Christianity and Tai Chi

Tai Chi is more specifically called Tai Chi Chuan, which can be translated as “supreme ultimate force.” Tai Chi is a martial art, though it’s often called a “moving meditation” since the movements are done slowly and deliberately, and it is taught more as a meditative and health enhancing practice than as a martial art. Though its origins are unclear, the foundation of Tai Chi is the Taoist belief in a universal energy called chi (also spelled qi or ki depending on the language of origin). Chi is believed to be the binding life force in the universe, existing both externally and internally, moving through invisible channels in the body called meridians. 

Taoism teaches that strengthening and reinforcing one’s inner chi will bring good health and long life as well as spiritual benefits. Certain breathing techniques, meditations, and bodily movements are taught to cultivate and enhance the chi. This belief is the basis of Tai Chi. There is no supreme God or Creator in Taoism; all originated from the Tao, which is an impersonal principle or source of creation.

From the Tao came yin and yang, two forces that manifested in creation. These forces appear opposite but actually are in a state of constant flux, merging with each other. The chi flows more harmoniously when yin and yang are balanced; this balance is brought about through special diets, herbs, exercises, breathing techniques, and bodily movements. Tai Chi therefore has a worldview at odds with the Christian worldview. It is based on a Taoist spiritual view of the body and the chi, and how to enhance the chi, a view incompatible with how the Bible tells us we were made—in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

Jesus Christ created and holds the world together, not the Tao or an invisible force called chi: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). Doing Tai Chi, even for physical purposes, is paying homage to a spiritual belief system at odds with God’s Word.

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What is your true motivation for serving God?

2 Kings 5:20-27

A man named Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army and he had great favor in the eyes of the Syrian king.  However, Naaman had leprosy and was told that there was a prophet in Samaria who could heal him.  Naaman asked the king of Syria if he could go find this prophet and the king gave him permission and told him to take some gifts to the king of Israel.  Naaman eventually came before Elisha and was healed of his leprosy.  In an effort to show his gratitude Naaman offered Elisha some of the treasures he had but Elisha graciously refused Naaman’s offer.  

Gehazi, one of Elisha’s servants decided that they should take some of Naaman’s gifts, after all Elisha did heal him.  So Gehazi found Naaman and lied to him saying Elisha decided to take some of the gifts. Gehazi then took the ill-gotten gifts her received from Naaman and hid them in a house.  Upon returning to Elisha, Gehazi was questioned about his whereabouts and actions and of course he did not tell the truth.  However, he was exposed by Elisah and then immediately judged for his deeds.

For those who serve God in any capacity and those of us who desire to serve God there is a very important question we must ask ourselves and that is what is our motivation?  The unfortunate reality is God’s church has been exploited and while there are many who serve out of the goodness of their hearts; there are many more where this is not the case!  Is our desire to serve God based on some underlying motive to profit for ourselves monetarily or socially?  This message is not suggesting that those who labor for God should not be compensated or taken care of, but compensation should not be our motivating factor. 

The word of God says that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added (Matthew 6:33).  There are many who are like Gehazi that think we are entitled to certain privileges and status because of what we say we are doing for God.  So instead of allowing those “things” to be added we begin to do things to make sure we get what we think we deserve.

While we may successfully hide our true intension from the folks around us because they have bought into our religious charade; we have not fooled God in the least bit.  Elisha asked Gehazi, “Did not my heart gowith you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you?”  God is saying is not His heart/spirit everywhere we go; am I not all knowing?  There are a lot of very prominent people going around teaching, preaching and prophesying operating in the very same spirit of Gehazi.  The sad thing is many of them started out with pure intension but allowed desire of wanting more before it was divinely added to pervert their hearts. 

Again, this is not about folk who labor for God not be well compensated; this is about when being compensated is our primary motivation.  Elisha also asked Gehazi, “Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?”  There is a time and a season for everything under the sun, even a time, if it is in God’s will for us, to have the things we desire added.

Whether it’s in church, on our jobs, or even among our family and friends we have to be mindful of our motivation for whatever we are doing.  God would like nothing more than for us to serve Him by being a blessing to our fellow man, but the moment we expect something in return is where we open a door for the enemy to enter.  There is nothing wrong if we accept someone’s token of gratitude, but the moment we start to expect something it is no longer a token of gratitude; it becomes our motivation.