Why a Positive Confession Matters
Words have power. They can hurt and they can bless. But the power of words reaches much further than the impact they make on our emotions. Our words have supernatural power—power that changes circumstances and shapes destinies.
In fact, it is our unique ability to choose and speak words that distinguishes man from the rest of God’s creation.
Man is created in God’s image and it was not just thoughts but words that God used to create us and the universe in which we live. When He said, “Light be,” light was.
Words are the way God works. Hebrews 11:3 describes this operating principle of creation this way: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Words are spiritual; they carry power. Proverbs 12:14 tells us that we shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of our mouths.
This process begins with salvation. The lost man does this when he declares Jesus Lord of his life: “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8-10).
Confession is not denying physical facts and temporary circumstances. It is declaring what God, who never changes, has said about the outcome and standing in faith until all temporary conditions line up with His eternal declaration.
Confession is a vital part of our spiritual growth as a believer. Jesus indicated this in describing the importance of speaking His Father’s words and not His own: “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. …If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:28, 31). In answering the question how He would manifest Himself to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus replied: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. …The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24).
Israel’s King David understood this. He brought his soul—his mind, will and emotions—in line with God’s Word by speaking to it: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2).
Confession of the Word of God isn’t lying. We are not trying to get God to do anything. Those benefits God has given us in His Word are ours already and Satan is trying to steal them!
The process of believing and speaking is what brings every benefit of our salvation promised in God’s Word from heaven into our lives. To tell someone you are healed because the Bible says “by His stripes you were healed” is speaking the truth. Jesus has already redeemed you from the curse of the law (Deuteronomy 28; Galatians 3:13).
Words reveal what we truly believe. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh…. By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:34, 37). That is why it is so important to say what God has said. Do this not so others can hear you, but so your soul will receive instruction what to believe and agree with instead of the symptoms in your body, situations in your life and fear-based thinking and talking you hear from others around you.
How do we give glory to God? By honouring the words He has spoken and demonstrating our trust in Him. Our first step of acting on our faith in His Word is to agree with and say the thing He has said.
Keeping Jesus’ words means more than just doing what He said. It also means living as He lived. He lived never saying or doing anything He did not first hear the Father say or see the Father do. As His disciples, our words should be in complete agreement with what the Father has spoken concerning us. When we speak His words in faith, they have the same power to change our circumstances as when He spoke Creation into being.
Jesus’ ministry to us today includes His position as High Priest of our profession, or confession (Hebrews 3:1). To profess means to “say the same thing.” When we say only what God has said, His words have the same power spoken in faith out of our lips as they did when He originally spoke them. Jesus, as our High Priest, makes sure those words the Father has spoken come to pass in our lives. That is why we are instructed in Hebrews to “hold fast the profession [confession] of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” (10:23; see also 4:14).
Here are five basic confessions for you to use so you can enjoy all God has for you:
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Jesus Is My Lord.
Philippians 2:9-11
“I confess the complete lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord over all and He has given me authority. As I confess Him, His Word and His Name, and resist Satan in His Name, Satan must bow his knee.”
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I Do Not Have a Care.
1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 37:23-24
“I cast all my care on Jesus because He cares for me. He upholds me as He guides my steps.”
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I Do Not Want.
Psalm 23:1; Philippians 4:19
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. For my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
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I Am Free From Sin, Sickness, Sorrow, Grief and Fear.
Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24
“Every sin, sickness, disease, sorrow and grief was laid on Jesus so that I could be free from them. Therefore, today I am forgiven, healed, healthy and well. I live in divine health.”
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Jesus Is Made Unto Me Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:10
“I confess that Jesus is my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Only in Him am I entirely complete.”
Continue to change your circumstances by filling your heart with the Word of God. Confess these truths and other scriptures so that the words that come out of your mouth are life-changing words. Let your word be God’s Word!