Positive thinking is the practice of focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations in order to achieve a desired outcome. The belief is that if you visualize and focus on positivity, you can change your circumstances through the power of your mindset. This concept has become popular in modern self-help and personal development teachings. But what does the Bible have to say about the power of positive thinking?
At its core, the Bible emphasizes faith in God rather than faith in oneself. Human beings have limited power to control circumstances through their thoughts alone. True power comes from God, not from positive thinking or any other technique (Jeremiah 10:23). However, the Bible does encourage an attitude of hope, joy and peace – which can be influenced by our thoughts and perspectives. So there may be some biblical basis for adopting a positive mindset, as long as we are relying on God rather than ourselves.
Here is an overview of some biblical perspectives on the power of thoughts, words, faith and hope:
The Power of Thoughts
– Our thoughts reflect the state of our heart and mind. Sinful thoughts can lead to sinful actions (Matthew 15:19). Therefore, we are instructed to focus our thoughts on what is noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8).
– Taking every thought captive to obey Christ keeps us from being conformed to the world’s ways (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our minds are transformed by the renewing of our thoughts, not positive thinking (Romans 12:2).
– God knows our every thought. Allowing Him to test our hearts and thoughts purifies them (Psalm 139:23). We cannot fool God with superficial positive thinking.
The Power of Words
– The tongue has power over life and death. We will eat the fruit of our words (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, we ought to speak words that build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29).
– Our words reflect what is in our hearts (Luke 6:45). Positive speech that does not come from a transformed heart is like meaningless noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).
– Our words and thoughts are closely linked. We are told to fix our thoughts on what is true and noble; our words will follow (Philippians 4:8).
The Power of Faith
– Faith pleases God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). While positive thinking relies on self, faith relies fully on God.
– Jesus repeatedly told people “Your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22). Our faith and trust in God’s power is vital. Positive thinking alone cannot heal or transform.
– When Jesus slept in the storm, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith (Matthew 8:23-27). With true faith, we can be calm rather than anxious (Philippians 4:6-7).
The Power of Hope
– Biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but confident expectation in God’s promises (Hebrews 11:1). This empowers us to persevere amid trials (Romans 5:3-5).
– Our hope is anchored in Christ within us (Colossians 1:27). We who hope in the Lord will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31). Our hope is not in positive thinking strategies.
– We are called to set our hope fully on the grace given when Jesus returns (1 Peter 1:13). This enables us to live holy lives, rather than being driven by thoughts.
Warnings about the Dangers of Positive Thinking
While hoping positively and thinking on uplifting things are good, some warnings about potential dangers of the positive thinking mindset can also be gleaned from Scripture:
– Pride – Trust in ourselves and our thoughts can lead to pride and arrogance. We start to take credit rather than acknowledging God (Daniel 4:30).
– Self-deceit – Focusing only on positive thoughts can blind us from seeing ourselves clearly. “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9).
– Wishful thinking – Positive thinking often crosses into wishing rather than truly believing. This is not the same as biblical faith.
– Blaming – If positive thinking “fails,” some start blaming themselves, thinking they did not visualize hard enough. This is unhealthy condemnation.
– Hedonism – Constant positivity with no thought for eternity can feed into a pleasure-driven, superficial lifestyle. We are to live with eternity in mind (Psalm 90:12).
– Complacency – Positive thinking can promote a passive approach to life. This contradicts teachings to be proactive in serving God and others.
– Self-sufficiency – The emphasis on self-healing and visualization of desires can promote pride in one’s ability to control life. But we are to rely fully on God.
– Isolation – Some positive thinking methods encourage tuning out negative people. But the Bible exhorts community, bearing one another’s burdens.
– Contradictions – Positive statements that directly contradict reality become lies, not faith. Such statements warp perspective over time.
– Magical thinking – Believing our thoughts somehow “attract” or miraculously cause desired outcomes leans toward New Age beliefs, not Christianity.
A Biblical Approach to Thinking Positively
The Bible does encourage hope, joy, optimism, peace, and other positive mindsets – if rooted in Christ:
– Take thoughts captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
– Meditate on God’s Word and noble thoughts (Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8).
– Replace lies with God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).
– Pray with gratitude and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).
– Set mind on things above, not earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
– Trust in the Lord and not your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
– Capture anxieties in prayer; exchange them for God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
– Renew your mind to align more closely with God’s will (Romans 12:2).
