Are Affirmations Biblical? My Thoughts.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- I Am Worthy of making more money.
I am full of positive love and positive energy.
I am loved, loving, and loveable.
I am becoming the best version of myself
. I am enough.
These are only some of the affirmations I made when I practiced the Law of Attraction as a new ager. What's wrong with these statements? Are self-affirmations like this really new age? Why? Is it wrong to say or think positive things about myself now? Am I supposed to walk around thinking what a terrible person I am because saying positive things about myself is 'new age'?
These are some of the common questions I asked myself when I left the new age, and many have asked me similar questions. Honestly, many ex new agers struggle with this.
In this video, I'm going to share Three main ideas that will help illustrate this and give biblical support to show you what I mean.
**FYI- I did have some audio/visual issues while filming this video. Towards the middle of the video, you'll notice a slight lag. I always strive to put out the best quality image and audio I can for you guys. I was a little frustrated while editing it because it was difficult to fix and debated not posting the video at all. But I thought the content was good and fixed what I could, and overall, I think it came together okay.
Further research:
Talking about the Word of Faith Movement on Cultish:
• What is the Word of Fa...
• What is the Word of Fa...
How the New age Movement Misuses Bible Verses:
• How New Age & Word of ...
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*I AM NOT WORTHY, I AM NOT ENOUGH, JESUS IS ENOUGH, HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT, HE IS WORTHY* :) I am weak and a sinner, I need a savior!
Very biblical... oh wretched man that I am
Amen
Yes....well put
Jesus will make you unworthy anyway
Amen!
I deserve my new car that I worked hard for, I deserve my new house on the beach! I deserve...I deserve...I deserve... Old way of thinking vs my NEW way of thinking... The LORD deserves my love, my praise, my worship, my devotion. I am content in HIM with or without the "things" my flesh desires. I am already enough in Him. Be not conformed by the "ways" of the World but rather transformed by the renewing of your mind. All Praise and GLORY be to God! Great video/well explained Melissa!
Anen I say to that! We can do nothing without the Father, our LORD Jesus Christ N Holy Spirit! All praise and glory goes to our LORD n savior!
Amen!
Amen 🙏
Wow!! So true
Amen! Everything we have is because of Him! The LORD is the source of all blessings.
Oh my! I just realized I was a New Ager! What's even worse I thought I was a Christian the whole time! 😲 Thank you so much for this kind of content. God bless!
And also blasphemous as “ I am “ is a reference to Almighty God Himself and no others!!
I'm just now realizing it as well!!
@@danielaa1178 The irony of you say you are right after someone said saying, "I am" is blasphemous
Bless you for having this realization! It can be hard at first, when u begin diving into sorting out the truth of God. Melissa and Doreen have great content for helping you with that. And I would also recommend looking up Justin Peter’s seminar on Clouds Without Water. That was so huge for me. There’s a lot of resources for us ex Christianese New Agers. God bless. Oh! And the most important, read your Bible. But like, for real this time. Cover to cover. In order. And never cherry pick something out. Read it like you were sitting down recreationally to read a fiction entertainment book, where you really need to grasp the entire plot. Committed, and always in order. Good luck. ♥️
Praise God! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
I suspect the reason new age affirmations typically begin with "I am" is to establish oneself as one's own god. God called Himself "I am" in the Old Testament.
Agreed. Same as the film ‘I am Legend’ Hollweird teaching ppl that humans are Gods.
Big facts, its blasphemy to say "I am" then say something that's a good thing of God!
AMEN! I cringe every time. In other words it is self worship and deceptive
And in the New.
@B D that's God revealing who *He* is. We are made in His image, but we aren't *Him.*
Affirmations needs to be replaced with praying, studying the Bible and meditation(pondering,thinking about) God’s word. I used to be part of the Word of Faith movement. It has brought a lot of heart ache for me and I’m having to unlearn what I was taught. If people can be spared of these teachings it would be a huge blessing. Thank you for doing your videos they have been a huge blessing on my journey. 😀
Praise God you got out!
Amen. The only thing I will affirm is what God said in his Holy Word
What’s the word of faith movement? I’ve never ever heard of that.
