we’re led to go to God for mercy and to humbly ask Him for all we need to be saved (repentance and faith). So that we can truly comprehend by faith that Jesus’s blood was shed to cover our sins and reconcile us to God. It’s that simple, which is why the complicated methods and techniques of man don’t work, but leading people to go to God for mercy thru Jesus Christ does (2Cor.11:3). Because the true gospel and those who proclaim it are the means God has chosen to set His people free.
Only true Christianity is based solely on salvation by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Jesus Christ ALONE. All false religions are centered upon outward performance rather than inward change, which causes them to be enemies of the cross of Christ (Gal.6:14, Phil.3:18). Every false religion in the world is built upon that same legalistic foundation. The only difference is that they all just build upon it differently; depending on what each sect thinks are the most important outward performances for obtaining FULL salvation (remember this because they imply that Jesus is not a complete Savior).
For instance, some think its snake handling, some think its water baptism, and others think it’s wearing certain clothes or choosing certain types of transportation. Then again, some think it’s “deliverance” techniques such as those used in Sozo, which ironically means “to save” in Greek —– (did you catch that)?
So friend, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col.2:8). “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1Cor.1:18). Because salvation is of the Lord and He finishes the good work He begins in His people, so that they don’t have to be made complete and whole by their own efforts or the works of a “theotherapist” (Psa. 37:39-40, Phil.1:6). Because those who are born again by His Spirit “are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Col.2:10).
Sis. Lee Anne
Christ Rescued Me! 