THE PROBLEMS WITH POSITIVE CONFESSION THEOLOGY

It has almost become normal for many believers today that when they desire something, they simply “claim” it or “declare” it so it will happen: “I claim that I’ll get this job.” “I declare that my new year will be prosperous!” This is done because of the belief that whatever we speak will come true, since our words supposedly carry power. This belief is often called Positive Confession Theology, word of faith, decree and declare, or name-it-claim-it. According to the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (1988), “The phrase ‘positive confession’ refers quite literally to bringing into existence what we state in our mouth, since faith is a confession.” The recent trend of “manifesting” and the “law of attraction” are similar. To some, these practices may seem harmless, even a simple act of faith. I beg to disagree. Here’s why Positive Confession Theology is both questionable and dangerous.

The idea that a believer can claim something and make it happen is based on misinterpreted biblical passages such as:

PROVERBS 18:21 — THE TONGUE HAS THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH

Perhaps the most cited verse to support the practice is Proverbs 18:21. For those who believe in the word of faith, this verse shows that our words have actual power to change reality. However, this proverb is poetic and should not be read literally as if the tongue possesses magical abilities. Like other sayings in Proverbs, it simply highlights that our words can lead to positive or negative consequences (see Prov. 10:19; 15:23; 18:6). In other words, there is nothing “supernatural” here about our tongues.

PROVERBS 6:2 — YOU HAVE BEEN TRAPPED BY WHAT YOU SAID

Some claim this verse proves that negative words imprison us, meaning if we keep speaking “negative confessions,” misfortune will follow. But Proverbs 6:2 is about becoming a guarantor for someone else’s debt (Prov. 6:1–5). Being “trapped by your words” refers to agreeing to be a co-signer for a loan you don’t owe, not to shaping reality through speech.

ROMANS 10:10 — IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU PROFESS YOUR FAITH

Supporters of name-it-claim-it use this passage to argue that believers must verbally declare what they want so it will come to pass. Yet Paul’s point is about salvation. He explains that the gospel is near, in the readers’ mouths and hearts (v. 8). They are to confess with their mouths “Jesus is Lord” and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead (v. 9). This is an outward expression of faith in Christ’s identity—not about speaking material success into existence. The context concerns believing the gospel and responding with faith, not claiming a new house or career breakthrough.

PROBLEMS WITH POSITIVE CONFESSION THEOLOGY

Beyond lacking solid biblical support, this habit creates spiritual and practical problems. Because God never guarantees to give us something merely because we “claim” it, believers who follow this practice are prone to disappointment. It downplays hard work, perseverance, and God’s timing, making people think their words alone can control outcomes. It also encourages denial of reality—like declaring “I am financially rich!” while drowning in debt. Worst of all, it fosters pride rather than humility and submission to God’s will, as if declaring a desire obligates God to fulfill it. Such thinking distorts the true nature of faith, treating it as a tool to extract whatever we want from Him.

_________

While Positive Confession is problematic, prayer is not. Scripture commands us to pray continually (Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17). Prayer allows us to present our desires to God while learning to trust Him regardless of the outcome—whether He grants our requests or not. In prayer we need neither self-deception nor manipulation; instead, we express dependence on the Lord and rest in His sovereign will. Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

McCain D. and, Keener C. (2012). Prosperity: A Biblical Perspective. 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. African Christian Textbooks.
Hanegraaff, H. (2009). Is the gospel of peace a promise of ease and prosperity? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬. Thomas Nelson.
Burgess, S. M.,McGee G. B. (Ed.). (1988). Positive Confession Theology. 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. (p. 718-720). Zondervan.
Piper, J. (2020). 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘐 ‘𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘐𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘐𝘵’?. Retrieved from https://www.desiringgod.org/.../can-i-name-it-and-claim-it
𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯?. Retrieved from https://www.gotquestions.org/decree-and-declare.html