Should Christians Use Positive Affirmations?

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Should Christians Use Positive Affirmations?

Positive affirmations have become an extremely popular practice in modern-day Christianity. Along with it have come many questions and a lot of controversies. Many relate to the law attraction a principle that runs deep in new age circles. On the other side of the controversy, you’ll find Christians pointing to scripture in defense of this practice.

In this post we’re going to look at the practice of positive affirmation from a biblical perspective and answer the questions so many are asking:

• Are positive affirmations a sin?
• Are affirmations biblical?
• Do affirmations actually change our beliefs?
• How does meditation fit into this conversation?

You’ll find a list of biblical affirmations you can decree of your life, Bible verses to pray in agreement, and answers to some controversial questions regarding the law of attraction and manifestation.

As always, we’re going to turn to the best source of wisdom we have to answer these questions; the Bible.

Are Positive Affirmations Godly?

Put simply, positive affirmations are statements used to challenge negative, hurtful, or unhelpful thoughts. That’s how modern-day cultures use them anyway. Suppose you made a choice that resulted in some unintended negative consequences. Your first thought might be, “I’m so stupid.” Instead of staying in that negative mindset, some would use positive affirmations to challenge that thought and present one that is more uplifting and speaks to the positive side of the equation. There’s a simple example of positive affirmations. 

This is not the same as a spiritual affirmation. So what are spiritual affirmations? Spiritual affirmation is a term coined by the New Age movement referring to phrases that supposedly bring you closer to God or your own spiritual god-head. We’ll talk about why spiritual affirmations don’t belong in Christian life shortly. 

Though spiritual affirmations are a no-go, positive affirmations in and of themselves don’t appear dangerous, unhealthy, or sinful, but… they can be. Here are things we need to consider when it comes to the practice of positive affirmations:

1. Are the affirmations you’re speaking true?
2. Do they acknowledge your limits?
3. Who am I attempting to glorify?

Christian Affirmations are rooted In Biblical TRUTH

To have this conversation about positive affirmations properly, we have to start by addressing this single question: What does affirmation mean in the Bible? Affirmation in the Bible means to establish, confirm, or make firm. 

Here’s the thing about positive affirmations; they don’t always align with the truth. While words are an amazing tool for edifying and affirming others, we need to make sure what we speak is truthful. The Bible is the standard of truth for Christians. Cultural truths and biblical truths are two extremely different things. While positive affirmations speak to what culture affirms, Christian affirmations (also referred to as Bible affirmations) speak to the truths God affirms. Anything less than that is flattery. Flattery stunts the growth we hope to produce in ourselves. They aren’t productive because they aren’t truthful.

How we think and speak to ourselves matters, but we want to think, speak, and act according to the truth.  When we can get to that place, we are moving in the right direction and creating space for the character God wants to produce in us.

Positive Christian Affirmations Acknowledge Our Human Limits

Humanity has limits. We are not gods, nor will we ever become them. A healthy relationship with God starts with understanding our need for God and His grace in our lives.

He is the one who gives us direction.

His strength compensates for our weaknesses.

He is the source of all wisdom.

Trusting our words (affirmations) to lead us into perfection and keep us into right-standing will always fail. Leaning on our own strength will only cause us to fall short.

We need Jesus. If the affirmations we’re using turn our dependence away from the Lord, we are venturing into the murky waters of idolatry. Are affirmations a sin? They can be if we use them to elevate ourselves above the Lord – which is the exact reason New Age theology and the practices associated with it are so dangerous. And why it so important to distinguish the difference between affirmations according to the world and affirmations as described by scripture. 

Christian Affirmations Give God the Glory

Positive affirmations put emphasis on what we can do in our lives. They focus on our own strength and power. It’s all about what we can conjure up.

