I've Got a Bridge to Sell You

There is a new craze among some Christians having to do with essential oils. They are touted as the cure-all or healing factor for whatever ails you. Now, to be fair I have not looked at a catalog, or read an article on what they are supposed to do. I have heard stories and testimonials from the believers. 

I am very aware of the biblical passages referencing anointing with oil for various purposes and I am certain that the slick glossy pages of the catalogs have nothing in common with the biblical use of oils. 

What provoked this post you ask? My friend sent me a picture out of one of those catalogs of a bottle of "essential" oil that is intended to "encourage renewed faith in the future and the emotional strength necessary to achieve your dreams." 

Really?

All that from a bottle of flower oil? 

I have seen this kind of thing before from "Christian" television hucksters who promise healing, prosperity, or good vibes in exchange for your money. They are happy to send you a green hanky, a bottle of "miracle water" or a special cracker as a token of their appreciation.  

My friend sent a second picture. This one advertised a 5ml bottle of  oil for forgiveness (for over 60.00!) that "enhances the ability to forgive yourself while letting go of negative emotions, which is an important part of personal growth." 

Are you kidding me?

People really buy this? 

I have no idea whose merchandise this is, nor do I want to know. Ladies, these are lies from the pit of hell. There is no oil that will increase your faith, renew your strength or enable you to "forgive yourself." 

If you want to be encouraged and have "renewed faith in the future and the emotional strength necessary to achieve your dreams" I suggest you put away your wallet and get out your Bible. 

First, ask the Lord to give you some wisdom and discernment so you can avoid being taken for a fool.  

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty. Proverbs 4 

Need "renewed faith in the future?" 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal .2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Looking for strength?


I can do everything (emotional or otherwise) through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13


He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Want to fulfill your dreams? 

Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

The Oil of Forgiveness? 

In all sincerity, there is no oil bought at any price that will "enhance the ability to forgive yourself while letting go of negative emotions." Please understand there is no biblical support for forgiving yourself. You can read the Bible from cover to cover and it is not there, anywhere. If there was some way for you to grant yourself forgiveness, then why did Christ die? 

Yes, I know...this kind of forgiveness the oil will bring is needed for something that you have done that you deeply regret and are struggling to get past. 

It won't work. 

There is only one remedy for all sin, only one way to forgiveness. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:8

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 6:28

When Jesus paid it all, He bought your forgiveness. There is no need to labor or toil in feeble and worthless attempts to earn God's forgiveness. If you have Christ you have all you will ever need. Accept that by faith. 

This nonsense about essential oils has got to stop. 

Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe. Colossians 2:8-10

Ladies, put away your wallet, throw away the catalog, and get in the Word of God. Pray for wisdom and discernment and seek out wise and godly women who are not swayed by such nonsense. If you still are itching to spend that 60 bucks, you can donate it to our ministry. We can use it to further the gospel.