Hi Twiggy,
If you're interested, some time ago I wrote
my thoughts concerning positive confession. Here they are;
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Most of you know that I believe in WoF *gasp*
So I'd like to clear up some misunderstandings about "positive" confession, one of the things us crazy WoFers believe in.
First a bit of background. I have attended the same RHEMA affiliated church for the last 30 years. I've had only 2 pastors in those 30 years, and my current pastor has been at the church for around 20 years or so. He lives just a few houses up from me, and I would consider him one of my greatest friends.
I grew up with WoF teachings, and I have never known anything different. My parents are also WoF people, and they raised me this way. At no point was I "forced" to believe this way. Even though I was raised this way, I ultimately made the choice for myself. All of that said, I am not by any means a poster child for all things WoF, but I want to explain to you "positive" confession in the way that I have understood it over the years.
One of the first things that I'd like to discuss is what is a "positive" vs. a "negative" confession. The extreme of this teaching led some (but not all) WoF to never say anything "negative". Ultimately, this would result in people who were on their deathbeds saying that they were fine, and there was nothing wrong with them, because they did not want to make a "negative" confession. However, not everyone believed this way, and please remember, this is the "extreme" of this belief (which unfortunately, is what most people focus on.)
So let's say for example that you go to the doctor, and he diagnoses you with cancer. Some extreme positive confession proponents might well tell you that they don't have cancer, no matter what the doctors or tests say. But I do not believe that saying you have cancer is a "negative" confession. It is a simple, documentable fact. However, I believe that there are "facts", and there are "Truths". The "fact" may well be that you have cancer, but the Truth is you have been healed. That supernatural Truth supersedes the natural fact.
These 2 things seem at odds with one another, but they are not. For example, when the 12 spies went to spy out the promised land, they came back with a "factual" report, that there were giants in the land. The Bible called this report, factual as it may have been, an "evil" report. But Joshua and Caleb came back with a different report, having seen the same circumstances before them. They did not deny the fact that there were giants in the land, but they agreed with the report of the Lord, who told them they were well able to overcome the giants. So we see here that the "evil" in that report was NOT the fact that they "confessed" that there were giants in the land, because Joshua and Caleb acknowledged that there were giants also. But the "evil" came in that they allowed those giants to steal away the land God had promised them.
Contrary to what you may have heard, most WoF people don't believe that you'll never have to go through things. In fact, Jesus promises us that in this world, we will have troubles. But He immediately tells us after that to take heart, because He has overcome the world.
So the question of "positive" confession is not so much do you accept or deny "facts", but rather, whose report do you believe? Many times when we get a bad diagnosis, or we get bad news, we focus on that. We talk endlessly about it, focusing on the "fact" and not the "Truth" that we are more than conquerors through Christ. This is what "positive" confession does;
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
You see, we can't constantly focus on negative things and expect positive results. We can't have a steady diet of the news 24/7, hearing about how the economy is in the tank and we're all going down the tubes and think everything is OK. It is not "denial". It is thinking on "whatsoever things are of good report". The difference between the 10 spies that brought back an "evil" report and Joshua and Caleb was that Joshua and Caleb chose to focus on and believe the "good report" that they were well able to take the land.
So after reading this, I hope you'll have a better understanding of what I (and many other WoF people) believe concerning "positive confession". You won't read this on the average "what's wrong with WoF" website, and so I wanted to post what I believe.
There may be giants in the land, but you are well able to overcome them.
If you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear them.
