For a long time, I was confused over the fact that in my own life and the lives of others, there was a continual sense of defeat and failure. Many of God’s wonderful people were still in great bondage. I have seen a duality in their speech – one moment a bold confession of who they are in Christ, and the next moment a negative, defeated confession. Do our words mean anything? Are we justified or condemned by our words? Is it true that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks? Do faith confessions really create realities? The only place where these questions can be answered, of course, is the Word of God.
In Hebrews 4:14 we are told to hold fast to the confession of our faith. The Word “confession” or “profession” means to say the same thing the Word says. In Hebrews 3:1, we see Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, He who says the same thing the Word says! I am to hold fast to the confession of my faith. In other words, grasp or get a grip on this confession of faith. You might ask, what confession of faith do I grasp or hold onto? You are to hold fast to your confession of the absolute integrity of God’s Word, to the confession of the great redemptive work of Christ in your life. Hold fast to the confession of the new creation and of receiving the life and nature of Christ. I made the discovery that I had been making two confessions. I had been confessing the absolute truthfulness of God’s Word, and in the next breath confessing my problem or circumstance. It is a great battle to gain mastery over our confession. Faith holds fast to the confession of the Word; sense knowledge (smelling, tasting, touching, seeing, hearing) holds fast to the confession of physical evidences. If I hold fast to the confession of the physical evidence, I nullify the Word of God in my life. Because they lose their confession when things get difficult, many believers have failed. Remember to confess means to say the same thing the Word says!
Many Christians hear the word “confession” and they instinctively think of confessing their sins, weakness and failures to God. Yes, we are to say the same thing the Word says about our sin, but that is only one side of confession; we must also confess what the Word says about who we are as new creations in Christ.
We walk in the light of our testimony; our faith never goes beyond our confession.
The Word becomes real as we confess its reality in our lives. Sense knowledge would confess only what it has seen, heard or felt. In contrast, our testimony of the reality of the Word in our lives is feared by the devil. If you continuously talk of your doubts and fears, it will rob your faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). As you daily affirm the Scriptures in your walk, your faith will be nourished, and you will grow in faith. Never be frightened by any condition, no matter how foreboding or how impossible it may look. Never lose your confession of God’s supremacy over the works of the devil. You must fearlessly take your position as a New Testament priest; confess your ability in Christ to overcome any and all opposition. Remember what you are in Christ, A NEW CREATION! You are a branch of the Vine, you are an heir of God and you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Never talk defeat. Never talk failure. Become God-minded, remembering that the greater one is inside you. If we confess our freedom, that the Son has made us free, God makes that confession a reality. As Jesus confessed the Word, God gave Him victory over the devil (Matt. 4:1-10). Our words either build up or tear down our faith. If we continuously confess lack, we believe we are lacking, and our confession becomes a reality. David said as he believed so he spoke (Psalms 116:10). Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34). Don’t trust in the faith of others; do your own believing. Have your own faith just like you have your own clothes and confess the Word for yourself. Never admit you are a “Doubting Thomas”. Don’t talk about sickness and disease; talk about God’s healing anointing. Never talk failure or frustration; talk about the Word and God’s willingness to bring a miracle into your life. The Bible says we are to discipline ourselves unto Godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Getting victory over a dual confession will take God’s grace and discipline. Learning to submit our tongue unto God is a great step in our spiritual growth. James said, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious (knows Christ), and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (James 1:26)
“Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) If we ask the Lord for wisdom, strength and anointing to accomplish this spiritual discipline, He will help us. Let us take the next 21 days and say the same thing the Word says. Let us not confess anything other than God’s Word. It will fortify your walk in Christ.
You must confess aloud each affirmation and make it personal to your own life. According to Rom. 10:9-10, I confess salvation before God acts and recreates my human spirit. This is a very important Spiritual Law.
When I boldly confess, then I will possess!
Give the Word first place these next 21 days and may the God of all peace bruise Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20). GO FOR IT!
Directions for 21 Days of Confession
Repeat out loud each Biblical Confession for the next 21 days. On the first day confess out loud the first confession; on the second day confess out loud the first confession followed by the second confession. Follow this pattern through to the 21st day when you will be confessing and affirming God’s Word concerning your life with all 21 confessions of faith. It will take discipline and commitment to accomplish this. As you take your bold stand of faith and confess out loud God’s Word each day, you will sense your spirit grow stronger and stronger. By Day 21 it will take about 5 minutes to complete your spiritual discipline. May God bless you as you say the same thing the Word says.
Personal Commitment
I ______________________________ make a personal commitment to confess and affirm out loud God’s Word these next 21 days. I will be extra sensitive to what I watch and hear, and the conversations I have.
*A sheet with numbered boxes is provided on the last page to check off as you progress.
21 Biblical Confessions
1. I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:10
2. I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me. Isaiah 54:14
3. I have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5.
4. I am holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16
5. I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
6. I can do all things through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13
7. I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works. Ephesians 2:10
8. I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me. Romans 8:37
9. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own. 1 Corinthians 6:19
10. I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood. Ephesians 1:7
11. I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s Kingdom. Colossians 1:13
12. For God has not given me a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
13. It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20
14. I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened. Ephesians 1:17-18
15. I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith. Ephesians 6:6
16. I have the peace of God that passes all understanding. Philippians 4:7
17. I have no lack for my God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
18. I am a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
19. I am healed by the stripes of Jesus. Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24
20. I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12
21. I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus. James 4:7
