I I
Victorious life consists of confession from beginning to end, it is imperative, therefore, that we guard our words and form the habit of always making a positive confession.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”
PROVERBS 18:21
Your condition will always parallel your confession.If you think you will fail–you will.If you say you can t–you can t.If you confess you are sick–you will.
If you confess defeat–you will be defeated.
The medical authorities tell us today that most physical illness is psychosomatic; that is, it results from wrong thinking, worry and emotional stress.
Our confession is, in the final analysis, merely the vocal expression of what we think and believe.
To attain a victorious life, we must not merely believe only, but also must confess it.
“For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom.10:10)
The importance and necessity of confession is evident here, for as Jesus informs us in Matthew 10:32-33, salvation involves confession as well as belief.
We are admonished twice in the Book of Hebrews to “hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering”(10:23, 35-36), and Jesus teaches us in Mark 11:23 that whatsoever we confess shall come to pass.
Just as a positive confession in harmony with God’s Word will bring blessing and victory, conversely a negative confession of doubt,fear,sickness,or defeat will result in
adversity and failure, for the Scriptures declare that you can be “snared with the words of your mouth” (Prov.6:2).
“I surely hate the thought of going to the office today. This is the day the auditors are coming, and I invariably end the day with a splitting headache after such an ordeal.”
Is it any wonder then that your day ends no differently than you expected?
Satan keeps you bound, poor, sick, and oppressed by ensnaring you with your own words when you make such negative confessions as—
“I’m afraid I just cannot do this work as I should. I know that I will fail if I try.”
“I probably will not be able to go, as I am sure that I will not have the money in time.”
“I still have my symptoms and pain although I received prayer for healing several weeks ago. Perhaps it is not God’s will to heal me this time.”
“No matter how hard I try, it seems I just cannot overcome this problem.”
“I wonder if I will ever feel any better.”
“I just knew it would rain today; it always does when we plan anything for outdoors.”
“Why does this always have to happen to me?”
“I wonder if this pain in my chest could indicate heart disease.”
“Please do not ask me to speak in public, as I always become quite nervous and cannot testify.”
“I cannot eat this meat because pork always makes me ill.”
A person who confesses fear,anxiety,sickness,and dafe does so because he believes in fear
anxiety,sickness,and defeat.He believes in these things because his mind is always dwelling on them.
The influence of the powers of darkness upon the human race is nowhere more clearly seen than in satan’s control and influence of man’s mind and his confession.
Most of the things you ever hear,whether over the radio or TV,on the plane,or in a restaurant,has a negative emphasis.
The newspapers and commentators seldom present a good report.
Your condition will always parallel your confession.
Jesus came to give us an abundant life–a life free from sin,sickness,poverty,fear,depression,worry and defeat.
However,most Christians have allowed
satan to rob them of their joy and peace,as well as their health and prosperity,through his influence upon their thoughts and their consequent confession.
In order to rise above all these opposing circumstances and walk in victory with our inheritance restored,we must change our thinking habits, and we must eliminate certain negative expressions from our speech.
It is then that we shall begin to experience the dynamic power of positive confession.
People reveal the nature and extent of their faith by what they say or confess.
What you confess is your faith speaking,and will reveal whether or not your faith
is strong,weak,great,or small.Since you generally receive what you confess (Mk.11:23;Prov.18:21),
then if your confession agrees with the Word of God you will receive what He has promised.
A true confession of faith always agrees with God’s Word–they both speak the same language.
If you confess what God’s Word says about your sins (I Jn.1:9),then you receive
forgiveness;and,in the same manner,if you confess what His Word says about your diseases (Psa.103:2-3),you will receive healing.
If,however,you say, “I prayed for the healing of my ulcers but there are still certain foods that I would not dare eat as I know they would make me ill,” then you cannot expect
to be healed by faith,for your confession does not agree with God’s Word.
The Scriptures declare that “by His stripes you were healed”(I Pet.2:24);God’s Word
states,furthermore,that you are to believe that you have received the answer to your petition when you pray (Mk.11:24).
