Are using hand signs like Mudras to meditate or pray considered worshiping other gods?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A Mudra is a symbolic hand gesture used in Hindu and Buddhist ceremonies and statuary, and in Indian dance. Eastern teachings such as meditation and yoga are popular and many Christians worldwide today have some involvement in Hindu and/or Buddhism through the practice of yoga.  There is a wide variety of meanings within the various gestures using both the hands and the body itself. The purpose of a Mudra is to deepen a person's spiritual life and redirect their energy. The religions that use Mudras are based upon false gods, not the True and the Living Creator God of the universe. They are also based upon the use of superstitious hand gestures that cannot bring you into any right relationship with God but might even attract spirits that will lead you away from God. The gods of these religions are not gods at all (Acts 19:26), but the meanings behind the hand signs generate worship or spiritual involvement related to those pagan gods.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The focus of the commandments in Exodus 20:1-7 is on the supremacy of the LORD God.  ‏“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God...You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
• In Psalm 51:10 King David prayed that his heart would be right in the sight of the Lord. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." The focus of our hearts and lives should be completely on the true and living God.
• Rather than meditate upon false gods, which the Lord condemns, we are told to hide God's Word in our hearts and to meditate on His truths (Psalm 119:11). Mudras do not lead to the worship of the God of the Bible.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Acts 19:23-26, the apostle Paul confronts men dealing with false gods and condemns their use of idols and idol worship.
  
• 1 Corinthians chapter eight uses the example of food being offered to idols as a stumbling block to others. One of the issues here is that this might cause a Christian brother or sister to fall from their beliefs because of what we do. The use of any idol worship, including hand signs, could be substituted for food in this passage, and thereby cause someone to do something that is not of faith. Whatever is not of faith, is sin.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many Christians have promoted the practice of "holy yoga" which "Christianizes" the pagan practice. Besides the fact that the mudras may attract pagan spirits into your life, they may also cause others to stumble into Hinduism or Buddhism as they watch your use of such gestures and practices.

We should be careful not to do practices or participate in things that are not honoring to God, and we should also be careful that we do not use our Christian liberties to cause a brother to stumble (1 Corinthians 8).

The bottom line is that Mudras and yoga do not "align" with Christ at all and must be avoided. The posture of the Christian's worship, including the way we live our lives, must be a contrite and humble heart (Psalm 51:17).

The Christian life is not enhanced by borrowed rituals or mystical gestures but transformed by a renewed mind that leads to a life that lives according to God's ways. Scripture calls us to flee idolatry, pursue holiness, and love others enough not to blur spiritual lines that God has made clear. True worship is not about postures of the body but posture of the soul—a contrite heart, surrendered fully to Christ, refusing substitutes and reflecting Christ with undivided devotion.

UNDERSTAND

• Mudras are hand signs used in the worship of the false gods of eastern religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Using hand signs does not bring the believer into a close relationship with God but redirects one to meditate on the unseen spirit world.
• The practice of using Mudras may invite unwelcome demonic spirits into the Christian's life.

REFLECT

• How do you view the spirits behind the gods of false religions?
• What is the heart attitude and focus God wants for His followers?
• How do you understand the importance of prayer?

ENGAGE

• What should we do to encourage others to focus their hearts upon the Lord alone?
• How can we explain the dangers of using Mudras and other elements of eastern religions to our family and friends?
• How can we respond to the temptation of others to follow eastern signs and practices?