Hello amber, what helped you out of the movement. How can i best witness to friends and family? Thanks
I am so thankful to be out also. Looking back I am amazed at how deceived I was. So much of it now seems absolutely ridiculous. Praise God for his grace and mercy!
Melissa, God has gifted you with the ability to make such informative, interesting, entertaining, easy to understand videos that glorify God. God bless you!!!
Helpful too. At first I had no idea affirmations could be bad at all!
Thank you! Praise God for his gifts to us 🙏😊
Christians need to hear this. They are being feed this not only from Word of Faith and the Progressive church, but Psychologists. It's the norm in our culture. That's why it's so important for us to renew our minds with the Word of God. This was excellent. Well done!
TRUE. Psychological perversion infiltrates theology today.
Amen. We need God's word. Father, make me like your Son!!! ☝🏻💫💛
there is a huge difference between positive self-talk and manifesting through affirmations. if your psychologist is teaching you to manifest, he/she is violating their ethics and should be reported to their state licensing board.
Right on point. 👏🏼👏🏼 Obsession with affirmations make us spend so much time and energy faking the reality we want to achieve instead of searching for God to fulfill us.
Muriel BP God bless you 💞🥰💞
If they lead to grand delusion, then yes. But some times we see ourselves as waaay worse than we are which is also messed up.
I agree! I think it's annoying how obsessed people have become with affirmations. Like are we all this codependent on human opinion that we need to constantly be told we are enough and you go girl etc? Jesus already showed us he thinks we are worth dying for IN SPITE of our sin, there is no other being in the universe who could value you even remotely that much! Like what more do we need to know lol we need to live in gratitude to Christ's "affirmations" and live in obedience and humility 💕
One of the kids in our church told a 7 year old in my class she was going to break the swing I told her she wasn’t going to break the swing.
I love love love this video and we need to talk about this more as a church. I have been in therapy for over a decade from a lifetime of trauma and abuse. The therapy world is drencheeedddd in positive self-affirmations, mindfulness meditation, manifestation, and sooo so so much more. I gave my life to Christ 3.5 years ago and the *big* thing that changed my mind about Christianity in that conversion conversation was that the woman I was talking with said "you're right, you're not enough and without Jesus you will never be enough." I had a strong disdain for positive affirmations because I felt like I was in denial of so many things and I felt like they were minimizing what I was going through. Right before giving my life to Christ, I was trans and gay, and the LGBT culture is also filled with self-affirmations.
It's really important that churches, friends, and fellow believers stop this affirmation trend. Even Christian therapists I've seen will preach self-affirmations to the end. Self-affirmations will not get you anywhere. It may change your thinking or rewire your brain but it will do so in such of a prideful way that you might be able to convince yourself that you are in fact better than God. (spoiler: you're not better than God).
I stopped doing positive affirmations and have instead acknowledged my sinfulness in gratitude and praise to God because without Him I am nothing good. It has made my life so much more fulfilling because it is filled with Jesus and not self. I've never been so strong in my recovery from PTSD, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide. Affirmations did not do that, Jesus did.
Sierra Duran What an inspiration your testimony is to others! Blessings !
Praise the Lord!!
Amen 🙌🏻 glad you’re doing better. 🤗
I have had similar pasts. I too had no idea. It is such a relief. My guilt has lifted. I hope you have experienced the same.🙏🏻
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with positive self-talk; in fact meditation that aligns with God's Word is encouraged by scripture itself: "{1} Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." [Psalms 1:1-2]
The word meditate in verse 2 above is translated from the Hebrew verb _hagah_ , the common meaning of which is to mutter (speak under one's breath).
What you don't want to do is to reinforce an auto-deceptive delusion that your words are magic.
I agree
I like the way you broke it down and explained it. Thanks !
Honestly.... I was looking on TH-cam only a few DAYS ago to try to find someone explain if affirmations are biblical or demonic.... and you just came up with this video today! Praise God for answering my questions 😍 I actually said in my mind “maybe I shouldn’t Think positively of my self if it isn’t good and should think badly??” And you also talked about that too!
Me too
Me too👌🔥🔥🔥
Divine appointment
That's exactly why people need a biblical foundation reading the word.
My momma taught me that Christians make declarations not affirmations !!! This was a good video
Love this!
