But be people who do the word, not merely people who hear it and deceive themselves.—James 1:22
Brainy Tip: Positive affirmations need to be supported by congruent positive beliefs.
Your words have to be backed up with honesty and integrity, or what in psychological terms is called cognitive congruence. Positive affirmations only work when you believe what you say—the root and the fruit need to match. If you lie to yourself, you will experience cognitive dissonance, the opposite of cognitive congruence, which can impact your mental and physical health because you are creating an internal war between what you actually believe and what you want to believe. You can quote as many Bible verses as you want to yourself, but unless you believe what they say, implanting the Word deep into your mind, you will not be able to follow the Messiah in thought, word, and deed.