There’s a lot of debate surrounding the use of positive affirmations within the Christian community. Some people believe that they’re an effective way to change your mindset and improve your life, while others believe that they go against the teachings of the Bible.
So, should Christians use positive affirmations? In this blog post, we’ll explore both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion based on scripture and reason.
What are positive affirmations and why are they used by some people, including Christians?
Positive affirmations are positive, present tense statements that describe a desired situation or goal. The terminology of making “affirmations“ refers chiefly to the method of positive thinking and self-empowerment.
For example, “I am healthy and whole” or “I am successful in everything I do.”
People use positive affirmations to change their thinking patterns from negative to positive, which can lead to improved moods and better life outcomes.
There’s nothing wrong with having a positive mental attitude about oneself, however, when we make ourselves the center of our attention and focus on our own happiness above all else, it becomes idolatry.
We are putting ourselves in the place of God and expecting Him to bless us based on our own abilities rather than God’s grace.
The Bible tells us to meditate on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
Some people may argue that using positive affirmations may be self-focused because it’s a form of self-care.
While it ‘s important to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally, we need to be careful not to put our own needs above God’s.
As Christians, we are called to love Him first and foremost, and our relationship with Him should be the foundation of our lives. Everything else should flow from that.
How do positive affirmations contradict the teachings of Christianity?
The Bible tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39) and to serve one another (Galatians 5).
If we are constantly affirming how great, wonderful, and successful we are, it can blind us to the needs of others.
When we make ourselves the center of our attention, it can lead to narcissism and a lack of empathy. We see this happen time and time again in the world today – people who are self-focused on their happiness, without any regard for those around them.
Christians are called to a higher standard. We are called to love God first and foremost, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. That means that our focus should not be on ourselves, but on others.
When we put others first, we are modeling the steadfast love of Christ and fulfilling the greatest commandment.
So, while positive affirmations are all very positive things and may make us feel good in the moment, they ultimately go against what Christianity teaches.
The Bible says that the main problem of man is sin. His sin has separated him from God and causes all the problems he faces in life.
No matter how much you improve yourself or how positive you think, it will never solve the problem of death. You might be able to temporarily relieve stress by distracting yourself, but you will never be able to avoid God’s judgement for your sins after death.
What are some specific examples of how positive affirmations conflict with Christianity?
First, positive affirmations are based on the idea that we can change our reality through our thoughts alone.
Non-believers use such affirmations to manifest things from the universe.
This is not biblical. This is called the “law of attraction,” and this sort of mysticism has its origins in Eastern religions and new age practices – a central tenet of witchcraft.
Christians are not to practice witchcraft (Deuteronomy 18:11).
Second, positive affirmations focus on making us feel good in the here-and-now, rather than eternity.
They often involve phrases like “I am enough,” “I am happy,” or “I am successful.” But as Christians, our hope is not in this world; it’s in the next (Colossians 3: 1-4).
Third, many positive affirmations are rooted in narcissism.
They make us the center of our attention, rather than God.
Phrases like “I am worthy” or “I am deserving” put the focus on ourselves instead of on Christ Jesus.
Let’s instead focus on God’s desires and eternity.
As it says in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
When we keep our hearts focused on God, our words and actions will follow suit.
How should Christians view positive affirmations and use it to guide our Christian lives in accordance with the Bible?
The Bible is full of verses that tell us to encourage one another. In fact, throughout Scripture, we see God affirming His people.
For example, in the Old Testament He tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous.”
In the New Testament, Lord Jesus Christ tells His disciples that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
And Paul writes to Timothy that our Lord God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
How Christians Use Positive Affirmations
As I see it, Christians can apply positive affirmations, but it must rely on God’s word!
Just as the Lord encourages us throughout Scripture, we should encourage one another with positive affirmations from His Word.
By speaking words of life and hope, we can build each other up in the faith and help resolve stress or negative thinking.
The potential dangers of using positive affirmations instead of relying on God’s Word
For one, it could lead us to believe that we’re capable of meeting our own needs without God’s help. Additionally, if we focus too much on positive affirmations, we may start to believe that we are better than others or that we don’t need God’s forgiveness.
What is most important is that our focus remains on Christ and His righteousness, not on ourselves and our own abilities.
When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will provide everything we need – including the strength to overcome challenges and the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)
What is the difference between using a Personal affirmations versus using Bible verses as Christian affirmations and biblical counseling?
Personal affirmations are “I am” statements that focus on the self. Bible verses, on the other hand, are “God is” statements that center on Him and His promises.