Yupp😊😊
I have copied this from another comment but think the author would like it shared:
New age is all about I AM GOD until the day I realized I AM nothing without GOD.
I needed this video, I had a therapy session recently for the post partum depression and anxiety symptoms I’ve been experiencing and my therapist highly suggested saying affirmations. Once I got off the phone, something did not sit right with me about her advice. Although she meant well I knew she was wrong but I really didn’t know how, I thought maybe I was overthinking it. Then this video popped up and answered every question I have! God is good! Thanks sister! Super helpful and informative video, Praise our Lord Jesus Christ 🙏❤️
I was saved out of Wicca and have just discovered your videos. I’m constantly saying, “yes”! You are always so spot on and it’s very encouraging to hear someone else talk about what I also discern in the modern American church. There are such a vast amount of “worship” (so called) songs that sing, “I, I, I, me, me, me”! Worship isn’t about us but about Him.
I used to practice wicca as well and am trying to be vigilant to avoid slipping back into witchcraft.
"Mental sorcery" - that's a great phrase to describe affirmations
I sensed this too with my business team, affirmations were seriously discordant to me coming from a "reformed" (more or less) Baptist background. I ran through their "LifeSAVERS" system a couple of times to understand it, and it just felt wrong at the affirmation portion. "Sorcery" was the best definition I could use.
Note that Jesus actually commands people to love themselves when He says “Love thy neighbour as THYSELF!” However this is a love rooted in God, not rooted in the flesh.
Explain pls
This isn’t a command to love self but an assumption that we already love ourselves and to love our neighbors in the same way.
@@nutricoach7947 some people don't live themselves
@@utamu777 That may be true, but subconsciously they do. Any time that we think about our feelings and needs over someone else is considered "loving thyself." Anytime we feed and take care of ourselves is a form of loving ourselves. We want to live, we want to eat, we want we want we want. All of this because we love ourselves, even when we say we don't.
Interestingly, even suicide can be seen as a misuse of self-love. It is the attempt to protect oneself from enduring pain. We only protect those we love.
My mother is going through therapy for her trauma and all the therapists she has seen are practising this kind of thing. She likes it so much that she wants to be a coach herself. She goes on webinars, and I overheard 10 seconds of one and I heard the words "law of attraction" and my heart almost stopped. She needs help, but not this. I really don't want her to get lost, and my father only says "God will look after her". God will *deal* with her, but this may not be in the way he thinks.
To all who read this comment, would you mind praying for my mother? Thank you, and God bless.
Emily I’ll pray for your mom, for guidance and for her to find the truth when seeking treatment.
I will pray for her
This is so good!!! Thank you🙌🏻
Thanks Melissa. I had a therapist who introduced me to a meditation app that had these affirmations. I deleted it a while ago when I subscribed to you. Thanks for another good one!! Jesus is Lord!
I only listen to to the Abide as it’s completely scripture base, still puts the focus on God while giving you peace and self worth IN CHRIST!
Thanks for this message. It is a huge problem in the Church. My women’s “Bible study” had an exclusive focus on what Christ’s suffering on the cross said about how much we’re worth, instead of what it says about just how wicked we are. Failure to acknowledge this latter keeps people from repentance, and therefore salvation. It is the realization of how UNWORTHY we are that draws us humbly to Christ. It is his great LOVE, not our worth, that sent Him to the cross. Only after our salvation can we talk about any worth, and that worth is 100% in Christ Jesus.
But aren’t we inherently valuable and worth something because we’re made in the image of God? Is that not why God loves us?
@@joyeeverett6196 GOD loves us b/c HE IS LOVE. We, though made in his image, are but sinners. GOD doesn't love us b/c we 'look' like HIM.
I am the worst of sinners...
Ditto 🙌🏼
Let's boast in our weakness.
Mad Cow, I got you beat by a long shot! Even if I am not breaking legal laws left and right, I still break the Lord's left and right!
One thing I need is learning discernment without judging. After all, I do not know complete story like the Lord does.
@Mad Cow. I hear you: Paul said "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1Tim 1:15 Well, if Paul is chief sinner, I will wedge myself in right behind him and be alternate chief or 2nd worst sinner.
