Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy and practice that focuses on harmonizing human environments with surrounding energies and forces. The word “feng shui” translates to “wind-water” in English. This name refers to the belief in feng shui that the environment can be optimized through the proper flow and balance of the metaphorical winds and waters, or energies. While feng shui has seen a surge of popularity in Western cultures in recent years, Christians may have reservations about fully embracing its tenets, as some of them derive from Eastern religions and folk beliefs outside the Christian faith.
At its core, feng shui revolves around the concept of chi, which is believed to be the universal life force flowing through all things. The goal of feng shui is to maximize the flow of positive chi and minimize negative chi through proper arrangement and orientation of one’s surroundings. This is said to attract good fortune, health, and prosperity while repelling misfortune, illness, and poverty. Feng shui principles guide choices in areas such as home and workplace layout, furniture placement, color schemes, landscaping, grave site selection, and more. Adherents believe following feng shui guidelines allows people to live in greater harmony with their environment and channel positive energies.
From a Christian point of view, while some feng shui recommendations make practical sense, like decluttering living spaces or creating tranquil home environments, other aspects may conflict with Christian beliefs. Here are some key considerations for Christians exploring or practicing feng shui:
The Concept of Chi
The concept of chi as a mystical life force energy permeating all things stems from ancient Chinese religion and philosophy. This differs significantly from the Christian belief in an omnipotent, personal God who created all life. Christians hold that the universe and its forces derive from God, not an impersonal energy source. The idea of manipulating physical surroundings to channel chi for personal benefit conflicts with relying on and submitting to God’s will. Christians aim to cultivate virtue and bring glory to God, not harness impersonal spiritual forces for personal gain (Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Yin and Yang Theory
In feng shui, the concept of yin and yang represents the idea that the universe operates through a duality of complementary, interdependent forces. Yin is associated with dark, cold, slow, passive qualities, while yang represents light, warm, fast, solid, and active qualities. The goal in feng shui is to strike a harmonious balance of yin and yang in living and working spaces. This dualistic view of nature does not fit with the Christian belief in one sovereign God who operates both actively and passively according to His purposes and character. There is no room in Christian theology for belief in competing yet interdependent impersonal forces (Isaiah 45:5-7).
Spirit Worship
Some feng shui principles derive from Chinese folk religions that include worship of ancestors and environmental spirits. Consultations with mediums claiming to communicate with spirits are also common in feng shui practice. Christianity rejects spirit worship and medium consultation as dangerous demonic practices that God forbids (Leviticus 19:31, 20:27). Christians believe deceased ancestors await resurrection and final judgment by God, and do not linger as spirits influencing the living (Hebrews 9:27). Consulting any spiritual entities besides God goes against Christian values.
Divination and Fortune-Telling
A key aspect of feng shui involves divination tools and methods aimed at predicting fortunes and influencing future events. Examples include astrology, the I-Ching, palm reading, and intuitive or channeling practices. The Bible condemns divination, fortune-telling, and other occult practices as “detestable” sins reflecting a lack of trust and faith in God (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Christians are called to seek wisdom from God through prayer and study of the Scriptures, not esoteric spiritual practices (James 1:5-7).
Amoral Approach
Feng shui mainly deals with harnessing energy for personal or material gain, giving little consideration to morality. But Christians are called to pursue moral excellence and selfless service to God and others (Philippians 4:8, Matthew 22:36-40). While certain environmental factors may influence outlook and habits, living righteously involves transcending circumstances to walk by faith and the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 5:16). An amoral approach of manipulating energy flows contradicts Christian values.
Fatalistic Mindset
Strict adherence to feng shui principles can breed a fatalistic mindset where people become passive and controlled by external environmental arrangements, instead of exercising free will and personal responsibility before God. Christians are exhorted to be vigilant and self-controlled, wisely discerning God’s will for their lives through prayer and counsel (1 Peter 5:8, Proverbs 11:14). While surroundings can influence behavior, Christians have God’s promise of power to overcome (Philippians 4:13).
Consumeristic Focus
For many in Western cultures, feng shui has become commercialized into a trendy practice revolving around products and home décor. But Christians avoid materialism and consumerism, instead finding meaning and purpose in serving God, not accumulating goods and chasing superficial notions of “positivity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, Matthew 6:19-21). Christians recognize blessings derive from the Giver, not the gifts themselves. Making purchases and decor changes to attract positive energy opposes the Christian emphasis on moderation, simplicity, and generosity (Philippians 4:5, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
Practical Applications
Despite some concerning spiritual underpinnings, Christians need not completely reject feng shui. Numerous recommended practices align with Christian values and can be implemented without compromising beliefs. For example:
- Decluttering and maintaining tidy, clean spaces
- Letting in fresh air and sunlight
- Using calming colors like blue, green, and white
- Incorporating plants and soothing water features
- Arranging furniture in logical, useful configurations
- Selecting quality materials and craftsmanship
Such practices reflect virtues like stewardship, simplicity, diligence, and craftsmanship endorsed in the Bible (Colossians 3:23, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Proverbs 24:30-31). They create more orderly, welcoming spaces that can positively influence mood and outlook. Christians can thoughtfully incorporate beneficial aspects of feng shui while filtering out any principles rooted in non-Christian worldviews.
