Source: christianity.com
You've probably heard of the term “manifesting” I mean, lately, it seems everyone is jumping on the “manifesting” bandwagon. Whether it be a friend who insists they manifested their dream job, or on social media where influencers hype up a storm by talking about how you can manifest your way to success.
The idea is that by focusing your thoughts and emotions on what you want, you can attract those things into your life. Sounds pretty awesome, right? Who wouldn’t want to just think their way into a million dollars or a dream vacation?
But before you start daydreaming about your private island (complete with personal butler and pet tiger), it’s worth asking: What does the Bible say about all this? After all, if you’re a Christian, you might be wondering if there’s any overlap between manifesting and biblical teachings on success, or if it’s just some trendy, woo-woo stuff you should steer clear of.
Let’s dive into it to see if manifesting is a tool that God uses to guide us toward success, or does it lead us away from Him?”
What Is Manifesting, Anyway?
For those not entirely sure what manifesting is, its the act of making something happen by imagining it and consciously thinking that it will happen (Cambridge Dictionary). The idea is rooted in the “law of attraction,” which says that like attracts like. If you’re radiating positive vibes and imagining the life you want, the universe will supposedly reward you by making it happen.
So, if you’ve ever pictured yourself walking out of work like a boss, holding a winning lottery ticket, or hitting the gym only to leave with a six-pack (somehow), congrats—you’ve dabbled in manifesting.
But here’s where things get a little murky. While it’s easy to get excited about the power of positive thinking, manifesting, in its popular form, tends to focus on us—our thoughts, our desires, and our power to control outcomes. This is where things get a bit tricky when we start comparing it to what the Bible says.
The Bible on Success: Spoiler Alert, It's About More Than You
If you crack open a Bible and search for verses about success, you won’t find instructions that say, “Dream it, and it will happen.” Instead, what you’ll find is a lot of wisdom about hard work, faith, humility, and dependence on God.
Take Proverbs 16:3, for example: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Here’s the key difference: manifesting often puts the power in our hands, whereas
the Bible points us toward committing our efforts to God and trusting that He will guide us toward the right outcomes. It’s less about "I will make this happen" and more about "God, guide my steps and help me align with Your will."
Another great verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” While manifesting teaches that we should rely on our own mental power, this verse reminds us to trust God and His plan, even when we can’t see the whole picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, but does that mean I can’t dream big or work towards success?” Think again! The Bible is full of encouragement to work hard, pursue excellence, and even succeed.
1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” this verse shows the true meaning of manifesting. Dreams come FROM God. God's intent (from the beginning of creation) was for us to prosper (be fruitful and multiply). Dreams are given by God, but not for our own fulfillment but the advancement of His Kingdom.
This poses the question. If we're manifesting success, what are we actually living for? Christ or ourselves?
Can We “Manifest” Success as Christians?
So, where does this leave us? Is manifesting completely off the table for Christians?
Not necessarily, but we need to redefine it a bit. You see, positive thinking is actually pretty biblical! God wants us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and to dwell on what is true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). There’s definitely value in keeping our thoughts positive and trusting in God’s goodness for our future.
“The universe isn’t a magic vending machine where you put in some good vibes and out pops success. As appealing as that sounds, it sidelines God and His will for our lives.”
However, the popular version of manifesting—where the universe serves as your personal genie—strays into territory that contradicts biblical teachings. The universe isn’t a magic vending machine where you put in some good vibes and out pops success. As appealing as that sounds, it sidelines God and His will for our lives.
Instead, Christians are encouraged to pray, ask God for guidance, and trust that His plans are best, even when they don’t match up with our dreams of a mansion, yacht, or 6-figure salary. James 4:13-15 reminds us that our plans are ultimately in God’s hands: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow... Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
The Role of Faith, Work, and Action
So, while visualizing success is one thing, faith and action are where the real magic (or, should I say, divine power) happens. Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). God honours diligence and effort. Even Paul, the super-apostle, said that whatever we do, we should work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23). That sounds more like putting in the grind than sitting around waiting for the universe to deliver.
In a nutshell: Don’t just sit on your couch “manifesting” your goals. Pray about them. Ask God to guide your steps, and then move those feet. He’s not just going to drop a business in your lap—you’ve got to work for it.
The bottom line is that manifesting success in the trendy sense can easily become about self-reliance, while the Bible teaches reliance on God. While it’s good to think positively, dream big, and pursue success, Christians are called to do it differently: by committing everything to God, working hard, and trusting in His plan—even when it doesn’t line up with the vision board.
Success isn’t just about having the biggest house or the fattest bank account. It’s about living a life that honors God, serves others, and ultimately fulfills a greater purpose than our personal desires. So, go ahead and set goals, dream, and visualize—just make sure you’re doing it with God at the centre. Because let’s face it, the One who created the universe probably has better ideas than we do.
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