Holy Experience I was quoting the bible, but yes it’s no good quoting it without understanding it. That’s a fair summation imo
Also fearfully and wonderfully made
There is something I learned in therapy called toxic positivity. Therapy has just shown me how much I need to FACE REALITY and deal with what is actually happening! Your grounded teachings are helping me understand Jesus so much more. Thank you!
thank you for this! I've been seeing a lot of affirmations from christians on instagram but it made me feel iffy every time I'd see the posts because it would remind me of my past in LOA. thanks to your video, I feel ok to like myself while still knowing i need a savior. :)
A lot of the affirmations they say I AM. and notice in the bible I AM is a name of God!
So glad you covered this! Deception on this topic can be so subtle.
Thanks again for your witness and diligence!
You're welcome! It seemed long overdue 😊
When I first heard the intro I thought ‘Oh brother, she sounds like Joel Osteen’ 🤦🏼♀️ LOL
Is that because truth is not subtle but overpowering?
@@MelissaDougherty Awesome!
Quick question. Would Meridian Theory fall under New Age practice or just Eastern Medicine? Asking for a friend.
@@caminopreacher5958 Both
I always look to the Bible and one of my favorites is Hebrews 12:2 "Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." WE are that joy that was set before Him. Yes, as Paul said, we are wretched, but with Him we are chosen, we are children of God. Great video...again. God bless.
As a saved former witch, you are in a great position to call out these occultic and anti Christian practices and shed light on them for other Christians. Glory to God.
Hey David, I've been looking some but haven't found much on the difference between Wicca and New Age. There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two, but I'm guessing there are some notable distinctions.
Thank God you are saved from that world!
Amen
Thank you, Melissa! This is a topic I’ve struggled with. I have never been into affirmations, but I have a lot of friends who are. It’s been frustrating to try and cut through the weeds to explain my hesitation. This teaching is so clear. Thank you!!
You're welcome! Praise God 🙂🙏🙌🏼😊
Excellent thoughts. I'm surprised the name Joel Osteen didn't come up as his church is pretty much based on affirmations not Jesus!
That's because I already did an entire video on him 😆
Thank you big sis, this clarity is so needed, even in the church!! I was just talking to God about this
I am grateful for this video! Thank you for being a willing vessel to help so many fellow strugglers! I needed this so much today!
Rehearsing who God is and ending with "He loves me so much that He sent Jesus to save me and all of humankind" reminds me of my true place in the order of things. His magnificence and sovereignty--wow-- mindblowing! I'm just glad I get to serve Him!
Wow, I was just thinking about this topic the last few days and really started to question what is biblical with respect to this issue and what isn’t ....thank you!!!
This came right on time. I am starting a new training and the lady who is doing the training insists I attend their "mindsets sessions" I attended one - and only listened 1/2 of it - because I immediately thought "This is not right!" I have to attend these mindsets things, but I will go with scriptures. Knowing I am a sinner and I am lacking - but He is the one who makes me complete. I wrote down every scripture you gave here. Thank you!
Awesome!! You gave me a much better perspective. As a person who went from hating themselves, to the new age, to coming back to the Lord; Melissa you have helped me so much. You, Doreen, Justin, and Costi. Thank you all.
i’ve said it before i’ll say it again, i LOVE the way you talk and explain things! god bless you pretty lady
I stumbled across your teachings about a month ago and I really appreciate your love for the Truth. You are fun to watch and listen to. Keep it up.
New follower here, and I gotta say what I love about your content is that it makes me want to stop whatever I’m doing in order to read and study Scriptures. Thank you for doing what you do!
Been trying to analyze this for a few months now, thank you for this!! So helpful. God bless you!
I used to be really into the “I am” affirmations. You sorted out all the confusion I had regarding this topic. Thank you for speaking on this! You are very helpful. God is sovereign.
Great video! Definitely a widespread issue within the church today. Your point to it not being sustainable is spot on! This is exactly why is stopped doing affirmations even before God stepped in for me regarding false teaching.
that was a great great video! i’ve been struggling with this very topic as i came from the new age. thank you so much for clarifying it.
