Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 088 - The Truth About Affirmations
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 088 – The Truth About Affirmations
Thank you for taking time to share your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children.
I have some questions for you to ponder as we start the episode today.
What do you do when you desire change in your life?
Where is the first place you seek to find direction?
What gives you strength?
Where do you find hope that change can occur?
Many people turn to a popular source of hope for change. Affirmations are often used in today’s society. Many coaches, speakers, and influencers recommend their use for daily life and business success.
You may wonder what affirmations are. I think an easy description is that affirmations are a method that some people use to change beliefs or behaviors. Affirmations can be written or spoken and are to be used as if they are “already happening.”
Some examples would be: “I am successful in my career” or “I attract wealth.” As people use affirmations they create or choose, the written or spoken word is meant to “reprogram” the mind, encourage, and change beliefs or actions about self, life, business, finances, and so on. Affirmations are believed to alter thoughts and actions as they attract what the user desires.
Affirmations may be popular, but as I describe them, do you think they sound biblical? As you listen, can you see that they actually sound secular? A word like “attract” is more often a “New Age” term and should alert believers to beware. As we continue this episode, ask God to give you discernment as to whether you should be using affirmations. I’ll show you why I think He calls us to another source.
Scripture is very clear that Christians don’t carry transformative power, except for that of the Holy Spirit alive within us. So why would we believe that speaking affirmations that are simply words and thoughts coming from human experiences, beliefs, and desires would be worth repeating in an effort to manifest change?
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”
Romans 8:7 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
Some proponents of speaking affirmations believe that using them “raises vibrations” or “channels abundance.” Again, this is stepping into New Age terminology and beliefs that are in opposition to God and His Word. Others in favor of using affirmations may believe they’re using positivity to create changes within themselves. They use the affirmations as visual reminders of their goals, prompts to remember goals, encouragement to get there, or inspiration to promote change.
When you begin to use affirmations, you learn that there are guidelines – or rules as to how to correctly apply affirmations, such as when and how to use them. As followers of Christ, we have been set free of worldly rules of this type. In fact, we must remember that Scripture offers the best guide for creating desired changes in words, behavior, actions, and successes. You don’t need to chant or write words a certain number of times or get caught up in remembering to recite those affirmations daily.
Users of affirmations insist they seem to work. I think the mind is pliable and feeds from the positivity and consistency. However, I also believe that affirmations pose a danger in swaying a person to rely on self instead of Savior. The Bible clearly warns believers against self-reliance. As users repeat the practice of claiming affirmations there is increasing reliance on self and decreasing dependance on God. That is not a safe place for any Christian.
Let’s back up a bit and start as I often do by finding the meaning of the word affirm. The word is used “to state or assert positively.” Another definition is to “maintain a true.” Simply making a statement and believing it to be true isn’t as impactful or lasting as prayerful consideration of what God calls you to do - or relying on Him to shift your thoughts, actions, reactions, or circumstances. If you’re a user of affirmations, please don’t shut out what I am saying. Would you please prayerfully consider the message I am delivering?
As believers, Proverbs 3:5-6says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Rely on God to “affirm” you, your future, and what you canor should do.
Scripture is clear that you are instructed to take thoughts captive for Christ. In fact, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Scripture is both your offense and defense.
We know from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is the source of the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
You can trust God’s powerful, holy Word. Through it, you are equipped for every good work. Just what is a good work? What you discern from following God through a maturing walk with Jesus and prayerful consideration of His voice and will.
2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Scripture proves that not even prophets could trust self. They were merely humans who spoke from God as the Holy Spirit moved within them.
The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is Truth, as God is Truth. The Holy Spirit always works in accordance with Scripture, never contradictory. Since the Word comes from the Source of the Holy Spirit it is the very breath and life of God. Spoken word (and breath) was used by God to create the world, the universe, you and me. Hebrews 11:3says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” What power comes from God and His word!
In Ephesians 6:17, we read, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Using this image of the sword of the Spirit, we better understand that the strength we hold comes directly from God. As Ephesians speaks of the sword, remember that this is a deadly weapon used in war. The imagery used in this verse reminds us again of the mightiness of God and His Word.
Proverbs 18:21a says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Great good or destructive harm can be achieved through the tongue. When you speak affirmations you are choosing to affirm life or death. Anything not based on God’s truth is speaking death. Anything based on power of self over Savior carries deception and death.
Do you remember Jesus’s reaction when confronted by Satan in the desert? Scripture was the weapon He used with strength and success. Jesus didn’t bargain with the devil or speak positive affirmations. He went straight to the source of wisdom and power. God’s Holy Word.
The best defense you and I can employ in this world is to use Scripture as Jesus did. Our Savior didn’t need to fight or look to self. The Word did all He needed. Just as it does for you and me.
Our offense is also the Word. As Scripture is used in preaching, coaching, and counseling we recognize power purposed by our sovereign and holy Heavenly Father as He prepares us to rely on His strength and skill.
