Standing Firm

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. [1 Corinthians 16:13]

Biblical TeachingsPodcast EpisodeYou Are Who God Says You Are

Beware Of Positive Thinking

Cathy

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. [James 3:2]

QUOTE: Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think (Benjamin Disraeli).

I’D LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING.

My intention and purpose of this book is to make the distinct difference between “positive thinking” and “What God Says About You and Stellar Thinking.”  It can be easy to believe in the power of positive thinking because of what the Bible says about how we should think. Also, because there is great power in our thoughts, however, it’s HOW we choose to use our thoughts that is the key.

I have read several positive thinking books such as: Think and Grow Rich, Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do, Life is not Fair but God is Good, Science of Getting Rich, Power of Positive Thinking, Positive Thinking Every Day, and many more. To be honest, I cannot believe I’m saying beware of positive thinking; but, okay, I’m saying beware of positive thinking. There is a difference between positive thinking and thinking how God thinks.

These positive thinking teachings are from famous and sought-after authors such as Norman Vincent Peale, Wallace D. Wattles, Robert Schuller, Earl Nightingale, and Napoleon Hill. These principles have helped millions of people, created unstoppable businesses, and have also made many people very wealthy. All these teachings are life-changing and powerful; however, there is a very fine line that can be crossed. There is a thinking that permeates throughout these teachings that is not in alignment with how God wants us to think.

This form of thinking came from an American “New Thought” writer, teacher, and leader. He was the founder of a spiritual movement known as “Religious Science,” part of the greater “New Thought” movement, whose spiritual philosophy is known as “The Science of Mind.” Positive thinking is basically a form of thinking that appeals to the flesh, is self-promoting, is a selfie picture that is out of focus, and thinking that doesn’t lean on the understanding that we need God.

The premise of “positive thinking” is based on the concept that we can “think” ourselves into something using positive self-talk, have faith in ourselves, visualize ourselves where we want to be, and it will become a reality. If any negative thoughts are entertained, then this is what brings about the bad things in our lives. I was immersed in this type of thinking and that is partly why I was so devastated when the biscuits hit the fan, because I believed I had thought myself into destruction.

One thing to remember is that the enemy was kicked out of heaven because he wanted to be God. The enemy became so impressed with his own beauty, intelligence, power, and position that he began to desire the honor and glory that belongs to God alone. Yes, we are made in the image of God and yes, we want to strive to have a mind of God, but we are not God. The positive thinking concept almost makes us believe that we ARE a mini-god.

The hard truth that I found out is that I can NOT control my life based solely on my thinking. But I can control HOW and WHAT I think. I cannot always control the circumstances around me, but I can choose how I think about myself and learn lessons along the way. I can NOT “positively think” my way into having a great business. I can, however, choose an attitude of integrity, serve others to the best of my ability, and allow God to make my business flourish.

Trust me, not having control over everything is something I had to work on for years. But once I realized, that giving my entire life to God is not losing control, but it’s giving control to someone who is way more qualified to run my life than I am!! By doing this life is more peaceful and less stressful, when I let go of control and let God guide me through my decisions and actions.

So, within your studies of the mind and journey of learning Stellar Thinking, please use discernment and the other tools talked about in this book. There are two simple ways to use that discernment:

  1. Is what we are thinking based on biblical principles?
  2. Do our thoughts honor God?

BEWARE OF POSITIVE THINKING: Please be aware that this type of teaching has run amuck in our society, in our churches, and in the business world. It has so much infiltrated every aspect of our lives that it can be challenging to discern what is right and what is crossing the other side of the line. This is exactly how the enemy sneaks into lives, smelling good, feeling good, and looking good! Be on guard, be aware, and stay vigilant! KNOW WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.

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DAILY ACTION STEP
Say to yourself out loud
I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM
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FRIENDLY REMINDER: take out your journal and write down your thoughts, takeaways, and progress for this week!

TAKEAWAY GEMS

  • Be careful of the new age, self-centered teachings on thinking.
  • Be sure your thoughts honor God.
  • We are NOT a mini-god.
  • Always be sure that whatever you study or think or make your affirmation aligns with the Word of God

QUESTIONS TO “THINK ON”

  1. What have you tried to think your way into?
  2. What are your thoughts about positive thinking?
  3. What is something valuable you learned through my mistakes?

ACTION STEP: GOD SAID: Affirmations are also a way of reprogramming your thinking. When you say something to yourself over and over again, you start to believe it. Choose scriptures and make them your “God Said” daily affirmations. Say this verse out loud over and over yourself!

DAILY SCRIPTURES

DAY 1: Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. [Ezekiel 28:17]

DAY 2: Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. [James 3:2]

DAY 3: Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, why do you question this in your hearts? [Mark 2:8] 

DAY 4: The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. [Proverbs 10:31]

DAY 5: A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered [Proverbs 17:27]

DAY 6: And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. [Romans 8:2]

DAY 7: Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.  Stay away from every kind of evil [1 Thessalonians 5:20-22]

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