Bible affirmations double as both our surrender to the Lord and an invitation for Holy Spirit to produce goodness in us. They highlight God’s kindness, love, strength, truth, and grace at work in our lives. It’s about what HE can bring to fruition in us. We hear His desire for our lives, our work, our character, etc. and we speak and act in agreement with it, allowing HIM to produce the best in us. 

Biblical affirmations put the emphasis on how God instructs us to think and behave They acknowledge that we are personally responsible for our actions and humble us enough to know that in addition to personal discipline, we need God’s strength and wisdom to become who He has called us to be. And because it is Him who does the work in us, it is HIM who gets the glory. 

What Are Some Examples of Positive Affirmations? How Can We Turn Them Into Biblical Truth?

Below are some examples of positive affirmations vs. biblical truths. You’ll notice how the affirmations are rooted in our own strength and our own desires while the biblical truths are rooted in God’s desires for us and the identity He has given us. When we choose to view our lives as worship (Romans 12:1, Luke 4:8, and 1 Peter 2:5) this distinction becomes more evident. If you’re going to use affirmations you must prioritize what scripture prioritizes. Affirmations after scripture.

Positive Affirmation: I am loving.

Biblical Truth: God, you instruct us to love others just as you love us. I’m choosing to love. Show me what that looks like. Help me see the opportunities I have to love the people in front of me.

Positive Affirmation: I am complete on my own.

Biblical Truth: God, you teach us that we were created for a relationship with You and others. Remind me that I am at my best when I am walking with you. Teach me to treasure relationships with you and the people around me.

Positive Affirmation: I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

Biblical Truth: Lord, I know you will equip me to accomplish every task you set before. You ask us to steward well what you give us. That includes my ambitions and resources. Give me the wisdom to honor you with what I have and what I accomplish.

What are the most powerful affirmations? The most powerful affirmations are ones rooted in Biblical truth!

A Biblical List of Positive Christian Affirmation (Bible Verses Included!)

Most people use affirmation in the context of developing character, confidence, or creating success. In this context, are affirmations successful? When rooted in scripture, affirmations are a great starting point, but they are not the end of your efforts. Biblical affirmations help point you in the right direction for your next steps. You are responsible for actually taking those next steps. Your words alone can break you, but words alone won’t make you. Remember James 2:17,

Thus also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Affirmations are a confession of faith (what you believe), actions are your faith put to work. We have to put in the work. With every affirmation, there should be a follow-up; an action step. You may have to have a conversation with God about what that action step is. Actually, I encourage you to. God should always have a say in our decision-making. And we should always be willing to yield to His instruction.

What does that look like in terms of Biblical affirmations? You’ll find plenty of examples in this list of daily positive Chrsitian affirmations. 

Biblical Affirmations for Success

Success in the Christian life is very different than success in the day-to-day world. Below Bible verses and Christian affirmations for success. These verses will help you see success from heaven’s perspective and keep your eyes on the real

• I choose to honor the Lord in all that I do (see 2 Corinthians 5:9-11). Action Step: Ask the Lord how you can honor Him with the tasks ahead of you.
• I prioritize serving others over being served (see 1 Peter 4:10). Action Step: Look for ways to intentionally serve and help others in need. Do what you are able to.
• I prepare to share the gospel and bring hope to people wherever I go (see Matthew 28:19-20). Action Step: Ask God to lead you to people who need Him and need to experience His love.
• Through Christ, I have all the wisdom I need to accomplish what God has asked of me (see James 1:5, Luke 11:13). Action Step: Study the Bible, pray, and ask for wisdom.

Biblical Affirmations for Anxiety

I’ve shared bits and pieces about my experience with anxiety. More than my experience, I LOVE sharing what God taught me about standing against anxiety. A lot of it does have to do with the thoughts we entertain. I used the Bible verses below to create my own list of Christian Affirmations for anxiety during my own battle with anxiety. Feel free to do the same!

