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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
positive confessionism	stacey	Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Question: I recently had to stay and care for my elderly uncle while my aunt who is an ordained charismatic minister and the pastor from the charismatic church I used to attend both attended the big revival in Lakeland, Fla. given by a man named Todd Bentley. My uncle who is heavily into this had the computer and TV tuned into this almost 24 hours a day so I was inundated with this plus the Miracle Channel. I don't really know about the authenticity of this revival but from what I've seen and heard I do have some doubts that it is completely of God-maybe some of it is and some isn't I don't know. I do believe God still heals and I do believe in the charismatic gifts when they are properly used but so many people are deceived in chasing the miracles instead of the miracle giver. Anyway my question is about the word of faith movements practice of positive confessionism. The day my aunt returned she made some complaint to a friend about something my uncle forgot to do while she was gone which was kind of trivial. Her friend said "Don't speak that! Your are setting up a stronghold that the devil will use to bring it to pass!" When I was attending my former church I couldn't even make a statement such as "I think I have a cold coming on or my broke toe is hurting tonite" without hearing "Shh! Don't speak it or the enemy will make it come true." This used to drive me nuts! When I had that weird "deliverance" session in March and I tried to tell the woman who was "in charge" that my blood sugar was starting to drop she said the same thing. I told her that I had a real legitimate medical problem and she kept interrupting me saying "Stacey, I said to you before don't say it!" I finally got her to get me some coke which she didn't want to do. She said my faith wasn't strong enough and kept telling me to repeat "I will be fine. My blood sugar will not drop. I will be able to go to work and perform my job well." I'm not kidding-she really did this! Where does this practice come from. I hope I don't come across as bitter towards the whole movement it's just this involvement I had with this one particular group of people and this group does have quite a controversial reputation around my city. I know God brought me through this for a reason and I'm having to constantly forgive them cause I don't want to be bitter but it did quite a number on my head while I was in it. Thanks and God Bless!
Question Answered by Dear Stacey: Sorry for the delay in responding. I am answering from the road as I am in Ohio at the moment. The incidents you describe reveal the disordered and ungodly nature of Positive Confession. This practice is disordered and sometimes dangerous, such as the incident about blood sugar. More than that Positive Confession lacks love. The "name it and claim it" crowd really abuse people spiritually and psychologically. For example, when people "claim" their healing and they are not healed, or when they "claim financial success" and it does not come they are accused of a lack of faith. This is an insult to all people who are ill or handicapped and people who are poor to be told they are only that way because of their lack of faith. How cruel and how untrue. The Positive Confession crowd are not following the Gospel. They are following a distortion that exploits the weakness and needs of people. I might add that this exploitation of people comes with a financial exploitation too that enriches the Positive Confession ministers. Positive Confession was popularized by Kenneth Hagan and Kenneth Copeland (who is under a congressional inquiry right now). For a little history and more information I found this article called, Positive Confession/PMA. This article is written by Protestants, but is very accurate concerning Positive Confession (which is considered heretical among most Protestant groups). God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

positive confessionism

stacey

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Question:

I recently had to stay and care for my elderly uncle while my aunt who is an ordained charismatic minister and the pastor from the charismatic church I used to attend both attended the big revival in Lakeland, Fla. given by a man named Todd Bentley. My uncle who is heavily into this had the computer and TV tuned into this almost 24 hours a day so I was inundated with this plus the Miracle Channel.

I don't really know about the authenticity of this revival but from what I've seen and heard I do have some doubts that it is completely of God-maybe some of it is and some isn't I don't know. I do believe God still heals and I do believe in the charismatic gifts when they are properly used but so many people are deceived in chasing the miracles instead of the miracle giver.

Anyway my question is about the word of faith movements practice of positive confessionism.

The day my aunt returned she made some complaint to a friend about something my uncle forgot to do while she was gone which was kind of trivial. Her friend said "Don't speak that! Your are setting up a stronghold that the devil will use to bring it to pass!" When I was attending my former church I couldn't even make a statement such as "I think I have a cold coming on or my broke toe is hurting tonite" without hearing "Shh! Don't speak it or the enemy will make it come true." This used to drive me nuts! When I had that weird "deliverance" session in March and I tried to tell the woman who was "in charge" that my blood sugar was starting to drop she said the same thing. I told her that I had a real legitimate medical problem and she kept interrupting me saying "Stacey, I said to you before don't say it!" I finally got her to get me some coke which she didn't want to do. She said my faith wasn't strong enough and kept telling me to repeat "I will be fine. My blood sugar will not drop. I will be able to go to work and perform my job well." I'm not kidding-she really did this! Where does this practice come from. I hope I don't come across as bitter towards the whole movement it's just this involvement I had with this one particular group of people and this group does have quite a controversial reputation around my city. I know God brought me through this for a reason and I'm having to constantly forgive them cause I don't want to be bitter but it did quite a number on my head while I was in it. Thanks and God Bless!

Question Answered by

Dear Stacey:

Sorry for the delay in responding. I am answering from the road as I am in Ohio at the moment.

The incidents you describe reveal the disordered and ungodly nature of Positive Confession. This practice is disordered and sometimes dangerous, such as the incident about blood sugar. More than that Positive Confession lacks love.

The "name it and claim it" crowd really abuse people spiritually and psychologically. For example, when people "claim" their healing and they are not healed, or when they "claim financial success" and it does not come they are accused of a lack of faith. This is an insult to all people who are ill or handicapped and people who are poor to be told they are only that way because of their lack of faith. How cruel and how untrue.

The Positive Confession crowd are not following the Gospel. They are following a distortion that exploits the weakness and needs of people. I might add that this exploitation of people comes with a financial exploitation too that enriches the Positive Confession ministers.

Positive Confession was popularized by Kenneth Hagan and Kenneth Copeland (who is under a congressional inquiry right now).

For a little history and more information I found this article called, Positive Confession/PMA. This article is written by Protestants, but is very accurate concerning Positive Confession (which is considered heretical among most Protestant groups).

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.