Don Miguel Ruiz a “spiritualist” and “New Ager” penned the best seller book “The Four Agreements”. It has developed quite a following and people seem to be lapping it up like sweet milk, but what should a Christian’s reaction be to this book? Oprah Winfrey had Don Miguel Ruiz on her show and she also believes in the fundamental points of this book. So what are “The Four Agreements”?
They are based upon the ancient people of Southern Mexico that followed “Toltec Wisdom” *”The Toltec viewed science and spirit as part of the same entity, believing that all energy – material or ethereal – is derived from and governed by the universe.”
1. Be impeccable with your word – that is, speak with great integrity, avoid gossip and say only what you mean.
2. Don’t take anything personally – that is, whatever anyone says to you is only a projection of their own reality it is their own dream. Huh? Seriously that is what he is trying to get you to buy.
3. Don’t make assumptions – he claims that this agreement will in itself change your life. He says to communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, basically express exactly what you want.
4. Always do your best – subjected to any circumstance, simply do your best, so you will avoid self-judgment, regret and self-abuse.
As a Christian, my first and main response would be that it is a very self-centered philosophy. It fits the Oprah mantra of “ME, ME, ME” very well, and that would likely be why she had him on her television show. It was definitely a beneficial move for both of them. Basically it is narcissistic self worship, a form of idolatry. It is self- help that does not involve God and even the shunning of God.
It reeks of Shamanism. Shamanism believes that all energy – material or ethereal originates from and governed by the universe. It entails that everything has a spirit and everything is alive, clouds, rivers, dirt, as well as animals and people. It is defined that all things that have spirits are equal with us.
It is plainly sorcery! Let’s see what God has to say about this type of divination and selfishness;
Deuteronomy 18:10 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.”
Leviticus 19:26 “‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying.”
Galatians’ 5: 19-21, The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Philippians 2:3, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Oprah Winfrey and Don Miguel Ruiz both do not agree with (at the time of this writing) Jesus’ words in John 14:6,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
We must pray that the followers of this Shamanism have a conversion experience and become followers of Christ and cease this distortion of the truth.
God Bless
Brian Mason
Beacon Apologetics 