Positive Affirmations versus Biblical Affirmations

by Bibi Babatunde-Ikotun

If you follow me on Instagram, you'd know that I post affirmations daily on my stories. I am a very big fan of affirmations because I know the power words can have over our minds. However, there is a difference between uttering positive affirmations and biblical affirmations. Before we go into the differences, let's establish a definition for affirmation.

Different platforms define it slightly differently, let's see some samples:

• Affirmations are powerful sentences, positive statements that are aimed to tap into your conscious and unconscious mind.
• Affirmations are positive statements used to encourage yourself and boost self-esteem. You can use affirmations to defy negative thoughts, help overcome anxiety, and to increase self-love.
• Affirmations are short phrases you can repeat to change the way you think and feel about yourself. If you meditate or practice yoga, you may already be familiar with affirmations

If you're like me, you're probably looking at the concept of affirmations with suspicious eyes. Why? It's tapping into your "conscious and unconscious mind", it's giving spirituality without the substance of Christ, it's self-reliant and I got lost at the part of new age meditative and yoga practices.

If you're not like me, you may be thinking, "What is so bad about these things"? Don't get me wrong, this is a valid question and I'll share a little about why the believer should have an excellent mindset to affirmations.

Affirmations are powerful sentences

For Christians, the word of God has the most powerful sentences that is able to build us up and help transform the way we think. Is it advisable to use affirmations that are not in alignment with scripture? What is the basis of these affirmations? To whom do you affirm? Yourself? The Universe? These are questions you ask yourself when you use "powerful" words without a basis in scripture. 

Affirmations encourage, overcomes negative thoughts and teach self-love

The bible instructs us to encourage ourselves in the lord and not in positive statements. In situations of negative thoughts and anxiety, there are so many scriptures that instruct us on what to do. 

Philippians 4.8 (AMP) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The above verses clearly instruct us on how to manage negative thoughts and anxiety, why do we leave these beautiful words and turn to positive statements with no biblical foundations? 

Affirmations help you change the way you feel about yourself

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The believer in Christ has been completely transformed by the Holy spirit. If you want to know and feel better about yourself, you have to look into the mirror of God, which is the bible. Mere words of positive affirmations should not be the solution to those days that you forget whose you are! The word of Christ must dwell richly in your heart that it informs you of all that God has made you in Him. 

Do you get it now? There's more in scripture for the believer than relying on empty words. God wants you to hide his word in your heart so that you understand it and speak it over yourself in times of difficulty, doubt and uncertainty. 

Biblical Affirmations

Unlike empty positive affirmations, biblical affirmations are rooted in biblical truth. They are God-focused, God-breathe, and God-exalting. The certainty of our affirmations is on the premise of what Christ has done. They are not mere "make-believe" words but faith-filled words. Through biblical affirmations, we can grow in the word of God. It also gives hope, comfort and strength to face each day.

An example of a biblical affirmation is "I affirm that I walk in the spirit and do not fulfill the desires of the flesh such as anger, malice, lust." This affirmation is based on Galatians 5.16 which tells us how to walk in the spirit in our day-to-day lives.

Feel free to create bible inspired affirmations and speak them over yourself often or you can check out my newly launched "Daily Christian Affirmations" booklet on amazon. Alternatively, you can search "Bibi Babatunde-Ikotun" on your local amazon store to find this booklet.

God's word is true! Don't neglect it in pursuit of empty words that lead you away from trusting in God.

God bless you!

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for daily biblical affirmation on my stories: https://www.instagram.com/bibilamour04/