Countless self-help books, trainings, and articles tout the virtues of using “positive affirmations” in order to achieve a goal. The idea is to tell yourself things that help you overcome negative thinking and to claim the thing that you want to have happen.
- Sales: “I am a successful salesperson!” and “Today I will make a big sale!”
- Self-esteem issues: “I am capable!” and “I will do great things!”
- Weight loss: “Today I will eat healthy and get exercise!” and “I am shedding pounds every day!”
- Job search: “I am a competent individual” and “I will find that job today!”
Positive affirmations have been used for years, but do they really work?
Studies show that they do have an impact, as long as you are consistent in using them. They have an effect on the brain that can be helpful in many areas, including stress reduction, managing bad habits, and academic success.1
This concept is not some new idea thought up by psychologists and motivators. It was actually introduced by God back in Genesis 1 when God spoke the world into existence. We are created in the image of God, and what we say impacts our lives and the lives of others. Consider these verses:
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4, NLT
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:2-6, NIV
Those are very strong words! Negative words can “corrupt the whole body” and “set the whole course of one’s life on fire”, but life-giving words can bring good things to life. Although any positive affirmation can be useful, it will be even more useful when we speak the very words of God.
Consider how these verses could bring about positive change in your life:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10, ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1, ESV
Consider how repeating these verses could improve self-esteem, encourage positive living habits, and eliminate feelings of regret or guilt.
Unfortunately, many of us fall prey to the “complaint” mentality. In recent years, conventional wisdom has hailed “venting” as a positive way to deal with conflict and negative situations-but research doesn’t support this. Although venting can make you feel better in the moment, studies suggest that the more you vent, the worse you feel.2
The same goes for other negative talk including the hate speech that we unfortunately see so frequently on social media. Those who are angry only become angrier and often find themselves alienated from others who hold different views. Not only are they and their message perceived in a negative fashion, but it can actually push people to an opposite position.
Venting, complaining, hate speech, and other negative speech are all forms of “death speech” that wreak havoc on your body and life. In an article on Marque Medical it says this:
In fact, doctors have found that people with high levels of negativity are more likely to suffer from degenerative brain diseases, cardiovascular problems, digestive issues, and recover from sickness much slower than those with a positive mindset.
“The Damaging Effects of Negativity” by Bree Maloney: https://marquemedical.com/damaging-effects-of-negativity/
Why do so many of us practice death speech? Jesus tells us it is because of a heart condition. Here’s what he tells us:
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart,
Luke 6:45, NLT
and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
When anger, hate, grudges, bitterness, or hurt are allowed a foothold in your heart, your speech will usually mirror them. Ongoing death speech becomes a fuel that allows these negative emotions to grow and become a defining feature in your life. When this occurs, Satan celebrates. He knows that as long as you are debilitated in body and mind by your negativity, you can no longer be a positive agent in this world.
Chronic “death speech” is a bad habit with terrible consequences that grows stronger the more it is used. This habit can be incredibly difficult to break, but not impossible. Here are some ways to defeat it:
- Identify the root causes. You cannot overcome death speech until you know what is fueling it. Who hurt you? Who wronged you? What anger or resentment still lingers? You can’t extinguish a fire if the gas is still on. You need to figure out where the gas is coming from. Ask God to show you where you have bitterness in your heart.
- Forgive. Forgiveness is not forgetting or “letting them off the hook”. Forgiveness is a choice to hand the offending person over to God so that you can let it go. It is the decision to stop allowing the offender to control your life. It is freeing yourself to live a better and healthier life.
- Forgive again! Forgiving someone (or multiple people) is often not a one time thing. When you feel that bitterness creeping in again, make the choice to give it over to God as many times as necessary.
- Replace it. When you are trying to break any bad habit, it is a good idea to identify something positive to replace the negative. In this case, the replacement is speaking life. And it is not only a replacement, but it is therapeutic! Identify scriptures in the Bible that speak to your situation along with any other positive statements you want to use. Put them on your bathroom mirror or anywhere that you can look at them frequently. Repeat them out loud as often as you can.
- Don’t give up! Breaking bad habits takes time, but if you continue speaking life every day, eventually you will notice a change in your attitude, your health, and your life.
In addition to the verses mentioned earlier, here are some additional verses that you can use to get started:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13-14, NIV
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4, ESV
Note: With a verse such as this one, you can be alter it to make it more personal like this: “I am from God and I have overcome evil because the Holy Spirit that lives in me is greater than the world!”
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me: your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Psalm 138:8a, ESV
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:5, ESV
Here are a few additional statements based on scripture:
- I am a child of the King! God sees me and I am special to him!
- Jesus loves me so much that he suffered and died so that I could be with him forever!
- The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Today I will focus on (choose one) and will practice it faithfully!
- Because God works all things for good for those who love him, I know that things are going to be ok. God has a plan, and I can’t wait to see what it is!
- God will supply all of my needs!
Songs of Victory
Resources
“Mistaken Identity: See Yourself as God Sees You” by Sheri Bell: https://www.josh.org/god-sees-you-mistaken-identity/?mwm_id=241874010218&mot=J79GNF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjbfU7oX16QIVSdyGCh3cYQk5EAAYASAAEgLFq_D_BwE
Citations:
- “Positive Daily Affirmations: Is There Science Behind It?” by Catherine Moore, Psychologist, MBA. https://positivepsychology.com/daily-affirmations/
- “Venting Just Makes You More Miserable” by Jessica Stillman: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/venting-just-makes-you-more-miserable-science-shows.html
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Royalty-free images from Videoblocks.com