The concept of “positive confession” refers to the belief that our words have power and that by verbally confessing positive statements, we can bring about desired outcomes in our lives. This belief is prevalent in some Christian circles, especially within the Word of Faith movement.
When examining this doctrine in light of Scripture, we find there are elements of truth as well as areas requiring discernment and balance. On one hand, the Bible clearly teaches the power of the tongue and that our words reflect the state of our heart (Prov 18:21, Matt 12:34). Additionally, we are instructed to set our minds on things above rather than earthly things (Col 3:2) and to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5). So confessing truths from Scripture and rejecting negative thoughts can be beneficial.
However, some take these principles to an unbiblical extreme. They teach that our words have innate spiritual power to “speak things into existence.” But only God has such power (Gen 1:3, Rom 4:17). Additionally, some wrongly believe that all sickness and adversity result from negative confessions and that the solution is to verbally “claim” one’s healing or desired outcome. But the Bible teaches that trials serve God’s purposes in our lives (James 1:2-4, Rom 5:3-5).
Furthermore, some teach that spoken positive confession is an unconditional spiritual law or force. But Scripture teaches God responds to heartfelt prayer, not magical formulas (1 John 5:14-15). Our faith is in Him, not in the creative power of our words (Ps 33:6-9).
In summary, biblical confession involves aligning our words with God’s truth (Heb 4:14), rejecting lies and anxiety (Phil 4:8), expressing gratitude (Eph 5:20), and bringing requests to God (Phil 4:6-7). Through abiding in Christ, the Spirit renews our minds and manifests His fruit in our lives (John 15:7, Gal 5:22-23). While our words have significance, we must be careful not to overstate their power or diminish God’s sovereignty.
With discernment, we can embrace the biblical principles of speaking truth, renewing our minds through Scripture, having faith in God’s promises, and bringing our requests to Him. But we must guard against unbiblical extremes that distort God’s sovereignty, how He ordains trials, and the dynamics of prayer. In the end, positive confession has value when founded on God’s Word and subordinated to His wise, loving purposes.
In 7000 words…
The concept of “positive confession” refers to the belief that our spoken words have innate spiritual power to shape our lives and circumstances according to what we verbally confess. This belief has become prevalent in some Christian circles, especially those associated with the Word of Faith movement and teachers such as Kenneth Hagin, Charles Capps, and Kenneth Copeland.
When examined in light of Scripture, we find there are elements of truth within the teaching of positive confession, as well as areas that require discernment and theological balance. On one hand, the Bible clearly teaches that our words and the tongue have power and influence (Prov 18:21, Matt 12:34). Additionally, believers are instructed to set their minds on things above rather than earthly things (Col 3:2) and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). So confessing scriptural truths and rejecting unbiblical thoughts can certainly be beneficial.
However, some take these basic principles to an unbiblical extreme. They teach that our words have innate spiritual power in and of themselves to “speak things into existence” almost like God Himself does. But Scripture makes it clear that only God has such power and authority inherent within His own words (Gen 1:3, Rom 4:17, Heb 1:3). Additionally, some in the positive confession movement wrongly assume that all sickness, poverty and adversity in life are the result of negative confessions and a lack of audibly “claiming” one’s healing or desired outcome. But the Bible clearly teaches that trials, suffering and adversity can serve God’s sovereign purposes in our lives (James 1:2-4, Rom 5:3-5, 1 Pet 1:6-7).
Furthermore, some in the positive confession movement present the use of spoken words as an unconditional spiritual law or metaphysical force. But biblical prayer is not about formulas, name-it-claim-it techniques, or mystical cause-and-effect forces. Rather, Scripture presents heartfelt prayer as making our requests known to a personal God who hears us and responds according to His perfect will and timing (1 John 5:14-15). Our faith is in Him – not in creative power inhering in the words themselves (Ps 33:6-9).
In summary, there are biblically balanced ways to understand positive confession. These include aligning our words and thoughts with God’s truth (Heb 4:14), speaking words of life not death (Prov 18:21), fixing our thoughts on honorable things (Phil 4:8), confessing and giving thanks to God (Eph 5:20), bringing our heartfelt requests to God in prayer (Phil 4:6-7), and believing God’s promises (2 Pet 1:4). As we abide in Christ through His Spirit and Word, our minds are renewed (Rom 12:2) and His fruit is increasingly manifested in our lives (John 15:7, Gal 5:22-23). While our words certainly have significance, we must be very careful not to overstate their power or diminish God’s sovereignty.
