AliTaylor Swift says karma’s like a cat purring in her lap. Just another example of how karmic beliefs permeate today’s culture. But is karma real? And what does the Bible say?
WHAT IS KARMA? — THE ORIGINS
Wikipedia defines karma as:
a principle of cause and effect … wherein an individual’s intent and actions (cause) influence their future (effect): Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and happier rebirths while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and worse rebirths.
The principle of karma finds its origin in the Indian (and Asian) religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. An AI karma search echo’s Wiki’s definition: “positive actions lead to happiness and negative actions to suffering, often across lifetimes through reincarnation.”
IS KARMA REAL? – A MODERN TWIST
The Western world was founded on biblical principles, but Eastern mysticism has been gaining ground since the 1960’s, if not earlier. In fact, it’s the origin of New Age philosophy, which is the pseudo-religious garb that’s dressing Hollywood and mass media these days.
Everywhere God and prayer aren’t welcome, you’ll find karma.
An easy example is the evolution of Hallmark’s feel good Christmas movies. I love these charming, predictable tales, especially with a mug of hot cocoa. Everything’s so pretty, with bows and lights in all the right places. Alas, the Universe gets a frequent nod where God used to get the credit. And karma? Ah yes. Karma-speak is welcome.
Beyond the entertainment industry, this worldview is influencing everything from healthy beverages to handbags. Karma branding is everywhere.
So what are the details? This is the sometimes-true philosophy that “what goes around comes around.” More clearly: Do good and good will come your way. Do bad and social media is there to capture it. Or so the premise goes. Karma declares that in the eyes of the Universe, we’re all on a judgment-free learning curve, with multiple lives ahead to get it right.
Now, what does the Bible say?
IS KARMA REAL? – THE BIBLE SAYS NO (PER JESUS)
First, let’s get some context. God’s Word reveals our human reality to be in sharp contrast to karmic religion. It’s fascinating to note however, that Jesus’ disciples were just as confused as many modern New Agers. The Gospel of John 9:1-7 sheds some much needed light:
“As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him: ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. … While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’
After saying this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. … So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”
Even Jesus’ disciples had a karmic view of suffering, which He corrected. This man’s disability was not a punishment for sin.
In the light of Old Testament teaching, the Twelve would have understood that the world was broken due to original sin. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and the consequences rocked the natural world. Death and disease ravaged Creation. This included disabilities like the blind man suffered. But Jesus clarified that his condition was not caused by individual sin. It was not a karmic consequence. Rather, it was an opportunity for Jesus to show compassion and offer Divine healing.
No, this planet is not spun by karmic forces, and neither are there multiple lives per person.
IS REINCARNATION REAL? – THE BIBLE SAYS NO (PER JOHN)
A key component of karmic principle is the belief in reincarnation. According to the AI Overview, “reincarnation is the belief that the soul or non-material essence of a living being begins a new life in a different physical body after death … It is also called rebirth or transmigration, suggesting the soul’s continuation in human, animal, or spiritual forms, aiming for enlightenment.”
There are hundreds of verses in the Bible which argue against this philosophy. The most striking may be Hebrews 9:27 (quoted here in the old King James Version) –
it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment …”
One day, perhaps not too long from now, your soul will stand before the Living and Holy God. The question is: Are you ready?
He is Holy. But — such relief! He is also a God of pure Love! John’s first letter (4:8) says simply:
… God is love.”
Jesus, God in the flesh, came and lived the perfect sinless life that you and I couldn’t live. He died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins, to reconcile us to God.
Will you repent of your sin — will you place your trust and faith in Jesus? Follow my link to Moment By Moment’s first post, to learn more about salvation.
KARMA – A SYSTEM FUELED BY PRIDE AND DESPAIR
The karmic worldview is more than mere error, it’s a narrative that imprisons people and cultures in chains of pride, despair and oppression. These are strong words, I know. I’m not trying to be heavy-handed or uncharitable. But India’s caste system is rooted in karma’s dehumanizing religious narrative. It’s boiled down to these bare bones …
1. The Snare of Pride
Everything’s going your way? Why be grateful? You’ve earned it. That cat purring in your lap? It’s karma. That fat bank account, flourishing career and glittering reputation? All thanks to you. So give yourself a pat on the back. Congratulations. You’ve been born into Hinduism’s highest caste – the Brahmins.
Pride, in case you’re not aware, is the worst sin of all. Hate is rooted in pride. And the greatest tragedy of all – rejecting God’s grace – is due entirely to pride. No wonder Scripture rails on this vice so fiercely (James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5):
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Beware if you call yourself “a self-made man” or you sing to the chorus of “I did it my way”. Kneeling before God is the only appropriate position, and His way is far above yours.
The Weight of Despair
On the other end of the caste spectrum are the Dalits. If this is your lot in life, it’s truly a trench of despair. According to much research (take a look at this article from Carnegie Endowment on human rights), in the karma-coerced Hindu hierarchy, one cow is worth the lives of five Dalit humans. Yes, you read that right. A person of the Dalit caste is valued as one-fifth of a cow.
Diseased and living in squalor? Well, you must have been a really bad person last time around. Compassion is unwarranted. And, just like the Brahmin, you are getting what you deserve. Is this not the most hideous belief system imaginable?
This is the havoc wrecked by the principle of karma – the backbone of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Karma is a lie, and its fallout is barbarism.
THE PRINCIPLE OF KARMA VS. THE LAW OF MORAL CONSEQUENCES
It is true in life – often you reap what you sow. But there’s a difference between the principle of karma and the law of moral consequences.
The Bible’s book of Proverbs is full of examples of cause and effect — the general rules of decision-making and morality. It’s wisdom, really.
For example, if you save your money you’ll likely have funds for food and shelter.
If you are kind to people there’s a good chance they’ll be kind back. Not always.
If you keep sexual relations within marriage you’ll avoid much heartache.
If you live a life of violence there’s a high probability you’ll die young.
This is simple morality, and it’s the way God wants things to work. His Ten Commandments weren’t handed down to stop us from having fun – they’re instructions for a healthy and moral life.
This is not karma – it’s not salvation. And, these principles of wisdom can sometimes fail when they collide with a fallen world.
Our trailblazer Jesus lived the perfect life, the wise life — and from a ‘worldly’ point of view, things didn’t end well for Him. He exposed just how upside down our world really is …
THE TRUE NATURE OF LIFE – THE ANTI-KARMA
The truth is, often bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people.
In fact, the worst thing happened to the best Person.
Jesus = 100% human + 100% God.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. The life you couldn’t live. The life I couldn’t live. He loved with supernatural love – such a love that the Greek language came up with a new word for it – agape.
Jesus died as a tortured criminal, bearing the sins of the human race. He endured the punishment of hell that you and I deserve, so that if we repent and trust in Him, our sins are washed away. We can stand before God, clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
In contrast to this, karma is nothing but a sick joke. A terrible lie. And an insult to God.
SOME FINAL WORDS FROM JESUS
“Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered,
‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’” (Luke 13:1-5)
IS KARMA REAL? — SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
I welcome questions and comments and I will always respond.
God bless you and keep you. – Ali 🙂