Can Christians Use Affirmations?

Affirmations as a Christian prohibited?

Before we actually dive into this topic if Christians can use affirmations, as I do with all my other blogs. We need to first question why you believe or not believe christians can use affirmations. These questions will bring important answers, because it will make room for the roots of why you need me to guide you into answering this question, or what part you want confirmation or counsel on. If you believe christians cannot use affirmations or affiliate affirmations with manifestations I must state that you have the wrong definition of affirmations. 

If, however, you believe affirmations are used by christians and are appropriate I must ask, why would you believe that. Is it your personal belief or a belief you can confidently support with scripture. Regardless of your answer, it is important to understand what you believe prior to reading the rest of this blog to better comprehend where you stand, and where Yeshua stands, and how you can healthy make a connection between yourself and Yahweh. 

"Why would you believe that?"

In this blog I will add scriptures, personal belief, then scientific standpoint because I believe that science, although the word is not created by Yahweh, is something that Yahweh made when forming life. Then I will share a list of affirmations you can use in your life. 

I will begin by supplying this verse that is widely utilized, and one you perhaps heard or read of: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14 NKJV). This is one out of thousands of verses in the scripture that gives an affirmation that begins with “I AM”. 

Now if we go deeper into if Christians can use affirmations, let’s look into the definition of what an affirmation is. According to Cambridge in the english definitions there are four definitions of what an affirmation is which are: 

•  A statement or sign that something is true 

• The act of saying yes or showing that you mean yes 

• Support or Approval 

• a phrase about something you want to achieve that you repeat aloud, in your head, or in writing, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen, or the act of repeating such phrases:

What I pull from these definitions is that affirmations are confirming what is true. And if that is the definition of affirmations, then affirmations are all in scripture. If you don’t agree with that, anytime you can affirm that the sky is blue in the morning and dark navy blue in the night. Or you can affirm that you think apples are good for your health, if another person affirms that apples are a factor to poor health, then I would state that person was not telling you an affirmation, but a lie.  Affirmations are solely the truth of something, or showing that you agree to something. Therefore, affirmations are only affirmations if it applies to truth, and not anything other than it. 

Where I believe people get confused is the difference between manifesting and affirmations. According to Psychology Today “Manifesting is the idea that, through the power of belief, we can effectively "think" a goal into becoming reality. It's a form of "magical thinking," or the need to believe that one’s hopes and desires can have an effect on how the world turns.” and this brings the distinction between Affirmations and Manifesting. If you don't know what the difference is, let's dissect  both definitions. 

Affirmations are confirming something that is already true, while manifesting is something that is not already true and believing you have the power to materialize what you are meditating on. 

"Affirmations are confirming something that is already true"

“31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31 NKJV) In context of this verse, God was explaining to the Israelites on his commandments and “statues” which he expected his people to regard to be set apart. In John 15:5 Jesus tells us that we can do nothing apart from him, and if we understand that Jesus is already living within us from the day we were born to the day we will die. We can do anything because with Christ within us anything is possible. Therefore to say that one can manifest on their own power is false, though there have been testimonies of plenty who claim to have manifested. I would respond to that and say that is not of Yahweh of the Bible, when we know we can do nothing apart from him. 

When we are affirming something that is of the truth we are coming into alignment with the purity and goodness of Yahweh’s words written and not written in the Bible (which is already within us). Such as “I am fearful and wonderfully made” Psalm 139, or that “I am beautiful”, “I can do it.”, “I am already where I want to be.” Mark 11:24 and Hebrews 11:6, while plenty of other verses emphasis receiving from a faithful God. It is important to believe the truth of Yahweh’s words when he tells you that “This too shall come to pass” because in scripture it says faith can move mountains.” (If you would like me to go further on affirmations in the Bible let me know, and how to not give into those doubtful thoughts and be aligned with the truth!)

Furthermore, affirmations are all over scripture, to “4 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” (Exodus 3:14 NKJV)  & “Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” (Isaiah 41:10 CEV).

In the first verse from what I believe due to Moses stutter Moses was feeling insecure in his abilities to do Yahweh’s work to liberate his people from Pharaoh, (Exodus 4) therefore, Yahweh told Moses that he was the “I AM” and claimed that to be his name. Then in the second verse God affirmed that he would be with Jacob and the Israelites. 

When I was mentoring this young lady at my college, our conversations were usually informal and casual while uplifting one another. I would provide encouragement to her, and she told me something that stuck with me. She says “I believe when we say “I AM” and then add something negative, we are actually using God's name in a way he never intended us to use it.”  and that gave me a revelation of how just and sovereign our God truly is.

He knew that people would think negatively about themselves, and he deliberately stated that his name is “I AM” not “I AM WHO SENT YOU” but his name is “I AM”. Therefore when you say “I am” and you add a statement that is opposing to who God says he is in the Bible, you are lying not only to yourself but you are lying to the God who resides within you. 

This may be a bit controversial, however. I believe that due to how God resides in us and he makes it clear that his name is “I AM” emphasizes the point that the truth of who you are lives within all things that are beautiful, bold, majestic and lovely, and anything outside who you are according to OLAM, and who he claims to be is false, and is from the “Father of Lies”. For if God is the God of truth and he has already spoken only good, lovely and pure things over your life, then not only should you believe it but your life should reflect such.

And what I mean by reflecting is, you live a life that reflects the truth of God's words within you, being lovely, being bold, being good. And all of this is not by our own strength for we are strong when we are weak. 

