Why Affirmations and Manifesting Aren’t Biblical
This has been pressing on my heart for a while now. I’ve noticed how often the words “manifest” and “affirm” appear in everyday conversations, even among believers. It’s subtle at first. Phrases like “I’m calling it in,” or “I’m speaking it into existence.” On the surface, it sounds positive. Empowering, even. But as I started to dig deeper and pray, I realized something wasn’t sitting right in my spirit. I couldn’t ignore the quiet nudge: This isn’t biblical.
And it’s time we talk about it because what we believe about power, prayer, and promises matters more than ever.
The Roots of Manifesting: Where Did This Come From?
Manifesting isn’t new. It may feel trendy now, but it actually has deep roots in movements that are anything but biblical. The New Thought movement in the 1800s, filled with ideas that our minds can shape reality, opened the door to what we now see as the Law of Attraction. Add in pagan influences and a sprinkle of modern self-help, and suddenly we’re trying to speak things into existence and attract energy without even realizing we’re stepping into dangerous spiritual territory.
Scripture is clear about where our help comes from:
"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)
As believers, we don’t manifest—we pray. We don’t try to control outcomes with energy; we surrender them to God, trusting that He knows better than we do.
The Real Issue: Who’s in Control?
The biggest red flag in manifesting? It puts you at the center. It says, “You have the power to create your reality.” But that’s not just self-reliance, it’s self-deification. And while it might seem empowering, it actually pulls us away from the heart of the gospel, which calls us to depend on the Lord, not ourselves.
Liv Dooley puts it clearly:
“Manifesting makes you the god of your life. It tells you that you are in control, that you are the creator, that you hold the power to call things into existence. But only God can do that.”
Many well-meaning Christians blend manifesting with Scripture, quoting verses like “life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21) or “ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). But they twist the context. Biblical prayer is always rooted in God’s will, not personal desires. And speaking truth over your life should be based on God’s promises, not wishful thinking or cosmic ordering.
As Revive Our Hearts explains, “When we use the concept of manifesting to try to manipulate God into giving us what we want, we’ve stopped worshiping Him and started trying to control Him.”
Pastor John Piper put it plainly:
“The prosperity gospel will not make anybody praise Jesus; it will make people praise prosperity.”
God doesn’t need us to manifest anything. He calls us to trust Him, to seek Him, and to follow Him even when we can’t see the outcome. That’s faith.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
But What About Affirmations?
I get it. Speaking life over yourself sounds like a good thing. And honestly, it can be… if the source is right. But we have to be really careful here. There’s a big difference between declaring God's truth over your life and chanting positive phrases to boost your confidence.
Affirmations like “I am worthy,” “I am powerful,” or “I attract good things” often reflect a worldview that says you are the source of your strength and success. That’s not biblical. That’s not where our true worth or identity comes from.
Instead, let’s cling to what God says:
“You are chosen.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“You are redeemed.” (Ephesians 1:7)
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
You don’t have to create your own truth, you just need to remember the One who is Truth.
“We take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
So What Should We Do Instead?
If you're feeling a little uneasy reading this, please know you're not alone. I’ve wrestled through it, too. It’s easy to get swept up in what sounds good and feels spiritual, but doesn’t actually lead us closer to Jesus. So here’s what I’ve learned to do instead:
1. Pray with Surrender
Tell God what’s on your heart, but trust Him with the outcome. Don’t pray to manipulate. Pray to be led.
“Do not be anxious... but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
2. Declare Scripture
When lies whisper that you’re not enough, don’t try to drown them out with feel-good phrases. Speak God’s Word. It has authority.
“So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty.” (Isaiah 55:11)
3. Let Him Shape Your Desires
Sometimes we’re so focused on the dream, we miss what He’s doing in us. God refines as He leads.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
Anchor Your Heart in Truth
If we want to live surrendered, Spirit-led lives, we have to stay grounded in what’s true:
God is sovereign. (Psalm 103:19)
Prayer is about relationship, not control. (1 John 5:14)
Our identity is found in Christ. (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 2:9)
Our thoughts should be aligned with His Word. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
💛 Final Thoughts from My Heart to Yours
I’m not here to shame anyone who’s used affirmations or fallen into manifesting. This post isn’t about judgment, it’s about clarity. God is inviting us to trust Him more deeply, to release control, and to speak His truth over our lives.
Friend, your words matter. But they aren’t magic. You don’t need to manifest anything when you have a God who already holds everything.
Let’s stop manifesting and start abiding.
"Lord, we don’t want to be our own gods. We don’t want to chase success apart from You. Help us stop striving and start surrendering. Teach us to pray, to wait, to trust. Root our hearts in Your Word and remind us of who we are in You. May our words reflect Your truth, not the world’s trends. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Here are the blogs I referenced throughout this post:
Revive Our Hearts – When it Comes to “Manifesting” Try This, Not That
Beloved Women – Should Christians Manifest?
Liv Dooley – Should Christians Manifest?
The Gospel Coalition – You Can’t Manifest the Life You Want
I encourage you to explore these posts if you want to go deeper into what the Bible says about this topic.