Agreed on being a healthy assurance for self, when a person do not know who he or she is; not make anything a reality. A coach asked me to do a list of things I wanted to be and it didn’t resound with me...so I learned some things I am as individual, specially that God loved me therefore I am worthy and loved. Not in an egotistical way. I’ve seen people deceiving themselves with these affirmations as you mentioned, we must be very careful 🙏🏼 pray for all of us deviating from what is true 🙏🏼
Thank you for speaking on this. I think it is better for the self to be honest about shortcomings and realizing the value and love we have been given is despite our imperfectness, not because we are "worthy" and "deserve" something. This is something which takes the pressure off us, gives peace and works even when we fail.
Thank you. This is one of the questions, of many I have. I really am learning a lot from your channel and appreciate it.
Thank you so much for making this video!!!!!!! I have been a Christian (not Charismatic, not Calvinist, just your average, run of the mill Believer) for 44 years. And I STILL have trouble articulating the difference between "Affirmations" and Biblical, positive self-talk. This. This is the video for me today. Thank you. Praise God for bringing us into His family of Believers to help us work through this stuff!!! You are such a blessing to me, Melissa, and I'm so, so thankful for you!
I applaude you for your candor on this subject. It is the best video I've found that explains this. God bless you every day for the truth you're speaking regarding this subject.
Ms. Melissa Dougherty ,
Thank you for your preaching. You are are absolutely correct! I love all the verses you picked out which pertaining to your preaching and teaching based on Almighty God's WORD!
Excellent! As a former word of faith , I pray for wisdom and discernment every day. Thank you!
I enjoyed watching this video. I fall short, I used to think having a vision board in my room was okay because I prayed about it with God but these things I put on my vision board was what I wanted for my life, but not what God wants for my life. Thank you for opening my eyes.
As someone who has left the New Age her self, about a year ago or so now, affirmations had to go! The issue that I found, what you alluded to in this video is that the statements I was making were based on my own desires, and my own goals… If your intentions are not biblical, it doesn’t matter what the affirmation say. I think Christians forget, or simply don’t realize that God listens to your heart, which in this case is your intention, more so than the actual words.
with this knowledge if you ignore it God will know you had the chance to obey His teachings but you denied it
Exactly
I am in love with you Melissa. Binge listening your videos and is soo comforting knowing that I'm not alone on my understanding. I see so much of that in the church, that gives me depression sometimes. May God have mercy of our generation.
When I tell you I needed this 🥰🥰🥰 I was confused with both
So long as the confessions and affirmations are scriptural and based off who you are in Christ, then it’s fine.
That's true but only if we accept all what the scripture says in context
But can you even provide a scriptural example of doing self affirmations? I can’t think of anything like that.
Jaqui Rox
Jaqui, I think you’re right. It isn’t likely that the Bible says anything, word for word or in some kind of direct commandment, that affirming or reminding yourself of who you are in Christ and what his hand has made in you is something we are commanded to do all the time, but I think from everything else we are given in the Bible, we can make our case that it is a good thing to do if you do it right! For example, if you look through most of the Gospels, I’m thinking John and Matthew, and Romans (a LOT of good stuff in here) and some of 1 Corinthians..... the Lord tells us plainly who we are and what we are as a result of our love and devotion to Jesus Christ and the subsequent inhabitance of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
For example, in Romans 8:34, we are told that because of what JESUS did on that cross and even just the loving nature of God Himself, we are inseparable from the love of God. So that means we are loved! So is it unbiblical to say that we are loved? Well, if the word He speaks is true (which it is), and the ones He is speaking this to is the believers of Christ (which we are) then we can shout it from the rooftops that we are loved by our God because of His goodness!! And even if it’s not on the rooftops, if ever we are afraid or hurt or lonely or feel unloved, we can speak this to our soul directly, just as David did when his soul was downcast, and remind ourselves of the one who truly loves us.
If anything, keeping yourself from affirming this truth is probably what the devil wants the most for you. If you choose to forget (or refuse to acknowledge) that God loves you, he (the devil) can make a false point out of it and lead you to seek love in worse places. It hurts your soul to not know the truth God speaks about you and when you keep yourself from reminding yourself that the God of angel armies DOES love you and He DOES believe His work of art is special, then you discredit Him in the process. Everything good about you will always point back to Him. So as long you ALWAYS point it back to Him when you affirm the truth about who you are, then you are glorifying the Lord for the amazing work He’s done! And that is absolutely a great thing to do.
One of the worst things about positive secular affirmations is the deluding effect it can have on one’s sanity and reality. Most of the time, these people affirm things that they WANT to be true about themselves but aren’t. And after telling themselves this again and again, they train themselves to believe a lie. That’s not what we’re supporting. Whatever the Bible says God says about us is truth and affirming it is leveling ourselves with the truth. Getting depressed over not having something or becoming conceited over something you do have is inappropriate and based on nothing! Identifying your personal faults and dirt you have without God and then accepting the clean robe that you are given through the cover of our Lord Jesus Christ’s blood is entirely biblically based. So I would just say to make sure to affirm all parts of the biblical truth to yourself and praise God for the work He’s done without becoming conceited or depressed because He gave us a way to be redeemed. And it’s important we remind ourself daily by the reading of the Word, of the redemption we now experience and the one who it was who redeemed us. Entirely biblical!
Jaqui Rox what I like to say is, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” is that still wrong??
@@saltylemon8203 it is not wrong. It is a scriptural truth, and no scriptural truth confessed with the appropriate awareness of context is wrong, regardless of how often it is confessed.
One of my issues with this video is that it equates affirmation to new age, when being affirmed in the truth of God’s word was something long before the new age movement/occult. It is true that affirming oneself of things that aren’t true is devastatingly dangerous, but affirming oneself based on the word of God, with accurate interpretation of His word, is *never* a wrong or dangerous thing
Thank you for this video. About time someone talked about this. It's a confusing situation. The enemy is sneaky trying to tell us we are ok without God. Love your videos. BLESSINGS- Pat
Thanks. Really helpful and I do very much agree with your so excellent self-analysis. Appreciate you getting the proper and well thought out information to people. Am a subscriber due to my belief in your intellect, character, and research oriented facts and truths. Congratulations to you indeed. Keep it up. Your friend, Matt;)
Thank you !perfect timing , an answered prayer really .
Thank you Melissa! When I heard these for the first time, I knew smt wasn't right.
I have seen a very subtle thing in Christianity of late--using actual spiritual truths such as our identity in Christ but focusing on who we are instead on who God is. For example, stating that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ but forgetting that it is to the praise of His glory (see Ephesians 1). To me it felt like the movie "Overcomer" did this, when the cross country runner came back after reading Ephesians 1 and 2 but did not focus on Christ dying on the cross for her sin but on who she now was in Christ. Perhaps I am being too picky, but this concerns me.
I have felt the same actually, even something good as who we are in Christ can be twisted to be a man centered doctrine
Its American narcissism where you and your desires are the center of your life instead of Christ and His purposes. Easy mindset to fall jnto
I watched this and very quickly realised I’m that other extreme. Often not accepting compliments, not wanting people to give me things. But those verses listed about what God really says we are is amazing! Those are true and need to remember that from time to time! Amen!
Good morning! (9am for me 😄) I’m a recent subscriber and just wanted to say how much I love your videos! Your JW videos have REALLY been helping me recently to talk to 2 people in my life that are JW. I love how much you talk about the New Age movement too! I work in a Pilates studio that offers yoga classes and our yoga instructor practices almost all of it! I want to talk to her about it more and show her how chakras and manifesting aren’t Godly but then that would put her (and probably me) out of a job. 😅😅 Anyway, thanks for all your hard work! ♥️♥️
Yeah I release my vod early sometimes 😆 I'm so glad that you're talking with them, praise God!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I appreciate how you “rightly divide the word of truth.”
Hi Melissa, I enjoy your channel.
My husband and I are pastors in Hawaii. You have help educate me on the New Aga and I have been able to reach more people.
It has also caused me to look at certain ministries for what they really are. I have had some deception fall off my own eyes .Thank you sis
God bless you and your family
Next deception to address: God very specifically and clearly prohibits female pastors. He is crystal clear about this. This isn’t one of those secondary issues; Rather, it’s a point He repeatedly makes. Far from being a cultural issue (people who insist on female pastors usually make up a position that Paul was addressing cultural issues), God removes all question about this by immediately bringing His prohibition back to Eve being deceived. I urge anyone who believes that females can be pastors to prayerfully re-read the New Testament with the specific intent of discovering God’s expectations in this regard.
This is one of the most balanced, biblical approaches to affirmation and self esteem I've heard in a long time.
I experienced exactly what you said about that strong yoke of believing I was manifesting everything that was in my life. I spent so much money I didn’t have attending workshops and classes, buying books, and applying the “prosperity principles” just trying to figure out what I was doing wrong to cause all of the bad things in my life. As a Christian (will never stop praising our Lord for pulling me out of that deception!), I struggled so much to communicate to my therapist that affirmations like you were describing are not helpful at all. I wonder if so many therapists are pushing affirmations because of subtle New Age influence…
Great video. Thanks Melissa!
I love this. Thank you for breaking this down I heard you say this in an interview and I was confused but now I get it. Instead of depending on ourselves we depend on God, but I love how you said being Good at knowing what your good at doesn’t make you prideful and acknowledging what you like about yourself in the mirror isn’t vanity because both of these things can be used to glorify God.
Praising God that he is using you to bring this issue to the light! I do struggle in my spirit when I hear someone teach that we should love ourselves and speak word of affirmation in the mirror 🪞!
I find myself having to listen to your videos several times because they are so full of amazing thoughts, perspective, and just plain truth!! I am so blessed to have found you and your videos. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me realize the true meaning of being a Christian and how to live through Jesus. But don't despair, if I'm not watching your videos I'm reading the Bible :) Love you Melissa!!
I am so glad the Lord lead me here. It fits in with every thing I am studying at the moment. As a chronically sick person, with an invisible illness, positive affirmation has caused me a great deal of condemnation from and within the church. God is currently teaching me to stand up for myself honestly and be more assertive when I cannot do things. People would say, I feel you should step out and do so and so and then your healing will manifest. All that manifested was exhaustion, frustration and condemnation. Thank you. X
I was just thinking of affirmations and what your thoughts would be so I came here hoping you’d made a video! Thank you for speaking on the topic. Even though I *could* use affirmations reminding me of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifices, they remind me too much of all the new age crap I participated in so I will avoid them all together. Praying & reading the word is what is best for me!
Affirmations are magic. The individual is basically conjuring up spirits. Also they are calling themselves god.Exodus 3:14
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”[a] And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
They're mocking God too. So for instance," I am positive.". They're saying, "I am god, I command myself to be positive. " You're supposed to go to him for the change. Not looking to the inside.
Wow! I never thought of it that way. Makes a lot of sense though!
@@michala8647 hey, she's got another that said all this new age stuff was founded by a witch. Just to bring it full circle to everyone else.
Wow. I love this comment. Wow, this really opened my eyes.
@@HipHopNerdHarryGusto New Age is NOT new. Jesus warned that the ways (occult practices) of old would be renewed in the end times with a vengeance
Obviously not a quote😁
I am becoming the best version of myself - for the Lord and it happens only because of the Lord 🙏 To me it seems like affirmations from the new age exclude God and focus only on the self. A Christian affirmation acknowledges submission to God’s will and that nothing happens without his hand in it. 😊 Love your content, very timely and thought provoking ❤️
Yup agree with this. Bassically changed im a light warrior to im a warrior of Christ
SpiritHighKoala1114 amen!
Good job tackling this topic Melissa 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I enjoyed it.
Thank you for this! Keep doing what you’re doing. I fell for this stuff too.
Thank you for this!!!! It was so hard to come out of the new age and these reminders are needed for followers of Christ :)
Thanks for doing what you're doing! It takes courage to do this.. keep it up
Exceptional! So glad I found your Channel!
I’m the first view!!! Whooo hooo!!! I learn so much from you!!!
This was well spoken and articulated. Thank you for explaining this so clearly. God bless your channel. New subbie.
I am glad you put some balance in this or counter argument. I did get caught up in this as a Christian. You know this is even in the business and real estate community? I appreciate your comments about it not being wrong to say nice things about yourself. After stepping away from this, I can look back on my mindset and think yeah, that was weird. It was about you being in control / trying to manipulate things rather than looking and praying to God. Can you do a video on shame vs. guilt and conviction vs. condemnation? I have struggled with shame and condemnation all my life which I believe is part of depression. It is a complex issue. What is going on in a Christian if we feel so much shame when we sin? Or should we? Feeling shame does not cleanse us from sin Jesus does. So shouldn't we go to God boldly before his throne to receive grace rather than feeling bad all the time? IDK Melissa, what do you think based on what the Bible says? Thanks
Mark DeJesus does a whole series on youtube on shame and condemnation. Please check it out. May Jesus continue to complete the good work He has begun in you via the Holy Spirit IJN.
