19/12/2025
Point Blank Series: THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF CONFESSION
Prov18:20-21 : "With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" NASB
This text supports the idea that our words have significant, real-world consequences and that we are responsible for those outcomes, BUT IT DOES NOT SUPPORT a concept of magically "shaping reality" or "dictating outcomes" in the modern "manifestation" sense.
The biblical concepts expressed by the words "confess" and "confession" have in common the IDEA of an ACKNOWLEDGMENT of something.
This is the root idea of the two verbs that lie behind the great majority of occurrences of the words "confess" and "confession" in the English Bible:
Hebrew yadaa [h'd"y] (in the hiphil root) and Greek homologeo [oJmologevw].
English versions such as the NIV therefore sometimes translate these verbs as "acknowledge."
From this common root emerge two distinct theological senses:
1. The acknowledging or confessing of faith (in God, Christ, or a particular doctrine)
2. The acknowledging or confessing of sins before God.
Within mainstream, historic Christian theology, the biblical concept of confession primarily relates to acknowledging sin for the purpose of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and spiritual growth.
It is generally NOT understood as a MAGICAL TOOL for literally shaping physical reality or dictating material outcomes in a "name it and claim it" sense.
While confessing the word of God has powerful psychological and spiritual effects (peace, renewed purpose, strength in adversity), it is an act of SUBMITTING to God's sovereign will, NOT an act of human will to control or force God to grant specific outcomes.
The "Positive Confession" or Word of Faith View
A different understanding exists within the Word of Faith movement (also known as the Prosperity Gospel), which teaches that positive confession does shape reality and dictate outcomes. Key elements of this view include:
1. Faith as a Force: Faith is treated as a spiritual force that believers can use, through spoken words, to manifest physical health, financial wealth, and success.
2. Speaking Things into Existence: Adherents teach that because humans are made in God's image, they can use their words like God used His word in creation (Hebrews 11:3).
3. "You Can Have What You Say": This philosophy suggests that the outcome of a person's life is determined solely by their words and that negative confessions will bring negative results.
This perspective is widely seen as a HERETICAL DISTORTION of biblical doctrines by historic Christian orthodoxy, as it shifts the FOCUS from GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY to HUMAN ABILITY and often neglects biblical teachings on suffering and contentment.
• God gave Moses instruction to part the red sea
• God told Moses to speak to the rock to bring out water, Moses was not presumptuous.
• God told the Jews to walk round the wall of Jericho
Summary
The biblical concept of confession is fundamentally about aligning one's inner and outer self with God's truth and will, which results in spiritual transformation and healing.
The idea that it is a MECHANISM for INDEPENDENTLY SHAPING PHYSICAL REALITY or DICTATING OUTCOMES is specific to certain NON- ORTHODOX theological movements and NOT the mainstream biblical interpretation.
WHAT POSITIVE SELF TALK DOES TO US
1. Boosts confidence
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
3. Improves mental health - mindset and attitudes
4. Enhances resilience
5. Increases motivation - behavior and decisions
6. Increases productivity
7. Rewire our brains, helping us focus on strengths and opportunities rather than weaknesses and threats.
However, it doesn't guarantee specific outcomes or dictate reality.
Outcomes depend on various factors, including God, circumstances, actions, and external influences.
