“Next Friday. That’s the only day available for your C-section,” the gynaecologist said.
Her patient, a young woman expecting her first baby, protested, “But that’s the thirteenth. I don’t want my child to be born on Friday the thirteenth.”
“Aren’t you folks Pentecostals?” the Catholic doctor retorted, throwing up her arms in exasperation. She relented, and my relative was born on the twelfth of that month.
What we believe shapes who we are. For followers of Christ, right belief is not just about holding correct doctrines but also about living in daily obedience to the truth revealed in Scripture. In a world of shifting ideologies and hybrid spiritualities, the need for discernment has never been greater—especially for diaspora communities like ours, where culture and religion often blend in subtle but powerful ways.
As Pentecostal Christians, we have inherited a rich tradition shaped by revival movements and a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet our cultural backdrop also includes centuries of animistic and pagan influence, and at times, without realising it, these influences creep into our spiritual lives. When that happens, our faith becomes diluted—and our witness compromised.
Don’t some Christians avoid certain days for travel, weddings, or housewarmings because they believe those days are “unlucky”? Others might consult a so-called “Christian astrologer” or rely on numerology to name a child or choose a wedding date. Belief in “bad omens” or the timing of events based on astrology is widespread. The next time an Indian Christian leaves home on a mission, try calling him from behind to remind him of something. Observe his reaction. Most Indians believe their mission will be jeopardized if they are forced to turn back or even look back.
Even devout Christians from Kerala unknowingly blame planetary misalignment for their misfortunes by exclaiming, griha pizha!—literally, “planetary misalignment.” Fatalism, too, is all too common. Christians use the term karma without knowing that the Hindu concept has nothing to do with the biblical adage about sowing and reaping. Young people talk of positive and negative vibes. Do Christian youth really know what they’re talking about? Pagan notions about cosmic vibrations or impersonal energies are far removed from the Bible’s worldview.
Christians have come to tolerate strange building designs influenced by the pseudoscience called vastu. Others actively seek to conform new plans to vastu principles, fearing they might otherwise struggle to sell their properties. These practices may seem harmless or merely “cultural,” but they betray a lack of trust in the sovereignty of God. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Right belief leads us to trust God fully—not just in theology, but in everyday decisions.
Another common practice among Indian Christians is the use of charms, amulets, or rituals “just in case” something goes wrong. A parent might tie a black thread around a baby’s wrist to ward off the evil eye, or hang a rosary or cross on a vehicle to prevent accidents. Some Pentecostals invoke the “blood of Jesus” as if it were a magical charm, sprinkling it liberally “by faith” over their vehicles, homes, and children. Unaware that “the blood of Jesus” refers to Christ’s finished work on the cross, they treat it as a talisman. These actions are rooted in fear, not faith. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” True Christian belief replaces fear with faith—faith in a God who protects and provides, not in superstitions or symbolic objects.
We profess belief in the biblical teaching that all humanity descends from the first couple, Adam and Eve. Yet we betray a hidden belief in the caste system when we say, “He’s a Brahmin convert,” as though Brahmins are superior to others. We discriminate against those we perceive to be of “lower” castes, contradicting the gospel’s call to unity and equality. Is there any reason why a Christian should subscribe to the Hindu creation myth that says different castes were created from different part of Brahma’s body?
Even in our prayer lives, syncretism can surface. Instead of trusting in God’s will, some believers demand specific outcomes, treating prayer like a transaction: if we fast, pray, and give, then God is obligated to act. But Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done.” True faith seeks alignment with God, not control over Him.
So, what can we do?
First, we must know the truth. Right belief begins with regular, prayerful study of the Bible. If we do not know what the Word says, we will not recognise error when we see it.
Second, we must teach the next generation. Our children grow up surrounded by both Christian and cultural beliefs. Without intentional discipleship, they will absorb whatever is convenient or popular. Parents, pastors, and youth leaders must be proactive in confronting syncretic ideas.
Third, we must be humble. It is easy to judge others for mixing beliefs, but we must also examine our own hearts. Do we trust God fully? Are we led by the Holy Spirit or by cultural traditions?
Finally, we must be bold. The world needs Christians who are clear in their convictions and courageous in their witness. A church that believes rightly will live rightly—and that kind of church can change the world.
Right belief matters—not just for orthodoxy’s sake, but for the health of our souls, our families, and our testimony. Let us be people of the Word and Spirit—anchored in truth, unmixed in our faith, and unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