– Take negative thoughts to God in repentance and faith (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).
– Meditate on God’s promises, not your desires (Isaiah 26:3-4)
– Confess and repent of sinful thoughts and attitudes (1 John 1:9).
The key is that our thought patterns are transformed out of a life-changing relationship with Jesus – not mere positive thinking techniques. This allows room for grieving (Romans 12:15), lament (Psalm 13:1-2), sorrow (John 11:35), and even anger against injustice (Mark 11:15-17) – emotions that positive thinking often suppresses or avoids. Since we live in a fallen world, denying negative emotions can be unhealthy and disconnected from reality.
Additionally, a biblical mindset is rooted in eternity. We are not dependent on circumstances in this fleeting life, but have an inheritance that is imperishable (1 Peter 1:3-4). So we can rejoice even in sufferings and trials (James 1:2-4). Our hope is built on Christ, not shifting emotions or wishful thinking.
False Hope, True Hope
There can be a fine line between biblical hope and false hope. Examples of false hope include:
– Name it, claim it theology – the belief we can “claim” or demand things from God like health and wealth by speaking positively.
– Word of Faith movement – the belief our words have power to “create” reality. While our words do have power, only God truly creates reality.
– Prosperity gospel – the belief God’s will is for all believers to be materially wealthy and physically healthy in this life. Suffering is seen as lack of faith.
– Visualization – the belief that visualizing desired outcomes causes them to happen or even manipulates God’s will. This undermines God’s sovereignty.
– Law of Attraction – the belief that positive thoughts “attract” the things we desire. This treats God like a force or energy to be manipulated.
– Self-healing claims – the belief that we can think ourselves into being healed of diseases. But only God heals miraculously. We obey doctors.
– Positive confession – the belief that proclaiming positive “truths” aloud makes them reality. But truth aligns with God’s Word, not our decrees.
In contrast to false hope, biblical hope:
– Is based on God’s character and promises, not wishes or circumstances (Hebrews 6:19).
– Anchors our soul when facing trials; it is not dependent on outcomes (Hebrews 6:19).
– Is living and enduring because its object is eternal life (1 Peter 1:3).
– Leads to righteous living and purity, not selfishness (1 John 3:3).
– Believes God is able to do more than we ask or imagine within His will (Ephesians 3:20).
– Brings joy and peace as we trust in God’s plan (Romans 15:13).
Does Positive Thinking Work?
The Bible warns against vanity, magical thinking, and belief in our own power to control circumstances. While positive emotions are encouraged, the mindset of positive thinking can easily cross into unbiblical territory. Wishful thinking or demanding outcomes because we decreed them with our words reflects pride and lack of faith in God’s sovereign will.
However, God does reward persistence, faith, and righteous living. So in some cases, positive thinking might appear to “work” when people achieve goals through hard work, wise planning, persistence and God’s blessing. But the thinking itself did not magically produce the results. Proverbs 16:3 instructs, “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” So we make plans and work hard, but ultimately trust God with the outcomes.
Positive thinking often treats God as a force or energy that we can tap into or manipulate with our minds. But God is a personal, sovereign, all-powerful being. His ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Positive thinking can lead us to rely on ourselves rather than humbly praying for God’s will to be done.
So does positive thinking work? Sometimes, but not for the mystical reasons taught. Responding to life’s challenges with hope, courage, and tenacity is wise. But we anchor our soul in God’s unfailing love, not positive thinking.
In summary, a biblical perspective on positive thinking would:
– Acknowledge God’s power and human limitation
– Anchor thoughts and words in scriptural truth
– Focus on developing Christlike character
– Emphasize trusting God, not techniques
– Allow space for lament and sorrow
– Avoid “claiming” or demanding outcomes from God
– Reject teachings that “visualize” or “declare” things into being
– Distinguish between biblical hope and wishful thinking
– Lead to humility, repentance and dependence on God
– Offer peace and joy not based in circumstances
The mind is a precious gift from God that we are called to steward well. But the Bible consistently directs us to find hope in relationship with the Lord – not simply positive thinking or attitude. We are transformed not by repeating positive slogans, but by renewing our minds through God’s truth. Living with eternity in mind frees us from dependence on fleeting circumstances today. As we meditate on God’s word, pray continually, worship in Spirit and in truth, and abide in Christ, our thoughts become more naturally saturated in His peace and hope.