As a man thinketh…
“Every day in every way I am becoming better and better,” declared the French philosopher Emile Coué. But it is said that he committed suicide.
Positive thinking by a nonbeliever without a biblical basis is often an exercise in futility. Though I agree with the basic concept of positive thinking, so long as it is related to the Word of God, there is a difference between positive thinking and supernatural thinking. We do not think positively so that we can know Christ better; we come to know Christ better, which results in supernatural thinking. The basis of our thinking is God’s Word; supernatural thinking is based upon the attributes of God.
When a man says, “I am going to be enthusiastic, by faith, as an act of the will,” or “I am going to rejoice, by faith, as an act of the will,” he is simply drawing upon his rights as a child of God, according to the promises of God.
In supernatural thinking, we apply the promises of God, knowing with certainty that if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear and answer us.
Some well-known Christian leaders emphasize “positive thinking” and “possibility thinking.” They are men whom I admire and with whom I agree basically in this regard because the Christian life is a positive life. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7
But I prefer to use what I believe to be the more scriptural definition of the Christian life—supernatural thinking, which includes—but goes far beyond—both positive thinking and possibility thinking.
Excerpt from Promises by Bill Bright copyright 1993
Many of us grew up learning about the power of positive thinking. It works, but if you’ve tried it you are probably painfully aware of its shortcomings. Positive thinking can only take you so far. Churches are overflowing with frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned Christians who are trying to “positive think” their way to the abundant (full and meaningful) life God promises. A critical step in supernatural thinking is focusing on God rather than self. Bill Bright’s book, GOD, Who Are You Anyway? can help you do just that! You can also watch videos by Bill Bright on the character of God for free by clicking here and then click on the attribute of God you want to focus on.
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