In a culture increasingly falling away from Christ, we must recognize and resist the pull to affirm self. Dare to deepen your faith and consistently proclaim God’s Word as the foundation of Truth on which to build your basis of identity, morality, or change. As you stand on the Word of God as foundational for your thoughts, dreams, and desires and speak His Words as truth over situations, Satan gains zero foothold over your mind, words, or actions. Instead, you move ever closer to the One who created you, defines you, and loves you with an everlasting source of love, hope, and truth. Seek more of Him and less of self, regardless of what this world may instruct. You will begin to recognize the dreams He planted deep within you when you were created. You will accomplish much more than you can imagine or hope for.
How can we think that our words hold power to transform? It is nothing more than pride. Do you see the obedience and power in using God’s Word? When people rely on affirmations made by self, they fall victim to this verse from 2 Corinthians 4:4 which says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Instead believer, remember John 1:3 which says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
God is the expert on you. He knows the dreams built within you that you may not have even discovered yet. Build your walk with Him through Christ and seek His thoughts on what to affirm in your life through His holy Word, through prayer, and through relationship with Him.
Allow Scripture, not affirmations, to be the force that rewires your brain pathways and changes your outlook, desires, and actions.
Using Scripture is easy. Start with several verses from the Bible. Turn those lines into words you can use to affirm truth, power, and strength from God in your life. First, I’ll read the Scripture as it is in the Bible, then using inspiration from that verse, I’ll craft biblical affirmations of God’s truth as examples for you to use and to begin building additional statements for you to use. I love calling these Scripture Statements.
2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Statement: God is my comforter through any tribulation. He gives me assurance and ability to comfort others in trouble using the comfort and strength He gives to me.
2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
Statement: Through God I am competent to claim excellence.
Psalm 116:1-2 says, “I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.”
Statement: God hears every one of my prayers.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Statement: I delight in the Lord! He knows the true desires of my heart and will give me all I need.
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Statement: God is my refuge and strength.
Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Statement: I have no fear, because I trust in the Lord.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Statement: God’s peace is far above my understanding, and He is the one guarding my heart and mind.
Colossians 2:10 says, “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”
Statement: I am complete in every way through God, the head of all principality and power.
2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Statement: Because of Christ, I delight in weaknesses and difficulties because my strength is complete in Him.
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Statement: No matter my past, I am renewed through Christ! Through God, I have a new way of life and desires.
Psalm 94:19 says, “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Statement: God comforts and delights my heart and soul.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Statement: I don’t care what this world brings. I live by faith in the Lord, not by sight.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Statement: I am strong and courageous because the Lord is with me wherever I go.
Do you see the power God gives you through His Word and the Holy Spirit within you? Don’t disobediently rely on man-made words to attempt change in your life. Instead, seek God first and use the power He has gifted you in supernatural, holy ways.
Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are! We praise You for giving us the gift of Your Holy Word and the strength and guidance You provide to us through it. Father, help us remember to rely on Scripture rather than self. Help us to call on our Savior over self. Help us have your discernment and wisdom. Enable us to discern with Your insight when we are moving away from You or following worldly methods. Bring us back to You and Your will and ways. Help us utilize Your Word as the foundation for our beliefs and identity. Help us craft change in our life because we rely on Scripture and call on Your mighty power. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
If you’re a working mom inside or outside the home and need an easy way to begin teaching your babies, toddlers, or preschoolers about Jesus, send me an email at info@terrihitt.com. I’m currently working on a devotional to bring your children to the feet of Jesus early. Let me know you’re interested, and I’ll let you know how to receive a copy.
Also, you may have heard me talk about the Set-Apart Collective often in this podcast. Why do I share it so often? I know the program works. Through 8 weeks of one-on-one and group coaching, along with Scripturally-based materials I provide, you will complete 8 steps that include the following: Seek God First, Establish Identity, Teach Truth, A Set-Apart Woman, Parent Set-Apart Kids, Arm for Battle, Relationships, and Training. What you learn and solidify in your personal life will directly affect the way you serve God and parent for Him. It will help you construct godly confidence and esteem through Christ in your children. Whether you’re expecting or your kids are out of the house, I guarantee that the work you do in this collective will carry you closer to Christ and your children.
If you’re ready to invest in the future of yourself and your children, contact me at info@terrihitt.com for more details or visit terrihitt.com/setapart. Because you are a podcast listener, let me know you heard about the special price I’m offering you. I seriously want you to experience results and live a set-apart life with a set-apart family. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do.
Why? Because supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective.
If you’ve decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child and you desire to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, the Set-Apart Collective, will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to see whether it would be a good fit for you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ.
If you connected in some way with this episode, it only takes a minute to leave a rating and review. I’m asking you to please do that. It makes it easier for others to find the podcast. Since you and I know that the most trusted recommendations are by word of mouth, would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too.
Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection.