As I sought the Lord on this whole issue of 'positive thinking' this is what He put on my heart:
"Your thoughts do not attract or direct destiny, your prayers do There is a great push now, from the enemy, to think, talk and speak 'positive' as you have realized….putting the emphasis back on man, not on God" (That would requires me to be righteous…..the original sin of dependency on man rather than dependency upon God.) "Thoughts and actions empower the enemy or connect with Me (God). Then it is MY power not yours that directs energy, establishes the Kingdom, to rule the world. As long as man can direct his own path, he will not see or feel any need for ME. The devil thrives on it. The 'law of attraction' has just enough truth to be delicious."
Here some wonderful verses to consider:
"…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" and "For by thy words thou shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned." All from Matthew 12:31-37 Please read the whole section for greater insight.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
We quote these scriptures often, putting great emphasis on what we say, what we quote. When Jesus was confronted by the Devil in the wilderness, Jesus said, "It is written…." Jesus knew there is 'spirit and life' in the words of God (John 6;63). Jesus had the Holy Spirit and knew 'what He spoke' had the power of God behind the spoken word.
When we quote scripture verses, we are acknowledging the power of God, resident in us because when we are part of Jesus, He is in us and we are in Him.
THE DANGER, THE EVIL LIES IN, THE PERVERSION OF WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM.
Some times it is difficult to connect the dots, so to speak. The quotes of Jesus I have listed make us think we should always speak good, positive things, especially quoting Him. However, Jesus did not do that. Jesus was frustrated at His followers and said, "Oh faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?" (Luke 9:41) And that was to His disciples. Several times Jesus uses the term, "Oh you of little faith." Then angered at the Pharisees (Matthew 23) tells them off royally. Didn't Jesus remember what He, Himself has said?
Speaking the 'truth' of a situation is not always negative. If you tell people you are fine and inside you are hurting and full of pain, is that faith or causing us to be double minded. The more we talk about something the bigger the problem gets, so we need to be careful who we tell and ask them for prayer.
David complained in the Psalms about all his troubles and his enemies; and always turned to God for the victory. Paul says in his writ tings, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:" (2 Cor 1:8) Yet Paul declared often of victory, overcoming in Christ and that nothing could every separate us from the love of God.
I have found this last year when my body screamed with inflammation or pain, my spirit was at rest. My relationship with Jesus has been wonderful and blessed, even though I am still standing in faith for complete healing. It was a first for me in 31 years with the Lord where my spirit and body were not in agreement. What a joy to know, as Paul, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
When we are discouraged, sick, or feeling lost….we need more of Jesus, more of Him in loving worship and yes, standing on Scripture verses that 'speak' to our situation. As we draw close to Him in thought and prayer, He draws close to us, as we remember….
OUR WORDS ARE EITHER IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD, HIS POWER, HIS ENERGY OR WE GIVE THE DEVIL AND HIS DEMONS POWER WITH OUR WORDS. THAT IS WHAT ADAM AND EVE DID WITH THEIR 'AGREEMENT' AND THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH….THE ENEMY IS STILL THE DECEIVER!
Faith is the supernatural manifestation of what we choose to believe….our circumstance or the power of God!
"Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world; I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me; In Him I live, move and have my being." (I John 4:4; Phil 4:13; Acts 17:28)
"for without me (Jesus) you can do nothing." (John 15:5c)
Finally, I understand what Jesus meant in that verse, He gives us the power (Matt 28; Mark 16; Luke 10:19; John 20:23) but without Him there is no power!
As we thank Him for all things, we get the blessings and He gets the Glory!
Pressing in and pressing on….