• God’s love gives me authority over fear and anxiety (see 2 Timothy 1:7). Action Step: When I begin to have anxious thoughts I choose to walk in authority and cast them down (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
• I choose to set my mind on things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (see Philippians 4:8). Action step: Worship. Count my blessing. Meditate on Scripture.
• I choose to walk away from anxiety. I leave it at Jesus’ feet. (see 1 Peter 5:7) Action Step: Pray your heart out and surrender it all to God.
• Even when it seems impossible to be at peace; I accept God’s peace. (see Philippians 4:7) Action Step: When reason causes me to worry, I will “set it down” and pursue the Lord. I will “REST” in the shelter of the Most High (Psalm 91:1-3).
• I will trust in the Lord. He is my source. His is my provision. If He holds the world, I can trust Him to hold me (see Matthew 6:26-34, Psalm 20:7, Psalm 34). Action Step: Read these scriptures, read Exodus, read Revelation – set your mind on the God who always wins and always provides.

I Am Biblical Affirmations | Biblical Affirmations for Self-esteem

This is where conversations about our identity in Christ come into play. Knowing who we are in HIM helps shape our thoughts about ourselves. Because we trust God, we can be confident in who He says we are.

Below is a list of I Am Biblical Affirmations from the Bible that help us comprehend and hang onto our identity in Christ.

• I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesian 1:3)
• I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• I am loved with great love (Ephesians 2:4)
• I am accepted (Ephesians 1:6)
• I am chosen (Ephesians 1:4)
• I am sealed with promise (Ephesians 1:13)
• I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
• I am here for a purpose (Psalm 57:2)
• I am equipped (Ephesians 6:10-18)
• I am redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)
• I am adopted as a child of God (Ephesians 1:5)
• I am grafted into God’s family (Ephesians 3:6)
• I am Christ’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
• I am of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19)
• I am a light in the darkness (Ephesians 5:8-11)

Those are just a few “I am” statements to get you started. And remember, when it comes to character, we will ALWAYS have room to grow. When it comes to our identity, as long as we are walking with the Lord our identity is sealed. It does not change unless we choose to walk away from it.

If you’re struggling with self-esteem meditate on these truths. Get your eyes and mind focused on who God says you are.

Christian Affirmations for Trusting God

• I choose to trust God even when I don’t understand (see Proverbs 3:5) 
• I trust that God will provide my needs (Matthew 16:33 and Matthew 6:25)
• I am hopeful because I have Jesus and by His Spirit hope abounds in me (see Romans 15:113)
• I trust God is directing me (see Proverbs 3:6)
• I believe God will work this circumstance out for my good and His purpose (see Romans 8:28)
• God has given me peace (see Isaiah 26:3)

Biblical Affirmations for Healing

God can heal your body, but even more importantly, He can heal your would. Below are Bible verses to affirm your faith that speak to both circumstances.

• God works through faithful prayers (see James 5:13-15)
• God gives sight to the blind (see Psalm 146:8)
• By Your stripes, I am whole and forgiven (see Isaiah 53:5)
• God strengthens me and upholds me (see Isaiah 41:10)
• God hears my prayers, He sees my tears, and He is able to heal (see 2 Kings 20:5) 
• God has the ability to heal me (see Jeremiah 17:14)
• My God is all-powerful. My God can heal. (see Luke 6:19)
• The Lord restores our health and heals our wounds (see Jeremiah 30:17) 

Christian Affirmations for Positive Thinking

• Fear has no authority over my thoughts, emotions, or actions (see 2 Timothy 1:7 and James 5:16) 
• Through Christ, I choose contentment in all circumstances (see Philippians 4:13)
• I will not be moved by condemning words or thoughts (see Romans 8:1) 
• I am forever forgiven and will not dwell on past mistakes (see Colossians 3:13)
• My mind is a space for what is true, honest, just, pure, noble, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy (see Philippians 4:8).
• I will cast my cares and anxieties on God and accept His peace (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Matthew 11:28-30)