Thus,any confession that does not harmonize with what the Scriptures say will invariably nullify the Word of God on your behalf.
It is important to see that you will never rise above the level of your confession.
Your condition or circumstances always tend to parallel your confession.
Some individuals who lack instruction in the Scriptures concerning the importance of
maintaining a positive confession,even in the face of symptoms or contradictory
circumstances,will ask,
“But isn’t this being dishonest to say that I am healed when I still have
my pain and symptoms ?”
Or they ask,
“Isn’t such a confession just mental suggestion ?”
No.On the contrary,it is never dishonest to confess about your condition what
the Scriptures tell you to say.It is not mere suggestion,but a confession of God’s Word
when you confess your belief that God has heard and answered your petition when you pray
(Mk.11:24;I Jn.5:14-15).
The reason God requires us to confess,not what we feel or see,but what his
Word promises us,is because our condition
and circumstances generally remain on about the same level of our confession,for “death”and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov.18:21).
Note that satan’s power to afflict or oppress increases or decreases in direct proportion to the positiveor negative nature of one’s confession.
God clearly tells us what He will do for us in His Word,and from that point on He deals with us on the basis of what we say and do about His promises.If,after claiming some
promise in His Word,we then begin to express doubt or make some negative confession concerning the situation,this will nullify His Word on our behalf.
The importance of our confession is to be seen in Jesus’warning that “by
thy words thou shalt be justified,and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Mt.12:37).
You have to determine whether or not you will have the abundant life of health ,prosperity,joy,
victory,and fruitfulness which Jesus promised.
Thedevil is not in the position to determine your destiny,for the Scriptures tell you to “resist the devil and he will flee from you…” and that God has given us “power over all
the power of the enemy.”This means that satan can have no place in your life unless you grant it to him.No,he is not the one who determines whether or not you have a
victorious and abundant life,or whether you suffer adversity and failure.
Your circumstances never determine whether or not you will have victory or defeat,for they merely provide you with the
opportunity to reveal the extent of your faith in the promises of God.
Circumstances in themselves cannot cause
victory nor defeat,for Jesus promised that “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,nothing shall be impossible to you.”
Are you aware that as you begin each day it is you–who will determine the nature of the day you will have?
Were you aware that you have been given the choice of deciding whether or not you will be happy or sad,sick or well,worried or calm,victorious or defeated?
“…all things,whatsoever,ye shall ask in prayer,believing,ye shall receive”(Mt.21:22).
Everyone preconditions his life by what he thinks,believes,and confesses.
Some people are poor insurance risks
because they are “accident prone.”They fear that they may have an accident,thenbegin to express their fears,and as a consequence they often experience what they believe and confess.
Many people are dying prematurely of diseases because they are confessing such fears as a result of reading the medical reports on the dangers of
cholesterol,as well as the insurance statistics concerning the average life-span of the National population .Medical science informs us that a large percentage of all
illness stems from wrong attitudes,negative thoughts,and anxiety,as well as from negative confession concerning these things.
In Hebrews 3:1,Jesus is called the High Priest of our confession.This means
that as our High Priest He can act in our behalf to save,bless,heal,protect,
and deliver us,if we give Him a positive confession which is in harmony with
the Word Of God.However,a confession of doubt or fear concerning our situation or need
hinders His ministry on our behalf,and opens a channel of access for satan to enter and
oppress.
The Scripture show that sickness or health,prosperity or adversity,are directly related to
our confession.Therefore,it is important to know,for instance,when illness strikes that there
are three factors to consider if healing is to be obtained.First,there is what God says about our
affliction (“He healeth all our diseases,” Psa.103:3);secondly,there is what satan says about the situation(“you are sick”;”you
may die”;and thirdly,there is what you confess about your condition.This is why what you say determines the outcome,for you have the choice of agreeing either with your adversary (the devil),or with God.
