The New Age Is Old Age: Biblical Truth Exposes Modern Deception

Author: Doreen Virtue
Series: Contending for the Word

Introduction

For the past few months, I’ve written weekly articles for Contending for the Word on the topic of Bible stories which relate to modern New Age deception. From the fall in Genesis 3, to the idolaters and sorcerers of Revelation’s judgment, the Bible shows us that the so-called “New Age” isn’t new at all. It’s the same ancient rebellion, recycled in new language and rebranded for modern tastes.

Now, I’ve compiled these articles into a free ebook on Kindle Unlimited called “New Age is Old Age: Biblical Stories That Unmask Modern Deception.” My prayer is that this compilation book would be useful for evangelism and biblical counseling to help those who are entangled in New Age to see the timeless spiritual dangers of these practices.

The Ancient Lie Rebranded

The serpent’s deceitful hiss in Eden that “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5) echoes today in every New Age promise of manifestation, hidden wisdom, or self-divinization. What masquerades as enlightenment is the same deception that enslaved the biblical nations in idolatry, seduced kings into divination, and blinded entire generations.

Bible stories expose the strategies of Satan across time. The magicians of Pharaoh, the prophets of Baal, Manasseh’s astrologers, the medium at Endor, Simon the Sorcerer, and Elymas the Magician and others all illustrate that counterfeit power can’t stand against the true power of God.

Christ’s Triumph Over Counterfeit Power

Yet, every Bible story of apostasy points us to the greater reality of God’s sovereign power. The finger of God triumphed in Egypt. The fire of God fell at Carmel. The wisdom of God revealed mysteries in Babylon. The Word of God silenced sorcerers in the early church. And above all, the Son of God triumphed at the cross, disarming the rulers and authorities and putting them to open shame (Colossians 2:15).

In Christ’s death and resurrection, the decisive victory has been won. No New Age practice, no occult ritual, and no false prophet can overturn the triumph of Calvary.

A Call to Discernment

Those who study the Bible understand that we mustn’t flirt with counterfeits—including not believing their false promises. We mustn’t attempt to blend pagan practices with true faith, as Israel did under Manasseh. We mustn’t try to seek power for self-exaltation, as Simon did in Samaria.

Instead, we’re called to discernment, to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14), and to worship God alone in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Sincere Seekers Need the True Gospel

Our world is filled with spiritual seekers, and many are sincere. Yet sincerity in error can’t save anyone’s soul. The astrologer, the medium, the energy healer, and the guru are all chasing shadows while rejecting the substance that’s found in Christ alone (Colossians 2:17).

The church must beware of these deceptions and respond with compassion and conviction, offering the true Gospel that alone can set captives free.

There Is Nothing New Under the Sun

“There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That truth rings loudly in our day, when what the world calls “New Age” spirituality is a recycling of condemned practices going back thousands of years as recorded in the Bible.

The fascination with idols, astrology, goddess worship, mediumship / necromancy, witchcraft, and sorcery may look modern on the surface. Yet, beneath the surface is the same ancient deception that lured men and women into idolatry, enticed kings to seek omens, and tempted God’s people to trust in counterfeit power instead of God.

From Darkness to Light

God’s Word unmasks the same pattern which continues today: Satan offers counterfeit power, alluring false promises, and spiritual shortcuts. Yet, his counterfeits always end in destruction—as I know from firsthand experience having spent 26 years deeply enmeshed in the New Age until God saved me in 2017.

I then went to Western Seminary full time and earned a Master’s degree so that I could learn to rightly divide God’s Word, since I’d been raised with a false Gospel in the New Thought Christian Science church.

New Age Practices Condemned in Scripture

From Genesis to Revelation, we can see that whenever God’s people or pagan nations engaged in what we’d today call New Age practices (sorcery, astrology, divination, goddess worship, necromancy, counterfeit prophecy, or unauthorized rituals) the result was always judgment, not blessing.