@Jesus is My Greatest Friend This response is Priceless!
I was subscribed to a lot of youtubers that were new age. They were more of self help and personal growth channels that's why I was so interested. When they started talking about meditation, mindfulness, or even law of attraction stuff, I felt a bit uneasy. And even though I did try to practice these things, I never got myself to actually do them.i would set alarms in my phone to meditate and would never wake up. I would sleep through. I would resolve to call out affirmations everyday, but would always forget and somehow never got to actually doing it. And now I see why. In and of myself i had an understanding that i am nothing. Only in God and by believing in the finished work of Christ can I actually do and be anything. All things THROUGH Christ. I'm grateful for videos like yours that woke up my senses to these subtle new age things that are permeating social media. God bless you
Thank you for doing a video about this Melissa!
I truly loved this talk! Thank you
Hallelujah! This was so helpful. I have often asked myself, where is that line? And I have caught myself thinking positive things about myself and right away thinking, I am all of these things because of God’s endless and perfect mercy and grace not just because I am saying them out loud.
Thank You Father for confirming my desires to please You thru my sister Melissa. And thank you Melissa for being that willing vessel He wanted to use to let me know He hears me and knows the desires of my heart to be in His will. Blessings to you.
Love the way you do presentations! I am a new subscriber so enjoy getting to view your videos. Bless you!
Thank you for this video. When I was attending non-denominational charismatic churches (unofficially WOF), I was burdened with lots of these "affirmations." When I had problems with anxiety, I'd be discouraged from seeking medical attention and affirm to myself that I'm healed. Thankfully, the Lord opened my eyes.
Even if you cannot remember much from the Bible or are struggling to memorize the Bible all you can do is remember the verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Just saying that out loud helps. Also praying the Holy Spirit fills you up and works through you is important. There is a verse for everything.
An appropriate counter being to also avoid the "negative affirmations" as they are unbiblical too like "I can't do anything right" instead of "God give me wisdom to do this well. Or "there is nothing good about x,y,z" instead of "God has blessed us with x and given us grace to trust Him as we navigate y".
The goal must be to keep the power attributed to God while we are working for His glory. I deal with a lot of Debbie- Downers who correctly agree with the video that affirmations are wrong, but miss the counterpart of embracing the joy God gives us in trials and in blessings.
Thank you so much for sharing this Melissa!!
Very good video, and helpful for me. I have done a lot of affirmations in the past, they only gave me momentary relief. My brain never really bought the affirmations.
I have been wanting help with this for me and my kids because I don’t want to go against God if this is wrong. Can’t wait to watch
Your videos help me take a more honest look at my character, and my relationship with Christ; it really means the world to me. Thank you.
I wanted to express my appreciation for your clear, balanced and biblical perspective. This is good teaching!
Spot on! Thank you for putting all this in words. I've been a Christian my whole and tried all these constant affirmations and the law of attraction and even EFT. I tried these for as long as I could sustain them. The problem is they don't really work and that's why they are unsustainable.
I also have a background in new age. It left me empty and dissatisfied bc I will be running around in circles. Blaming myself because I wasn’t as successful as I thought I should be.
Now with Jesus I accept that I only have control about how I choose to feel. I allow myself to feel negative emotions but I find refuge in Christ. I had terrible anxiety and self doubt and self hate. I had to start changing my inner dialogue. I had to realize that facts about me are not my truths.
Yes I’ve committed sins , I’ve done bad things. I smoked weed, ate for gluttony, had terrible thoughts about others and myself. Those are facts but not my truths. The truth is I am loved by Jesus even if I’m terrible. I learned to root my confidence in Jesus rather than my evil deeds.
Loved this Melissa! Thank you!!!
Much needed message. Thanks, Melissa😇!
Wow! I have had trouble with this too. “Recognize who you are IN CHRIST.” Very helpful.