In Revelation 12:10 satan is called “the accuser of the brethren,”who stands before the throne of Heaven accusing us day and night; whereas Jesus is designated as our
Advocate (I Jn.2:1),and The High Priest of our confession (Heb.3:1),who pleads our case without ceasing before the Father.
What is Jesus pleading on our behalf with?
Two things:with His Blood,and with our confession,for we are informed that satan is overcomed by the Blood of The Lamb,and with the word of our testimony (Rev.12:11).
As The High Priest of our confession,Jesus is pleading our defense against satan’s accusations,not only with His precious Blood,but also with our testimony (what we say).
Therefore,if you have joined your confession with that of your accuser,satan,as a result Jesus Christ cannot act as your High
Priest on the basis of a negative confession of doubt,fear,or failure.
He can only act as The High Priest of a good confession which is in harmony with The Word Of God.
The victoriuos life is based upon a positive confession of four Biblical truths.A positive affirmation of these truths will compel satan to acknowledge your authority and victory over him.
Thiswill in turn have the effect of breaking the enemy’s power to bind,hinder,and oppress you.
God expects us to confess;
(1.)what we are in Christ;(2.)where we are in Christ;(3.)what we possess in Christ;and (4.)what we can do in Christ.
1.Confess what you are in Christ (your standing)
What do the Scriptures say that we now are in Christ?
We are informed in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “…if any man be in Christ,he is a new creation:old things are passed away;behold,all things are become new.”
When God promises us that all things have become new,then He expects us to confess this fact–that we have been liberated and renewed in mind,body,soul,and spirit,for our
circumstances and condition will never rise above the level of what we believe we are in Christ.
The Scriptures declare that “…you are complete in Him” (Col.2:10),that you have been liberated from the “…power of
darkness” (Col.1:13),as well as the effects of the curse
(Gal.3:13),and that you are now sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Gal.4:6-7).
The victorius life is based upon our continual confession of our present standing in Christ.
2.Confess where you are in Christ (your position)
Many Chritians are living a life of oppression and defeat at the hands of the enemy,because they do not know where
they now are in Christ–their position in Him.
They believe they have been crucified with
Christ (Gal.2:20);they believe they have died with Christ (II Cor.5:14);they believe that they have risen with Christ (Col.3:1);but they
are unable to walk in victory as they should,triumphant over the powers of darkness,because they do not know that
they have also ascended into the Heavens with Christ,and are seated
with Him “far above all principality,and power,and might,and dominion”(Eph.2:5-6;1:20-21).
God has not called us to contend with satan for a place of victory,but to overcome him form our position of victory which we already have in Christ.
Jesus tells us that He has given us authority over all the power of the enemy(Lk.10:17-19),and that all power in Heaven and earth
has been given unto Him,which He in turn has commited unto
us(Mt.28:18-20;Mk.16:17-20).
Victory will not be yours until you believe it and confess that it belongs to you.
Boldly confess that you no longer need to contend with satan for a place of victory,but that you shall overcome him from a position of victory at the Throne of God.
The Christian has this authority by virtue of his relationship to Christ,but we must first claim and confess our authority over satan before we can effectively command him to obey.
We have been authorized by virture of our heavenly position to put up a bold resistance in the Name Of Jesus Christ against the powers of darkness,and we have been assured that they must obey!
3.Confess what you possess in Christ (your inheritance).
So many Christians are kept in bondage by satan to some degree,because they do not
know,or claim,what belongs to them as the result of their inheritance in Christ.
As a consequence they have allowed the enemy to usurp their rights and privileges,and to rob them of their healing,health,joy,and peace.
The Scriptures,declare that the believer’s inheritance belongs to him now,for God promises that:
“..all things are your…whether the world,or life,or death,or things present,or things to come”(I Cor.3:21-22).
God has given us all things in Christ now as joint-heirs with Him (Rom.8:16-17).
All these provisions and blessings are available to the extent that we are willing to press through by faith and confess that they are ours now.
4.Confess what you can do in Christ (your empowering and ability).
