QUESTION: "IS THERE ANY POWER IN POSITIVE THINKING?"

Answer: One definition for positive thinking is “the act of reviewing thought processes and the actions they engender, in order to identify areas that need improvement, and then using the appropriate tools to change those thoughts or actions in a positive, goal-oriented way.” While it seems relatively harmless, the problem comes in believing that there is some kind of supernatural power in positive thinking. In this age of the prosperity gospel, there are many false doctrines confusing believers and unbelievers alike. These false doctrines are always the same—human ideas with different titles masquerading as truth. One such notion is the power of positive thinking.

The idea of the power of positive thinking in recent decades was popularized by Dr. Norman Peale with his book The Power of Positive Thinking (1952). The theory claims that people can change future outcomes and events by “thinking” them into existence. Dr. Peale used flawed religious concepts as well as subjective psychological theories to promote a false version of faith and hope. The theory is part of the “self-help” movement whereby a person tries to create his own reality with human efforts. But reality is truth and the truth is found in the Bible. People cannot create their own reality by fantasizing or trying to think it into existence. Thus, Dr. Peale’s theory is flawed because he does not base his theory on truth.

Proponents of positive thinking claim their research supports the validity of the theory. However, the body of data is widely debated. Some of the actual findings suggest there is a positive correlation between a positive outlook and performance, but this is a far cry from positive thoughts creating an outcome. This research suggests that people who have positive attitudes tend to have higher self-esteem and better experiences when compared to people who have pessimistic outlooks. On the other hand, like Dr. Peale’s book, there is no substantiated evidence to support that thoughts can control outcomes.

What science cannot answer, the Bible can and does answer. Unfortunately, the Bible says that man cannot be “good” on his own (Isaiah 64:6). The only “good” in us is Jesus and only when a person accepts Him as Savior (Ephesians 2:1-5). Trying to impress men or God through our works is hopeless because without Christ we can do nothing righteous (John 15:5; Romans 8:7-8). Once the Holy Spirit comes into the heart of the believer, He begins our sanctification process. Sanctification is the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to make us like Jesus. Only with the Holy Spirit’s power can a human say no to their sinful flesh. Even so, it is not we who are able to perform good deeds, but Christ through us. We are like a glove and He is the hand. Jesus works in and through us to do His will.

So if we want to better ourselves and make positive changes, we do not attempt to think more positively. True spirituality will always start and end with our relationship to Christ. Furthermore, effort is the key to changing one’s life, not thoughts alone. Choosing a Christ-like attitude and having an obedient spirit is as positive as man can be.

Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

---

Related Topics:

Is the Word of Faith movement biblical?

What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?

What is nouthetic counseling?

How should a Christian view Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

What is the value of pastoral counseling?

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/power-positive-thinking.html#ixzz2bhGJPsj6