Does the law of attraction work? What is The Secret?

TL;DR:

The Law of Attraction, rooted in the New Thought movement, claims that positive thoughts and desires can manifest health, wealth, and success by aligning with a divine energy present in everything. The Law of Attraction is grounded in Gnostic-like philosophy and contradicts Scripture's teaching that God’s will—not human thought—guides outcomes.

what does the bible say?

The Law of Attraction, popularized by Rhonda Byrne's book The Secret, claims that positive thoughts can manifest health, wealth, and success by aligning with divine energy, but this philosophy contradicts biblical teachings. Scripture emphasizes that God, not human thought, determines outcomes, and that His will, not our desires, shapes reality. The Bible rejects the idea that humans can manipulate divine forces, as seen in verses like Isaiah 45:5–7, Psalm 37:4, and Matthew 6:19–21. The Law of Attraction reflects Gnostic-like philosophy, which promotes the illusion of control over life and distorts God's character. Christians are called to trust God's sovereignty and seek His will, recognizing that true success lies in faithfulness to Him, not in material wealth or worldly success.

from the old testament

Isaiah 45:5–7: "I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God." God declares His sovereignty, countering the pantheistic claims of New Thought.
The Bible teaches that God is the sovereign Creator, not subject to human will or manipulation (Isaiah 46:9–10).
Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." When we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts because our hearts align with His will. He does not promise to grant us all our personal desires.

from the new testament

Matthew 6:19–21: Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures, urging believers to prioritize heavenly rewards over material success.
John 9:1–3: Jesus refutes the idea that personal suffering results solely from individual sin or a lack of faith, as claimed by the Law of Attraction.
John 14:13–14 promises answered prayers, but only when they align with God's will.
Romans 8:28 assures believers that "all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose," but God defines this "good," which leads to holiness, rather than comfort.
The Law of Attraction reflects elements of Gnosticism, an ancient heresy the New Testament addresses. Gnosticism emphasizes secret knowledge as the key to spiritual power and salvation. Paul opposes such thinking in 1 Corinthians 1:18–25, declaring that true wisdom and power come from the gospel, not hidden mysteries.
Jesus’s earthly life also counters prosperity theology: despite His perfect faith, He experienced poverty, rejection, and suffering, culminating in crucifixion (Philippians 2:5–8).
The Bible completely rejects pantheism (the idea that God indwells all things) and the idea that human thoughts can exert divine control. Colossians 1:16–17 asserts that Christ, not human thought, sustains all creation.
Second Timothy 3:12: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Scripture acknowledges hardship as a natural part of the Christian faith, contradicting prosperity theology.

implications for today

The Law of Attraction and The Secret appeal to human pride, offering the illusion of control over life’s circumstances. These teachings blend pseudo-science, Gnostic-like mysticism, and distorted theology, promoting self-reliance, rather than dependence on God. These ideas are dangerous, especially when mixed with Christianity, as they lead believers away from biblical truth and into spiritual deception.

While it is true that focusing on a goal may influence effort and outcomes, this is simply the result of natural human psychology, not divine intervention. God’s blessings are not transactional; they flow from His grace, not from human thought or manipulation (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Believers must reject philosophies that distort God’s character and promise worldly success as a measure of faith. Instead, Christians are called to trust in God’s sovereignty, seek His will, and find joy in His eternal purposes. Jesus exemplified a life of surrender to the Father’s will, even when it led to suffering. For Christians, true success lies not in material wealth, but in faithfulness to God’s calling and eternal rewards.

understand

The Law of Attraction contradicts the Bible, which teaches that God's will, not human thought, shapes outcomes.
The Bible rejects Gnostic-like philosophies.
True success is found in faithfulness to God’s calling, not in material wealth or personal desires.

reflect

How do you personally view the connection between your desires and God’s will in your life?
What does it look like to let God shape your heart and desires instead of seeking to control your circumstances through positive thinking or desires?
When facing difficulties, how can you strengthen your trust in God’s sovereignty, even when outcomes don't match your expectations?

engage

What are some of the spiritual dangers of blending the Law of Attraction with Christian beliefs?
How does the Bible define success, and how does it compare to the message of the Law of Attraction?
How can we find peace and joy in trusting God’s plan, rather than focusing on our own desires or material outcomes?