One thing is certain–you will never be able to do more than you are willing to confess that you can do in Christ.
To walk in victory you should never confess that you cannot do something,or that anything is impossible,for the Scriptures say
that you should always confess,
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me” (Phil.4:13).
When Moses insisted on confessing that he could not speak fluently to Pharaoh,then he could not,and God was compelled to send Aaron his brother to speak for him (Ex.4).
Peter bagan to sink when he confessed that he could not stand on the very water which he had been walking on;and the Israelites perished in the wilderness because they
confessed that they would (Num.14:1-2,28-29).
The Lord clearly promises us that:
“…these signs shall follow them that believe:in My Name shall they cast out devils;they shall speak with new tongues;they shall take up serpents;and if
they drink any
deadly thing,it shall not hurt them;they shall lay hands on the sick,and they shall recover” (Mk.16:17-18).
“He that believes on Me,the works that I do shall he do also,and greater works than these shall he do” (Jn.14:12).
“…if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Mt.17:20).
Inasmuch as the Scriptures declare that you can be “snared by the words of your mouth”(Prov.6:2),and that,”by your words you shall be justified,and by your words you shall be
condemned”(Mt.12:37),then it is imperative that we guard our lips from giving expression to anything negative,which is an open invitation to the enemy to oppress or overcome us.
Change a negative confession to a positive one,and truly nothing shall be impossible unto you.
THE SIX-FOLD SECRET OF A POSITIVE CONFESSION
God deals with us on the basis of what we say or confess,according to Matthew 12:34-37.
In Mark 11:23 Jesus promises us that we shall receive whatsoever we say.We are informed
in Romans 10:10 that confession is the means by which we obtain possession of what we
believe,while Proverbs 18:21 declares that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
The secret of a positive confession is six-fold:
1.)First,you must set a watch on your lips,and guard your mind.
If we expect to walk in health,prosperity,and victory,then we must,first of all,pray like
David did:”Set a watch,O Lord,before my mouth;keep the door of my lips”(Psa.141:3),confessing
to The Lord,”I will take heed to my ways,that
I sin not with my tongue:I will keep my mouth
with a bridle”(Psa.39:1).
In order to develop a positive confession it is necessary to see that we must first learn how
to be quiet,before we attempt to learn how to speak effectively.
As infants we struggled,slowly learning how to speak;moreover,we have spent years developing
our vocabulary,only to discover that much of what we have learned must be unlearned,as it is
a primary cause for much of our problems and failure.The Lord admonishes us to stop confessing
our doubts,symptoms,and fears,as well as our uncertainties,and to “be still and know that I am
God”(Psa.46:10).In Ecclesiastes 5:2 He warns us:”Be not rash with thy mouth,and let not thine
heart be hasty to utter anything before God…therefore let thy words be few.”
A positive confession begins with a sanctified silence.Learning how to be quiet,and speaking
only those things which edify both ourselves and others is the secret of positive confession.
Guard your heart and mind,for this is the place the enemy usually attempts to work,as he knows
you will generally confess what you think and believe,for “…out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaks.”
2.)Never confess doubt,nor anything of a negative nature.
Never confess symptoms–confess the
Word,and resist symptoms just as you would any temptation
from satan.
Develop a vocabulary of faith from God’s Word.
You must refuse,moreover,to listen to the
doubts of others,as this can adversely affect your
own confession of faith.
3.)Harmonize your confession with God’s.
Bring your confession into harmony,not with what you feel or see,not with what others may say,
nor with what the circumstances might appear to be,but into agreement with the Word of God.
Study,and then begin to confess the Promises of such Scriptures as,for example:Exodus 15:26;
Psalm 37:91;103:1-5;121;Matthew
6:33;18:19;21:22;Mark 11:22-24;Romans 8:28;I Corinthians 3:21-22;II Corinthians 1:20;Philippians 4:13,19;Hebrews 13:6;James 1:2-4;and III John 2.
God’s answers always keep pace with your confession.
