Positive Gibberish - James 4:15

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” - James 4:15

    If you do any communicating on the social media I’m sure you have encountered something like this uncountable times: some computer enhanced photograph of a butterfly with iridescent wings and an elegantly written message overlaid upon the photo saying, “I am a good person.” Aside form being just one of thousands of inane ramblings the example represents what is known a as “positive affirmation.” Seems innocent enough . . . doesn’t it? But once again - the devil is in the details!
    The notion goes something like this: never utter anything negative and nothing negative can ever come into your life. Always think and speak positive thoughts and your life will always be positive . . ad nauseam.
    From a purely human point of view people who adhere to such nonsense are not only annoying but truly difficult to interact with in an adult manner. For example, they say “We don’t dwell on negative things.” The truth is - they never even consider the negative side of life . . . at least not openly, so a serious adult-oriented conversation is out of the question. They prefer to avoid conflict rather than to take a position and defend it. Their condescension usually precedes them into the room. And if, God forbid, you hold a different opinion than they do they will give you the impression they are merely tolerating your presence. Sound like anyone you know?
    Here’s the primary problem with these “New Age Thinkers” - and that’s what they are - these folks are the very ones who most often choose a “designer god” that they find appeals to them the most! “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.”  -  Exodus 20:2-3. In addition to being a New Age product these positive affirmations are spiritually crippling and lead to more desperation when the desired results fail to materialize. Of course, the proponents of this satanic nonsense from Phineas Quimby and Mary Baker Eddy at the turn of the 20th Century to the modern Word Faith Movement - Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn - all subscribe to the erroneous notion that you can “speak” prosperity and health into your life.  The concept is also known as “The Law of Attraction” and has been spuriously promoted through people like Rhonda Byrne and her book, “The Secret”. From positive mental attitudes to mantra-like mindless repetitions, people are lured away from the only real source of truth and contentment: Jesus Christ.
    Those of us who believe in God’s Word know that regardless of our circumstances the will of God for us will triumph. “ . . . in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18. And why, as believing Christians would we not want God’s will to supercede our own worldly desires? Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6:10.
    A young acquaintance of mine posted a “positive affirmation” by none other than Joyce Meyer the other day. I responded by suggesting that she pay a bit more attention to the belief systems of those she esteemed worthy of quoting: we are no longer “friends.”
     For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13. May we always place our trust in God to see to our needs. Pray and accept that His will for us is part of His plan and His plan will not be thwarted regardless of any “affirmation” - positive or otherwise.