In conclusion, with discernment we can embrace the biblical principles of speaking truth, renewing our minds according to Scripture, having faith in God’s promises, and bringing our heartfelt petitions before Him in prayer. But we must guard against unbiblical extremes that distort the dynamics of prayer, God’s sovereignty, and how He wisely ordains trials in our lives according to His good purposes. Within these balanced biblical parameters, positive confession can have value and benefit. But our words must always be submitted to the truths of Scripture and oriented toward the glory of God.
In 5000 words…
The concept of “positive confession” refers to the belief that our spoken words have spiritual power to shape reality according to what we verbally confess. This belief has become popular in some Christian circles, especially the Word of Faith movement.
There are elements of truth here, as Scripture teaches our words and tongue are powerful (Prov 18:21), and we should renew our minds with God’s truth (Rom 12:2) and reject unbiblical thoughts (2 Cor 10:5). Confessing Scripture and rejecting lies can be beneficial.
However, some take this teaching to unbiblical extremes. They act as if our words have innate power to create reality, but only God has such authority (Gen 1:3). Some also falsely assume all adversity results from negative confessions, ignoring how God uses trials for our growth (James 1:2-4). Furthermore, some present positive confession as an unconditional metaphysical law rather than heartfelt prayer dependent on God’s will (1 John 5:14-15).
In summary, biblical confession means aligning our words with God’s truth (Heb 4:14), expressing thanks (Eph 5:20), believing His promises (2 Pet 1:4), and bringing requests to Him (Phil 4:6-7). As we abide in Christ, our minds and lives are renewed (John 15:7). While our words have significance, we must not overstate their power or limit God’s sovereignty.
We should embrace confessing truth, having faith in God’s Word, bringing heartfelt requests to Him, and rejecting lies. But we must avoid extremes like speaking reality into existence or viewing words as controlling spiritual laws. Positive confession has value when submitted to Scripture and focused on God’s purposes.
In 3000 words…
The concept of “positive confession” in some Christian circles refers to the belief our spoken words have innate spiritual power to shape reality according to what we confess. Mainly promoted by the Word of Faith movement, it claims we can “name it and claim it” or “speak things into existence.”
While Scripture says our words are powerful (Prov 18:21) and we should renew our minds with truth (Rom 12:2), some take this teaching too far. They act as if our words have God-like power to create reality, but only God has this authority (Gen 1:3). Some also wrongly assume adversity results from negative confessions, downplaying God’s sovereign purposes in trials (James 1:2-4). Further, some present positive confession as a metaphysical law rather than prayer dependent on God’s will (1 John 5:14-15).
In short, biblical confession means speaking God’s truth, giving thanks, claiming His promises, and bringing requests to Him while rejecting lies and anxiety. Our words matter, but we must avoid exaggerating their power while submitting to God’s sovereignty and Word.
We should embrace confessing truth, trusting God’s promises, bringing requests to Him, and rejecting unbiblical thoughts. But we must beware of unbalanced extremes like trying to speak reality into existence or treating words as controlling spiritual formulas. With discernment, positive confession can be beneficial when kept in biblical bounds.
In 1000 words…
The concept of “positive confession,” promoted by the Word of Faith movement, refers to the belief our spoken words have innate spiritual power to shape reality according to what we confess verbally. Advocates claim we can “name it and claim it” or “speak things into existence.”
While the Bible says our words and tongues have power (Prov 18:21) and we should renew our minds with truth (Rom 12:2), positive confession takes this too far. Adherents act as if our words have God-like creative power, but only God has this authority (Gen 1:3). Some also falsely assume adversity and sickness result from negative confessions, downplaying God’s sovereign purposes in trials (James 1:2-4). Further, they treat positive confession like a metaphysical law rather than biblical prayer dependent on God’s will (1 John 5:14-15).
Biblical confession means speaking God’s truth, giving thanks, claiming His promises, bringing requests to Him, and rejecting lies and anxiety. Our words matter, but we should avoid exaggerating their power or diminishing God’s sovereignty. With discernment, positive confession can be beneficial when kept in biblical balance.
