definition of firm: having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure.
definition of affirm: to make firm, to strengthen or to solidify. To strengthen or to make steadfast.
I like to think of self-affirmations as phrases aimed at watering my faith and belief in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, faith is compared to a mustard seed that is planted in a field (Matt. 13:31-32). Apart from the nutrients in the soil and energy from the sun, a seed needs water to live and grow into maturity. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 makes it clear that we, as followers of Christ, are “God’s fellow workers, His field and His building”. So the seed of faith that is sown in our hearts has to be watered by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26) on a daily basis for God to give growth (1 Cor. 3:7).
Affirmations that are spoken out loud and rooted in Biblical truth have the power to strengthen and build up the temple of God within us. When we speak Biblical truth that specifically targets and opposes a struggle, negative thought or memory, we create a culture of positive thinking in our minds and attitudes that oppose negative ideologies and influences.
Speaking over ourselves in positive, targeted affirmations allows us to identify pain points and propose a new way of thinking. Choosing to believe in the words that we say– especially when they are based in the truth of God— allows faith to take over our minds, rather than fear. When done regularly in the face of adversity, the act of speaking affirmations becomes a habit, leading to a more constructive, automatic reaction to a painful memory or intrusive thought.
The Word of God breaks down and uproots strongholds, where, otherwise, these unseen kingdoms within us have total dominion over our flesh, souls, minds and hearts, causing us to sin. Bad habits build a comfortable habitation for the carnal man to dwell in, thus forming strongholds within us.
As a result of the fall of mankind, we lost the dominion given to us by God (Gen. 1:26), but it is received by being born-again in Christ. Equipped with his malicious devices (2 Cor. 2:11), the devil deceives us into worshiping him (Luke 4:6), in the way that we think, the way that we act, and in the words we tell ourselves and others. These all act as counterweights working against our ability to obey the will of God. We must destroy these habitual, bad thoughts by continually speaking affirmations to ourselves, with the utmost belief that they will build up a positive mindset within us.
Job 34:3 tells us that the “ear tests words as the palate tastes food”.This supports Matthew 4:4 because, just as our physical bodies need food to grow and experience life on earth, our spiritual bodies need to “consume” the Word of God everyday in order to grow in spiritual maturity and experience His kingdom.
These self-affirmations are personal reminders to challenge negative thoughts that cause me to develop bad habits and encourage me to cultivate a positive mindset and attitude. John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease”. John was referring to the increase of Christ’s governance (Is. 9:7) over the born-again being or “new man” in Christ (Eph. 4:24). Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50) as a result of corruption through Adam (1 Cor. 15:47-49). One must be made a “citizen of heaven” (Phil. 3:20) through Christ in order for Him to give life (1 Cor. 15:45) to the soul, which is dead in sin (Eph. 2:1). The “I” that has to be decreased is our “image of the man of dust” (1 Cor. 15:49) because it is this image in us that opposes the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:17) and is responsible for manifesting the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-22).
I believe that when positive affirmations are based in the Word of God and are spoken on a daily basis with the belief and understanding of the Scriptures that frame each affirmation, they will have a similar effect to one's spiritual growth as what the Word of God did to the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-10.
Please Note~
As you move through these affirmations, please have your Bible with you, and read each passage listed as you go. This way you can begin to experience the breadth of each affirmation, because as each one was written, the Bible became the backbone, supplying each with a depth of meaning. In my personal experiences as of late, I’ve had to rely on the Bible to give me the mental fortitude to speak against personal, negative thought processes. This is from where the affirmations were born. I am learning to make this a daily habit and I believe that it will drastically change my outlook on life. I hope that these affirmations can help you along your journey of life and will develop a hunger within you for the Word of God.
More to come,
Michael Apa
(and thank you to my most beautiful wife, Meliah, for all her hard work on the web design and social media graphics)
