Exploring Hypnosis Through a Christian Lens

When I began to reconnect with my faith, I wasn't immediately aware of how many Christians feel about hypnosis. I began my training in hypnosis about six months after my daughters and I started attending a local church. Nothing about the practice seemed occult or anti-Christian, so it didn't raise any concerns for me.

Perhaps that's because my first experience of hypnosis wasn't a stage show where people surrendered all self-control and ended up clucking like chickens. Instead, my trainers - DeeJay and JoJo Jackson, who teach a form called conscious hypnosis, guided me to regain control of my nervous system, which immensely helped my recovery. I had experienced a traumatic brain injury followed by a prolonged period of abuse, and my nervous system was in complete disarray. As a result of the traumatic brain injury, I was diagnosed with a condition called functional neurological disorder and was having seizures nearly daily - I seemed unable to recover physically or emotionally, and doctors had run out of solutions. I had been praying for healing and had seen some improvement, but like the parable of the man in the flood who kept refusing help, I genuinely feel that God sent me conscious hypnosis as a tool to continue my healing journey, and so I jumped in the boat.

The style of hypnosis I was taught, called "Jacksonian Conscious Hypnosis", helped me regain my sovereignty after years of manipulation. It helped me to rebuild my mind and body, and for me, really embodied these verses:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Anything that bypasses your Spirit-led self-control is contrary to God's design for believers. Through the tool of conscious hypnosis, I began to regain control of my nervous system and body, which in turn reduced my seizures, migraines, and pain.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Since that experience, I've encountered numerous Christians who are genuinely concerned about hypnosis. These concerns stem from a love for God and a desire to protect their faith. I understand that. So let me address the most common questions I hear with biblical responses and practical clarity.

Does Hypnosis Mean Losing Self-Control?

One of the biggest fears Christians express is that hypnosis involves surrendering self-control, which contradicts the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23.

Here's the truth: during conscious hypnosis, you remain fully aware, voluntary, and in control. You can stop at any time. You can reject suggestions that don't align with your values. This isn't about handing over control; it's about enhancing focus and self-mastery, much like biblical meditation or prayer, where the mind is directed towards positive change.

Hypnosis can actually increase self-control by helping you overcome habits or fears. It aligns with God's gift of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and supports the renewing of your mind to discern God's will (Romans 12:2).

Think about everyday trances: listening to worship music, reading Scripture, even scrolling social media. All of these induce a relaxed, suggestible state, yet we don't lose our core control or values. Hypnosis, when used ethically, is simply a natural tool for focused attention.

Does Hypnosis Make You Vulnerable to Demonic Influence?

Another concern is that hypnosis makes you vulnerable and suggestible, potentially opening doors to negative spiritual influences.

I understand this caution. Choosing a trusted, faith-aligned practitioner matters deeply. It's important to note that vulnerability exists in any relaxed state - watching television, daydreaming, or even drifting off during a boring meeting. These everyday trances involve suggestibility; they don't inherently invite evil, but can still carry risk. That's why most people, and especially parents I know, are very mindful of the environments they expose their families to.

In conscious hypnosis, suggestions are positive, client-approved, and can be filtered through Scripture. They can't force actions against your will or beliefs. Biblical figures experienced God-ordained trances without harm. Peter fell into a trance and received a divine vision (Acts 10:10). Paul experienced a trance whilst hearing from the Lord (Acts 22:17). These examples show that altered states of consciousness can be holy when directed towards good.

The Bible tells us to "be alert and sober-minded" against the devil (1 Peter 5:8). Conscious hypnosis encourages vigilance, not passivity. It can strengthen your resistance to temptation by helping you take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). An example of this is when hypnosis is used to stop an undesired habit, like smoking.

Does Hypnosis Have Occult Roots?

Some Christians worry that hypnosis has occult origins or ties to forbidden practices like sorcery.

Modern therapeutic hypnosis is a psychological tool based on natural brain processes, not mysticism. Its historical associations, such as with Franz Mesmer in the 18th century, don't define it any more than electricity's early "occult" perceptions define modern medicine.

No Bible verse directly prohibits hypnosis. Passages warning against sorcery (Deuteronomy 18:9-13) refer to pagan rituals seeking supernatural power outside of God - not self-directed mental focus. Many Christian denominations, including Catholic and Anglican traditions, endorse therapeutic hypnosis when it's free of occult elements.

When used to glorify God and promote healing, hypnosis aligns with thinking on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right" (Philippians 4:8). As our struggle is against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), Christ-centred hypnosis can help equip us for this battle rather than expose us to harm.

Does Hypnosis Focus Inward on Self Rather Than on Christ?

A final concern is that hypnosis encourages self-focus instead of Christ-focus.

Conscious hypnosis can be explicitly Christ-centred. It can use Scripture-based suggestions to deepen faith, cultivate forgiveness, or break destructive habits. This mirrors prayerful meditation, where inward reflection leads to outward transformation.

Hypnosis is a way to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and align your subconscious with God's truth. Every day, trances, such as reading the Bible or listening to sermons, also involve suggestibility towards good influences.

The Bible encourages us to "fix our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). Hypnosis can help you visualise and internalise this focus. It's similar to meditating on God's law day and night (Joshua 1:8), a form of repetition for spiritual growth.

Moving Forward with Discernment

I encourage you to approach hypnosis with prayerful discernment. Ask God for guidance. Choose ethical practitioners who honour your faith. Consider how hypnosis might support God's desire for your wholeness: "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

Hypnosis helped me reclaim peace after trauma. It gave me tools to guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23) and exercise self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). For me, it wasn't a departure from faith; it was an answer to prayer.

If you're curious about how hypnosis might support your healing journey, I invite you to book a clarity call. Let's explore together how this tool can align with your faith and help you move forward with confidence and peace.

Book your clarity call today and discover how faith-aligned hypnosis can support your healing.