4.)Confess victory before you see it.
Gideon and his small band of 300 men shouted the victory beforehand,and as a
result the enemy
became so frightened that the Midianites destroyed one another in their confusion.
The Israelites did not wait until the walls of Jericho began to crumble,before believing that
God had given the city into their hands,but they shouted the walls down by faith.
Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith is not sight.Faith can only operate in the realm of the invisible.
We are never to depend upon feelings or appearances,for satan works through the realm of the
senses,and can manipulate the feelings with symptoms and pains,and can also deceive by what
appears to be true to our sight.
Appearance can deceive.
Faith is confessing the victory ahead of time.
5.)Hold fast to your confession of faith without wavering.
When you claim healing,you have thereby
challenged satan’s right to oppress you.You have,as it
were,entered his domain,and a battle often ensues.
When satan discovers you have learned the secret of using God’s Word to overcome him (Rev.12:11),he will eventually be forced to release his hold on you,or on your circumstances.
Butoften he will not withdraw until he has exhausted his resources in attempt to break your confession of faith in the integrity of the Word of God.
Thedevil trys to implant fear and doubt into your
mind to confuse you;at times he will cause persecution to come upon you for your faith;on
occasion he will try to oppress with new symptoms and pain,or cause the ailment to appear to
return;he trys to surround you with contradictory advice from friends,or will
cause your family
to think that you have become a religious fanatic because of your stand on the Word.But he knows
that your confession and integrity,if well maintained without wavering,will ultimately defeat
him and his work in your life;therefore,”let us
hold fast the confession of our faith without
wavering;for He is faithful that promised”,and “cast not away therefore your confidence,which
has great recompence of reward.For you have need of patience,that,after you have done the Will
of God,you may receive the Promise”(Heb.10:23,35-36).
6.)If satan tempts you to doubt,boldly take the initiative away from him.
As we have seen,frequently after claiming some Promise in God’s Word,satan will
challenge your
decision,and you may find yourself undergoing a period of trial.In such instances,a bold
reaffirmation of your faith in God’s Word when tempted to doubt will generally kill doubt at
the roots.
It is also necessary many times,especially during a period of trial,to take offensive measures
against the powers of darkness.There will be times when you must boldly move deeper into satan’s
territory by faith when he challenges your confession.When Goliath threatened David,saying,”I will
give your flesh unto the fowls of the air,and
to the beasts of the field,”David immediately
replied,”And I will smite you,and take your head from you!”When the giant then rose and drew
near to meet him,instead of retreating in fear,we are told that,”David hasted,and ran toward
the army to meet the Philistine”(I Sam.17:44f).
When satan advances one step against you in an effort to break your confession of faith–resist
him in faith,and boldly advance two steps against him,and the Scriptures assure you that “he will
flee from you.”
A bold step of faith when tempted to doubt is one of the most effective strategies and weapons
that the believer possesses against satan,for it takes the initiative away from him and keeps
you in control of the situation.
If Christians could be made to realize just how much of their own illness,depression,problems,
and defeat stem from emotional stress
resulting from wrong attitudes and thoughts,as well as
from negative statements concerning these matters,they would never again allow such
attitudes
and expressions to rob them of their health,joy,peace,and victory,but would begin each day with
a positive expectation,confessing:
This is the day that The Lord has made;
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
It was because of the Apostle Paul’s positive attitude and his positive confession that he was
able to keep his courage and walk in victory through all his many hardships and trials.
His positive mental attitude and victorious confession are an inspiration to all.
Instead of taking his trials,persecutions,and
hardships to heart and grieving or complaining
over them,he joyfully confessed:
“We are troubled on every side,yet not distressed;we are perplexed,
but not in despair;persecuted,but not forsaken;cast down,but not
destroyed;always bearing about in the body the dying of The Lord
Jesus,that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body.”
II Corinthians 4:8-10
His Life and Resurrection Power are released in us through positive thinking and through a
positive confessions
Shalom….
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