Moreover, there is a way to abuse affirmations, and I believe one could abuse thereof, when they hand the power over to themselves and not to the all powerful God who lives within them. Trusting, surrendering that all things will work out for those who trust and love him (Romans 8:28). 

And I believe people misunderstand the God within them when they don't understand all of who he is. He is not just a God but has numerous other labels that define who he is. Such as but not limited to, Olam: everlasting or eternal, Olam also means world or universe which describes Yahweh. And then Qanna which means jealous. These two Hebrew words depict the God of the Bible. When people don’t know who God is in the Bible, they misrepresent and we approach him in a way which he is not. If God’s name is also world and universe, eternal and everlasting, and the Bible claims that he lives within us, then we can have full assurance that all those things which describe God dwell within us, and therefore we can affirm these truths to us, and all around us. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

Now let’s look at this in a scientific perspective according to National Institutes of Health, positive affirmations “attributed to their ability to broaden a person’s overall perspective and reduce the effect of negative emotions” and it gives the person a high sense of self-worth which is exactly how one should feel about themselves for a man to have died for them. 

“Research has shown that affirmations can activate the brain’s reward centers, leading to increased feelings of self-worth and motivation.” (WellSpringPrevention) When speaking affirmations over your life you are not simply spurring knowledge but you are making a bodily change in your brain. Studies have shown that the more you speak truthful affirmations (I would like to say according to the Bible, those things which are true, pure and good) you send a signal to your brain that activates the prefrontal cortex which stores your emotions and this part of your brain is located in the front lobe section of your brain and plays apart in the  “direct motor, cognitive, affective, and social behavior across time” therefore this part of your brain also plays a role in your impulsivity, decision making and memory. If we understand how important our prefrontal cortex is we understand that it is important to take care of yourself, because your decisions and memory matters. Take care of yourself just as you would any other person you love, and that doesn't denote solely physically taking care of yourself, but emotionally and mentally.

At times we can dumb-down the importance of actually speaking the truth over our lives. We may refer to it as “ridiculous” or “unimportant” to your current situation because life goes on. However, I am here to tell you that the words you speak do have an impact on yourself both physically and mentally. “self-affirmation activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, an area associated with self-related processing and valuation. This activation helps individuals focus on sources of positive value, thereby enhancing their self-worth and resilience.” (WellSpringPrevention). Your resilience is directly tied to how you view yourself and speak to yourself. And if you find yourself subconsciously speaking doubt into your mind, you can and will overcome it. Because you were destined for great things, and that old way of thinking cannot come with you. 

Don’t worry! One of the reasons JaylawithJesus is made is to remind you how much your progress and mind matters. JaylwithJesus has also struggled with subconscious self-doubt and now I will share with you some words and verses I speak and am speaking over my life: 

What I find helpful is believing wholeheartedly that I am meant for greatness because Yahweh lives within me. I’ve been using “I am I feel I do I love I speak I see I understand” while speaking what Yahweh says over me, and you can do the same. (Side note, what helps with believing this, is knowing that I have all the power and authority to cast out demons, and the simple fact that Olam lives within each of us. Especially you).

“I am peace, I feel peace, I see peace.” 

“I am loved, I feel loved, and I see love.” 

“I am safe, I feel safe, and I see safety all around me.” 

“Even if I doubt, great things will still come my way.” 

“Every tongue spoken against me shall be condemned and not prosper.” 

“I already have the victory, I have already made it.”

These are not manifesting but seeing and believing what is already true, and finally coming loose over the tongue, or words that you may have or others may have spoken over your life. If you do not believe me, here are a few verses that you can speak over yourself. 

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 New King James Version

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10 New King James Version 

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Referring to believing the things Christ believed) 

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (referring to Yeshua in man form not seeing his humanity as a blockage to being one with God). Philippians 2:5-6 King James Version

21 Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21 New King James Version (referring to the things of the Kingdom of Heaven is already within you, because you embody the same form Christ did).

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” John 21:5 New King James Version

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version 

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12  In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. Psalms 91:11-12 New King James Version (Backing up verses: Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7; Matthew 26:53). 

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

In conclusion, using affirmations are confirming the truth in your life and can overall result in a more rich and promising life, and are not demonic in ways some churches claim them to be. You will have to make a distinction between manifesting and affirmations. Where I believe the church legalizes affirmation is where the person believes they can achieve these on their own power, when in reality it is the faith that you already have what Yahweh promises you, and that all things truly does work out for good for those who love Yahweh, which is not to say you can’t question, or express your emotions to him as you do to a friend. The difference is that unlike your friend Yahweh can actually change your life. And has the ability to take away and to give. 

I believe Manifestings also goes deeper into karma and the ideology of a soulmate, I can do a separate blog if you are interested. However, unlike Karama, and Soulmates, I believe that there is a spiritual realm that aligns everything according to its significant plan, which some people refer to as the universe, and I believe it is, because that is one of the names of Yahweh, which is Olam. He goes outside space and time itself, and does bring justice down onto this world. Going back to our topic, affirmations are a positive contributor to your life as a christian.  Should a christian use affirmations? The answer is absolutely.

Bibliography:

Cascio, Christopher N, et al. “Self-Affirmation Activates Brain Systems Associated with Self-Related Processing and Reward and Is Reinforced by Future Orientation.” Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2016, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4814782/.     

“Experience and the Developing Prefrontal Cortex | PNAS.” What Is the Frontal Cortex?, www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1121251109. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Sean, Peek. “The Benefits of Positive Affirmations - Wellspring.” Wellspring Center for Prevention, 23 July 2024, wellspringprevention.org/blog/the-benefits-of-positive-affirmations/.  

What are your thoughts :)?