Christian Affirmations for Depression

• The joy of the Lord is my strength (see Nehemiah 8:10)
• I believe I will see the goodness of God in my life today (see Psalm 27:13)
• Every day with God is a day to rejoice (see Psalm 118:24)
• Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (see 2 Corinthians 3:17)
• When I am down God lifts me up (see Psalm 40:2 and Psalm 146:8)
• God is able to do more than I could imagine in my situation (see Ephesians 3:20)
• God is my hope (see Psalm 71:5)
• No depression, hardship, emotion, or anything in all creation can separate me from God’s love (see Romans 8:39)

How Does Meditation Tie Into Christian Affirmations and Christian Living?

I promised we’d answer this question and I feel like now is a perfect time. Is meditation a sin?

Just as we had to distinguish between biblical affirmations and the world’s practice of positive affirmations, we also have to separate biblical meditation from that of middle eastern religions and new age practices. The two are very different.

Most people who use meditation as a religious practice (outside of Christianity) do so with the goal of emptying themselves, emptying their minds, releasing ties to earthly things, and/or entering into a “higher form of being”. That is not the type of meditation God encourages.

As a Christian, the goal of meditating is to empty your mind of all the garbage the world puts into and to fill it with the truth of God’s words.

To meditate means to consider. As a Christian meditating is the practice of intentionally thinking through scripture and considering how God’s instructions impact and shape our lives. Less of us in our lives, more of Him in our lives.

You can see how these two types of meditations differ. One is a form of obedience to God, the other scripture would describe it as an act of rebellion against God. Whether or not meditation is a sin depends on how you use it. Like everything else we do, how we use our mind should honor God. If it doesn’t it’s a sin. This leads us to the next topic, the law of attraction.

Is the Law of Attraction Biblical?

I’ve seen people use scripture to both refute and approve the law of attraction. Often times the scriptures used to approve it are used greatly out of context. For example, in Matthew 7:7 Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be open to you.” Many use this to think if we ask and believe anything we want can happen. They don’t consider the context of the verse which you can gain from reading Matthew 7:7-12 and Luke 11:1-13 (both passages describe the same event).

Jesus is talking about seeking Him, His Kingdom, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

He continues to talk about our character in that we will be known by our fruits (our actions and what they produce). We will be able to discern false prophets in the same. Disciples create more disciples. False teachers create only more deceived people.

What we sow, we reap (Galatians 6:8 – definitely go read this one!).

The problem with the law of attraction is that it takes these principles and uses them in an attempt to fill our own selfish ambitions. Instead of loving people to produce more loving people (as scripture instructs us), we turn our thoughts and affections to material and monetary possessions. We put earthly pleasure and gains ahead of growing God’s kingdom (in Christian circles this is referred to as the prosperity gospel). When we use spiritual means to bring about our ambitions instead of God’s ambitions we are participating in witchcraft.

In 1 John 2:15-17, we’re instructed,

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Jesus warns us in Matthew 16:26,

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?…”

So is the law of attraction a sin? Is manifestation a sin? In the manner its used today, yes. Again we are in a situation where we have to decide to walk in God’s will or to serve our will. Anything other than God’s will leads us into sin. That why scripture speaks so firmly against it.

What the Bible Has to Say About Affirmations, Meditation, and the Law of Attraction

By now I’m sure you realize how important discernment is when studying topics like positive affirmations, mediation, and the Law of Attraction.

Based on scripture we can conclude the following:

• Our words are important, but if we aren’t affirming TRUTH, we’re misusing them.
• Our thoughts are important, but if we aren’t meditating on TRUTH we’re missing the mark.
• The principle of sowing and reaping isn’t meant for material possession and riches but for training people in TRUTH and helping them learn how to recognize falsehoods.

The devil is a liar; He perverts the truth and creates counterfeits which is why there is so much confusion surrounding these topics. Thankfully we have scripture and the wisdom of Holy Spirit to help us discern! 

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