The Role of Mysticism in Drawing Close to God

In today’s spiritual landscape, there’s growing curiosity about mysticism especially among believers longing for deeper encounters with God. Some turn to ancient Christian mystics, others look to practices inspired by Eastern religions or even hallucinogenic substances in hopes of unlocking a supernatural experience. But do these mystical experiences truly draw us closer to the God of the Bible?

This question came recently from Dianne, a thoughtful believer in South Africa. She asked whether mysticism is a legitimate path to spiritual growth or a distraction from the primary means God has ordained Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. Her concern reflects a common tension in the Church today: the desire for more of God’s manifest presence without losing our grounding in biblical truth.

To answer this, we need to understand what mysticism really means. Modern definitions describe mysticism as seeking union with God or an “altered state of consciousness” that offers spiritual insight. Merriam-Webster adds that mysticism involves pursuing direct knowledge of God through intuition or subjective experience rather than rational thought or external revelation.

At first glance, this might seem similar to the vibrant, Spirit-filled Christian life many of us pursue. After all, we long to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). But there is a significant difference between heartfelt intimacy with God and attempting to attain spiritual power or insight through extraordinary experiences.

Let’s look at how the Apostle Paul dealt with this issue.

Paul’s Warning Through His Own Experience

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes a profound encounter he had with the Lord. He writes, “I know a man in Christ who...was caught up into paradise...and heard things that cannot be told” (verses 2–4). Though he speaks in the third person, Paul makes it clear that he’s referring to himself. This was no ordinary prayer time it was a heavenly vision, an unspeakable moment of divine revelation.

Yet Paul goes to great lengths to downplay it.

He says, “Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord,” immediately adding that he would rather boast in his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:1, 5). He even describes receiving a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble and prevent spiritual pride from such a revelation. God’s response? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9).

In other words, God intentionally redirected Paul’s attention away from the mystical and toward the daily experience of grace in weakness. The emphasis is clear: the true power of the Christian life isn’t found in visions, but in Christ's sufficiency amid our ordinary trials.

The Super-Apostles and the Lure of Spiritual Elitism

Paul’s Corinthian adversaries, whom he sarcastically calls “super-apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5), boasted in their mystical experiences. They considered Paul’s physical frailty and suffering as disqualifying. But Paul flips that narrative. He teaches that being weak and needy isn’t a sign of spiritual immaturity it’s the very stage on which God’s grace performs most powerfully.

This is a radical departure from how mysticism is often portrayed today. Whether through recreational drug use, sensory deprivation, or transcendental meditation, many pursue an experience that elevates the self or circumvents the biblical path of spiritual growth. But according to Scripture, maturity comes not from escaping weakness but by embracing Christ through it.

The Ordinary Means of Grace Are Extraordinary

While it may sound mundane, Scripture repeatedly affirms that God meets us through ordinary means: the Word, prayer, fellowship, and sacraments. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is living and active,” sharper than any sword. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Add to that Acts 2:42, where the early church devoted themselves “to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” These practices aren’t placeholders until something more exciting comes along they are the God-ordained paths through which His Spirit works to sanctify, strengthen, and shape us into Christlikeness.

It's easy to forget that even Jesus, who could have dazzled His followers with heavenly visions daily, often withdrew to quiet places to pray and soaked His heart in the Scriptures. If the Son of God didn’t need mysticism to commune with the Father, why would we?

Are Mystical Experiences Inherently Bad?

Not necessarily. Paul didn’t reject his vision as evil. He received it as a gift. But he also didn’t dwell on it, teach others to pursue it, or build a ministry around it. His reticence is a lesson in itself. Extraordinary experiences, if they come, are to be received humbly not chased after or held up as proof of spiritual depth.

In fact, a recent Barna Group survey showed that 60% of practicing Christians believe their spiritual lives are “too dry,” and they often long for more. That longing is real, and it’s good. But the solution isn’t to chase after an ecstatic state. It’s to go deeper into the presence of God already made available through Christ right now, in your weakness, in your waiting, and in your walk with Him.

The Real Power is in Christ

As Paul teaches, true power comes from relying on Christ in weakness. The mystical path may promise power, insight, or intimacy, but often it bypasses the humility, submission, and Christ-centeredness that the Spirit uses to produce real fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 doesn’t mention visions or ecstasies it speaks of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. That’s the evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

So should Christians pursue mysticism to grow closer to God? Scripture says no. We should pursue Christ Himself through His Word, by His Spirit, within His Body, and often through trials that reveal His sufficiency. As Paul concluded, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

That is the mystery we are invited to experience: not escaping reality, but encountering Christ fully in the heart of it.

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