There’s a strange trend spreading these days—people are turning to things like crystals, burning sage, and lighting incense to find peace or healing. For many, this isn’t just a casual experiment; it’s become a serious pursuit in their search for something deeper. In a world filled with uncertainty, they grasp at anything promising control over the spiritual realm or inner calm.

But here’s the hard truth: none of these things can save you. No crystal, no amount of smoke from sage, and no incense can get you closer to God or offer the redemption your heart longs for. There’s only one way to experience true spiritual freedom, and that way is through Jesus Christ.

It’s not hard to understand why people seek these alternative spiritual practices. We live in a time when people feel disconnected, lost, and anxious. When the world seems chaotic, it’s natural to look for something—anything—that promises clarity or balance. Whether it’s lighting incense to “cleanse the energy” or keeping a quartz crystal on the nightstand for “healing,” these practices provide a sense of control.

But let’s get real for a second. No matter how good it feels to wave some sage smoke around your room or keep that amethyst in your pocket, these things are powerless. They might make you feel better for a moment, but when life hits you with real problems, the smoke fades, and the stones remain just rocks. The deeper issues still remain. Why? Because the power isn’t in the objects—it’s in what we think they symbolize. The problem is, they don’t actually hold any power at all.

What we’re seeing today is a shift from spiritual seeking to outright superstition. Superstition is the belief that doing or using something external will bring about a spiritual or physical result. It’s a bit like carrying a lucky charm or knocking on wood for good luck. People do it because they’re hoping for a result, but deep down, they know it’s just for show.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. When people turn to these objects, they’re relying on created things, not the Creator. The truth is, putting faith in crystals or sage is like building your house on sand—it’s shaky ground. When storms come, it’ll collapse. It doesn’t hold up to life’s real challenges because it’s just a hollow belief, a distraction from the One who offers true peace.

There’s only one source of true power, and it doesn’t come from crystals or rituals. It comes from Jesus Christ. Only through Him can we find the forgiveness, healing, and peace that our souls are desperately seeking.

Think about it. Jesus didn’t come to Earth, die on a cross, and rise again so we could spend our time looking for answers in crystals and smoke. He came to offer a relationship with God, the Creator of the universe. That’s where real power lies—in a personal connection with the One who made everything, including you.

Jesus said it Himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Notice that He didn’t say, “I am one of the ways” or “I am a possible way.” He made it clear—He’s the only way. No shortcuts, no substitutes, no need for spiritual trinkets.

Let’s talk about why people get pulled into these practices in the first place. It often comes down to one word: control. People like feeling in charge of their own spiritual lives. They want something tangible—something they can see and touch—to feel like they’re making progress. Incense, sage, and crystals give them that illusion of control.

But here’s the problem with trying to control everything yourself: it doesn’t work. Life’s too unpredictable. Sooner or later, something will come along that’s bigger than your sage stick or your rose quartz. That’s where faith comes in—not in objects, but in Jesus. Faith isn’t about controlling the world around you; it’s about trusting the One who’s already in control.

Take a moment to think about this: When Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, or calmed the storm, did He ever need anything like crystals, sage, or incense? Nope. Not once. He didn’t rely on external objects because He didn’t need them. His power came from His relationship with the Father and His authority as the Son of God.

Now, if Jesus didn’t need these things, why do we think we do? He’s given us the Holy Spirit as our helper, guide, and comforter. That’s all we need. We don’t need to create our own peace by burning sage or set up our own version of healing with crystals. Jesus has already done the heavy lifting for us.

One more thing needs to be said about all these practices—they can sometimes lead people into dangerous spiritual territory. The Bible makes it clear that we’re in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12), and when we start messing with things outside of God’s design, we open ourselves up to the wrong kind of influence.

Spiritual practices that don’t involve God often lead people away from Him. They might seem harmless at first, but they can become a gateway to deception. The enemy loves to offer counterfeit solutions—things that look like they bring peace but ultimately lead you away from the truth. Crystals, sage, and other such practices are part of that deception.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “But I do feel peaceful when I use these things,” I get it. They might give you a temporary sense of calm, but it’s important to recognize that temporary peace isn’t the same as the eternal peace Jesus offers.

Jesus Himself said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). That’s the peace you want—the kind that doesn’t fade away after the incense stops burning. It’s the peace that can only come from knowing your sins are forgiven and that you’re right with God.

So, what can you do if you’ve been caught up in these spiritual practices? The first step is to turn to Jesus. Lay down the crystals and the sage and come to Him in prayer. Ask for His forgiveness and help. He’s always ready to welcome you with open arms.

Remember, Jesus offers something far better than any spiritual tool or object ever could. He offers real redemption, real healing, and real peace.

The world is full of distractions, and it’s easy to get caught up in things that feel spiritual but are ultimately empty. But don’t settle for anything less than the truth. Don’t settle for less than Jesus. Only He can give you what you’re looking for—true life, true peace, and true redemption.

Because when it comes to your soul, you don’t want second best. You want the real thing, and that real thing is Jesus Christ.