In the scripture, crystals and semi-precious stones are often used as metaphors for high value items, such as wisdom, or to depict substantial beauty such as the New Jerusalem in Revelation. However, it’s vital to remember that God advises his followers to steer clear of embracing any sort of mysticism or unfounded supernatural beliefs (like healing through crystals) – he disapproves of it profoundly!
Crystals are made up of strictly ordered atoms that form a lattice. They range in value—salt is a crystal, but so is a diamond! Most references to crystals in the Bible point to beautiful semi-precious stones (or jewels) which form part of creation as they were made by God.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the beliefs people have regarding crystals, what God’s Word says about them, and how a Christian should respond.
What is Crystal Healing?
Crystal healing is a “new age” or mystical practice that’s been around since ancient times. People use crystals on or around their bodies or homes to “balance energies” and offer protection and healing – somewhat similar to chakras. Different crystals in different shapes and sizes with various markings are said to help with different ailments.
There is no scientific evidence to support claims about the effectiveness of crystal healing and so, it is considered a pseudoscience (false science). Belief in crystals to bring about any kind of change or offer protection forms part of mysticism.
Crystals in the Bible
Crystals, especially jewels, are mentioned a few times in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New.
Crystals are Valuable
Crystals are mentioned several times in the Bible as a literary device to describe something of great worth and value. This made it easy for the audience to understand the correct attitude they should have towards something. In the following verses, both wisdom and a godly wife are to be cherished more than crystals or precious jewels.
Job 28:18-19 (ESV) No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
Proverbs 31:10 (ESV) An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
God Himself affirmed the beauty and value of precious stones when He included them in His design for the religious garments (breastpiece) of the High Priest in Israel (Exodus 39:10-13).
Prophetic references to the New Jerusalem also include crystals in a description so exquisite we can hardly fathom its beauty. There will be a crystal sea before His throne (Revelation 4:6) and a river of life, bright as crystal too (Revelation 22:1).
Revelation 21:18-19 (ESV) The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald…
Crystals Can Be Stumbling Blocks
God warned His nation Israel as they entered the promised land to have nothing to do with pagan worship (Deuteronomy 18:9)—they were to worship The LORD only (Exodus 20:3).
About 800 years later the nation of Israel was exiled and taken captive by the Babylonians as a consequence of their idolatry and disobedience. Ezekiel the prophet declared God’s judgment on the Jewish people and at one point highlighted the Israelite women (false prophetesses) who wore “magic” charms on their wrists; charms they believed held power—much like crystal healing practices today.
Ezekiel 13:20 (NKJV) ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against your magic charms by which you hunt souls there like birds. I will tear them from your arms, and let the souls go, the souls you hunt like birds.
You can be sure the Jewish people learned these practices from the pagan nations around them, fortune telling as well.
God makes it clear that this kind of practice is evil in his sight. In fact, anything that distracts us, or others from the faithful worship of the One True God becomes an idol in our lives and is detestable in His eyes.
The use of drugs – especially if your motivation is healing or distraction from reality – can be a similar stumbling block for us.
Should Christians Practice Crystal Healing?
As crystal healing is actually part of the occult (mystical and supernatural practices like tarot cards and chakras), it is evil in God’s eyes. It subtly draws Christians away from trusting in God alone. Christians should steer well clear of placing their hope or faith in crystals to provide healing or protection—that’s the enemy’s territory, and he comes to destroy (John 10:10)!
Crystals, in and of themselves, can be appreciated for the valuable stones that they are—nothing more, nothing less. When we marvel at their beauty may we lift our eyes up to the One who made all things well (Mark 7:37), the One who dwells in Heaven—where one day, those who follow Christ, will walk on roads of gold bordering a crystal sea, and see foundations studded with precious stones.
We can approach them similar to the way we might make a wish at 11:11 – probably not wise to really lean into it, but doing it realizing it’s just a cultural artifact and nothing more is probably not harmful.
In the meantime, we will place our trust in God as the ultimate healer, not crystals. If He doesn’t bring physical healing on Earth, He promises to in Heaven (Revelation 21:4).
If you’re desperate for healing, but unsure about crystals, check out John Hagee’s healing scriptures and prayers.
And we rejoice that He has taken care of a much bigger problem than our physical health—He has washed away our sins by His death and brought us from spiritual death to life (John 5:24)! All we have to do is place our trust in Jesus and accept His free gift of salvation (John 3:16). What incredible hope we have!