For example:

• Eve listened to the serpent’s promise of hidden wisdom, and it brought death (Genesis 3).
• Pharaoh’s magicians imitated God’s miracles, but their counterfeit power was limited and exposed (Exodus 7–8).
• The Golden Calf showed Israel “manifesting” their own god, which led to wrath and destruction (Exodus 32).
• Nadab and Abihu’s strange fire brought immediate judgment (Leviticus 10).
• Saul at Endor consulted a medium and sealed his destruction (1 Samuel 28).
• Manasseh’s astrology plunged Judah into such wickedness that exile became inevitable (2 Kings 21).
• Jeremiah’s false prophets promised peace where there was no peace, and judgment fell (Jeremiah 28).
• Ananias and Sapphira pridefully sought recognition through deceit, and God struck them down (Acts 5).
• Simon the Sorcerer and Elymas were exposed and rebuked for trying to buy and counterfeit the Holy Spirit’s gifts (Acts 8; 13).

The pattern is clear: New Age practices are old idols repackaged, and God always condemns them. He never blesses syncretism (the attempt to blend true worship with paganism), He never honors counterfeit spirituality, and He never tolerates strange fire.

The Narrow Path and the True Gospel

The narrow path magnifies the exclusivity of the Gospel and underscores that only Christ provides the way into our Heavenly Father’s presence. Every counterfeit crumbles before Him. Where the New Age falsely offers self-exaltation and hidden wisdom, Christ offers forgiveness, truth, and eternal life.

The Modern Resurgence of Ancient Deception

Today, the lure of the New Age is stronger than ever. Surveys show that millions of people (including some who identify as Christians) consult horoscopes, experiment with energy healing, follow social media influencers promoting “manifestation,” boast about their “divine feminine within,” or attend yoga classes with hidden Hindu roots.

The same deceptions that God condemned in Scripture are tragically thriving in our culture, often with a spiritual gloss that makes them look harmless. Yet the Bible warns that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). What looks like light is often darkness in disguise.

God’s Power Is Greater Than Every Counterfeit

At the same time, these biblical accounts encouragingly remind us that God’s power is always greater than the counterfeits. Pharaoh’s magicians couldn’t counterfeit every miracle that God sent through Moses and Aaron. The prophets of Baal were silenced by fire from heaven. The medium of Endor couldn’t alter Saul’s fate.

Daniel received God’s revelation in a way that no astrologer could discern. The apostles rebuked Simon and Elymas, showing that the Holy Spirit can’t be bought or manipulated. And above all, Jesus Christ triumphed over every power of darkness at the cross (Colossians 2:15).

Conclusion

This book contains chapters that were originally articles for the Contending for the Word website, which is part of the Servants of Grace ministry. These chapters were written to expose the false teachings that continue today, just as they did in biblical times. The names and jargon may be different, but it’s the same dangerous apostasy that has tragically crept into some churches.

By revisiting these Bible stories, we see how the New Age isn’t new at all. It’s actually old rebellion dressed in new language.

As you read this book, I encourage you to see each chapter as a mirror for today. The temptations Israel faced in the wilderness aren’t that different from the temptations in your social media feed or your workplace. The same enemy still whispers, the same counterfeits still try to dazzle people, and the same choice remains before us: will we serve the creature, or will we worship the Creator, who is blessed forever (Romans 1:25)?

The New Age is old age. Its promises are recycled lies, its practices are counterfeits, and its unrepentant end is eternal torment. Yet the Gospel offers what everyone is seeking: peace, truth, and hope in Jesus Christ.

The New Age may appear to be modern and trendy, yet the Bible shows that the processes of divination, idol worship, and sorcery are ancient. In “New Age is Old Age,” you’ll see the patterns of New Age practices which began in Genesis 3 and continue until Revelation 22.

This book is a helpful resource for apologetics, biblical counseling, and evangelism to show those who are entangled with New Age deception why God condemns these practices. Readers of this book will see the spiritual dangers of idolatry and sorcery, which are the precursors of Law of Attraction, Wicca, astrology, horoscopes, manifesting, and divination.

May we fix our faith on Christ, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). The old lies have been exposed. The true Light has come. In Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

For more from Doreen please visit her page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.