A Biblical Framework
Rather than feng shui techniques, Christians look to biblical wisdom for guidance in arranging living and working spaces. Some key principles include:
- Stewardship – Managing all resources God provides for human flourishing and His glory (1 Peter 4:10). Includes care and skillful planning for living spaces.
- Beauty – Creating aesthetically appealing spaces as a reflection of God’s divine creative nature (Psalm 27:4, Ecclesiastes 3:11). Can boost mood and outlook.
- Simplicity – Avoiding needless clutter and excess. Allowing spaces to shape habits of living (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:6-8).
- Hospitality – Designing gracious, welcoming spaces reflecting the generosity of Christ (1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13:2).
- Peace – Promoting tranquility and rest as gifts from God, not some impersonal energy source (Psalm 23:2, Ecclesiastes 4:6).
- Wisdom – Making prudent choices guided by biblical truth, not rituals, divination, or substances (Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5).
- Moderation – Avoiding unhealthy obsessions with perfection or materialistic status seeking (Philippians 4:5, 1 Timothy 6:6-8).
A Christian approach to living environments allows for flexibility and wisdom in application. Not all remedies must be drastic or expensive. Even small steps like clearing clutter or displaying Scripture art can make a difference. The ultimate aim is not harnessing impersonal forces, but crafting spaces that facilitate rest, hospitality, spiritual growth, and wise living.
Cautions and Considerations
For Christians interested in certain feng shui cures, discernment is needed to filter out any practices rooted in non-Christian assumptions. Areas to avoid include:
- Consulting mediums, diviners, or astrologers
- Hanging charms, amulets, or talismans
- Erecting spirit tablets or altars
- Performing rituals or spells to manipulate energy
- Selecting grave sites or architecture layouts based on cosmology
- Making major decisions purely based on energy forces rather than God’s leading
Attempting to control unseen forces through objects and rituals reflects faith in human efforts and elemental spirits, not God (Colossians 2:8). Christians recognize idols have no actual power (Isaiah 44:9-20). Any comfort from charms is a placebo effect at best and spiritual deception at worst.
That said, thoughtful feng shui enhancements can complement a godly, biblical approach to living space design. As with all lifestyle choices, Christians filter applications through the lens of Scripture, grounding identity and purpose in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7). The focus is not manipulating energy fields, but serving the true and living God.
An Alternative Motivation
For Christians who appreciate certain feng shui principles, a biblical motivation and application method exists. Instead of harnessing impersonal forces for personal success, the goal becomes crafting spaces that facilitate rest, hospitality, spiritual growth, and wise living as acts of stewardship and worship to God. Decisions are guided by practical wisdom and common sense, avoiding rituals, superstitions, or obsession with perfectionism (Proverbs 3:5-8).
This biblical approach also emphasizes care for people over spaces. Loving others through hospitality and serving takes precedence over quests for perfect home layouts and décor (Mark 12:30-31, Hebrews 13:2). Focus remains on inner spiritual formation over outward circumstances (Romans 12:2). The physical home ultimately serves as just a temporary dwelling until the eternal home Christ prepares in heaven (John 14:2-3). A biblical framework liberates Christians to make discerning use of helpful insights from feng shui while rejecting any practices contrary to Christian convictions.
Key Takeaways
In summary, key ideas for Christians to remember regarding feng shui include:
- Some aspects of feng shui emerge from Eastern, non Christian worldviews.
- The concept of harnessing impersonal spiritual forces for personal benefit conflicts with reliance on God.
- Christians hold convictions against spirit worship, divination, and occult practices undergirding certain feng shui methods.
- Helpful environmental design principles agreeing with biblical values can be implemented without compromising beliefs.
- Christians develop living spaces based on biblical wisdom and service, not rituals, charms, or superstitions.
- Loving hospitality and care for people takes precedence over chasing perfect home layouts.
- Believers find identity and purpose in Christ, not circumstances or aesthetics.
In all things, Christians seek God’s kingdom first, anchoring worldly pursuits like home design in Christ (Matthew 6:33). With discernment, believers can gain helpful insights from feng shui while rejecting any principles or practices that divert focus from the Lord.