So which one should we use?
According to biblical counselor Edward T. Welch, “The ‘I am’ of personal affirmations is a declaration of independence from God while the ‘God is’ of biblical meditation is a declaration of dependence upon Him.”
Instead of saying “I AM calm”, you should say, ” I FIND REST IN GOD.” (Hebrews 4: 9 9)
When we make declarations about who we are without looking to God as our source, we are exalting ourselves above Him. we are avoiding the truth about who we really are. We are trying to escape our brokenness and sinfulness by affirming things that aren’t true.
But when we look to Scripture to tell us who we are, we are declaring our dependence on Jesus – something that is essential for Christians. We are faced with the truth – both the good and the bad. And it is only when we come face-to-face with our brokenness that we can be truly healed.
So if you’re struggling with low self-esteem, instead of using positive affirmations, try looking at a bible verse.
Find a biblical perspective that tell you who God says you are and meditate on those. As you do, you’ll start to see yourself the way God sees you – and that is the most positive thing of all.
Examples of how Scripture can be used in personal affirmation in a healthy way
Use Biblical Affirmations
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:15)
This verse affirms that we need Christ to bear fruit. It also teaches us humility, as it shows that we can’t do anything without Him. We can use this verse to remind ourselves that we are dependent on Christ and that He is the source of our strength.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:23)
This verse is a great reminder that we are not alone. God is with us always, even when we feel scared or alone. We can use this verse to remind ourselves that we can face anything because God is with us.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (I Peter 57:19)
This verse reminds us that we can trust God with our worries and fears. We can give Him our anxieties and know that He will take care of us. This is a great reminder to focus on Jesus instead of our anxieties.
The bible teaches many examples of how we can use personal affirmation in a healthy way.
By casting our anxieties on God and depending on Him for strength, we can use positive affirmations to boost our success, resolve stress, or boost our self-worth in ways that honor God.
How can Christians replace a positive affirmation with biblical truth?
The Bible tells us to meditate on God’s Word day and night (Joshua 1:8).
When we do this, we are filling our minds with His truths and promises. This is what will help us to overcome negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves.
It’s not about affirming our own worth; it’s about fixing our eyes on Jesus and His perfect and steadfast love for us.
3 Steps to replace positive affirmations with biblical truths
First, we need to be in the Word regularly. We need to saturate our minds with Scripture so that when negative thoughts come, we have the truth of God to counter them with.
Second, we need to memorize Scripture. When we have God’s Word hidden in our hearts, it will be readily available to combat those lies when they come.
Last, we need to share the truth of God’s Word with others. When we encourage one another with biblical truths, it helps to build each other up and keep our focus on Jesus Christ.
Closing thoughts
In conclusion, positive affirmations, when used in the Christian perspective as positive Christian affirmations, can be a helpful tool in our Christian life. However, we must be careful not to rely on them too heavily or use them as a replacement for God’s Words.
We should be careful about how we use them because there’s great power in our words. There are two things that make words powerful: the meaning we put behind them and what inspires those words.
Inspiration comes from two sources: God and Satan.
To assume that just the act of speaking words about ourselves to transform our thinking and achieve success is to open a door for the enemy to come in and counterfeit what God is trying to do.
We should make sure that they are inspired by God and not by Satan. We need discernment.
If you’re struggling with whether or not to use positive affirmations, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and seek the Holy Spirit. Ask God for wisdom and He will guide you in the path that is best for you. (Proverbs 5-6)
So Should Christians use positive Affirmations?
Ultimately, it is up to each individual Christian to prayerfully decide whether or not using positive affirmations is helpful or harmful in their personal walk with Jesus.
I think what’s more important is to fill our minds with the truth of God’s Word instead!
Always follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance for you. If you would like to try daily affirmations in the Christian perspective, start with reading a Bible verse and follow up with a positive affirmation that matches.
Using Christian affirmations from the Scripture can be a powerful way to open our hearts and pull us on the right path to God’s presence and promises when we’re going through a difficult time.
We are only truly set free in His truth.
Amen!
So let’s start today by reading Joshua chapter one and meditating on God’s promises to us!
If you don’t have a Bible at home, no worries! You can read it online for free at websites like biblegateway.com or youversion.com.
Just choose your preferred translation, like the New International Version (NIV) or English Standard
Are you comfortable with the concept of daily affirmations as a Christian? Or do you think they go against the biblical truth? Do you have any favorite biblical affirmations? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And be sure to check out our other posts on Christian living, and more self-care for Christians, tips on taking care of yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically. God bless you!
