Bible Topics: Positiveness / Negative Thinking

Definition: Negative thinking is very akin to pessimism, which is the tendency to take the most unfavorable view of situations, or to expect the worst outcome in any circumstances; the practice of looking on the gloomy and dark side of things. Positiveness is optimism; the tendency or habit of seeing and expecting the good in things; looking on the bright side; anticipating favorable results; hopefulness.

1. Giving place to negative thinking only bears bad fruit.

• Proverbs 23:7a [If you give place to negative thoughts, you will become a negative person.] For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
• Proverbs 15:13b [Sad and negative thoughts weaken our spirits and lead to discouragement.] By sorrow of the heart, the spirit is broken.
• Luke 6:45 [Those whose hearts and minds are filled with negative thoughts usually spread them by voicing them.] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
• Romans 8:6,7 [Negative thinking is not walking in "newness of life," but in the old carnal nature which is against God.] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity [hostile] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [See also Eph.4:17.]
• 1 Corinthians 13:5 [If we're walking in love, we don't think negatively towards others.] [Love] doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
• Hebrews 12:15 [Harboring negative, critical thoughts can lead to bitterness.] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

2. We need to ask the Lord to "wash" our hearts and "renew" our minds to think only His positive, good thoughts.

• Psalm 51:2,7,10 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. ... 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ... 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
• Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
• 1 Corinthians 6:11b But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
• Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
• Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
• Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

3. Ask the Lord to help you learn to recognize the Enemy's negative thoughts so you can resist them!

• 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove [test or try] all things; hold fast that which is good.
• Matthew 7:16-20 [What kind of fruit do these thoughts bear?] Ye shall know them by their fruits. ... 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
• 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
• Hebrews 3:12,13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
• Hebrews 4:12 [Measure your thoughts with the Word.] For the Word of God is quick [alive], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [See also Acts 17:11.]
• 1 John 4:1a Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God.

4. Stop yourself at the first negative thought.

• Psalm 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
• Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but Thy law do I love.
• Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
• Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the Devil.
• James 4:7 Resist the Devil and he will flee from you!

5. Think on the good things!

• 1 Samuel 30:6b And David was greatly distressed ... but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
• Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
• Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.
• Proverbs 16:20b Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. [See also Psalm 146:5.]
• Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
• Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
• 1 Corinthians 2:2 [Dwell on others' good qualities, see Jesus in them!] For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
• Ephesians 4:32 [Remembering how much we appreciate love and understanding helps us avoid being critical of others.] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
• Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
• 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

6. Take a positive stand against the Devil and his negativeness.

• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
• Ephesians 6:10,11,16,17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
• 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on Eternal Life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
• James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

7. Keep your heart and mind filled with God's Word.

• Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
• Psalm 1:2 His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
• Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
• Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
• Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy Word.
• Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil.
• 1 Timothy 4:13-16 Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

8. Think about Jesus!

• Matthew 22:37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
• Psalm 63:5,6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.
• Psalm 104:34 My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.
• Hebrews 12:2,3 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

9. God not only knows our thoughts, He can help us to have positive ones.

• 1 Chronicles 28:9 [King David said:] And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee. ...
• Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.
• Jeremiah 29:11 For I [the Lord] know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
• Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

10. You're going to be either positive or negative, one or the other. You can't be just a little of both!

• Matthew 6:22,23 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
• Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
• James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
• Revelation 3:15b,16 I [Jesus] would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

11. Count your blessings, recounting all the wonderful things the Lord has done for you.

• Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord My God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
• Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation. Selah.
• Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
• Psalm 126:3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
• Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.
• Luke 1:46b,47,49 My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name.
• Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [See also 1 Thes.5:18.]
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

12. Take a positive approach to tests and trials by seeing the Lord's hand in all He sends your way.

• Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.
• Habakkuk 3:17,18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
• Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [See also Philippians 4:4.]
• James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
• 1 Peter 4:12,13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. [See also 1 Peter 1:6.]

13. Positive speech has a good effect on everyone, both those who voice it and those who hear it.

• Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.
• Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.
• Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name.
• Psalm 145:4,7 One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. 7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness.
• Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

14. Taking positive action is a declaration of your faith: It pleases God and works miracles!

• Joshua 3:15,16,17 [The children of Israel started crossing the Jordan by faith, even though the waters had not yet parted:] And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest). 16 That the waters which came down from above and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. 17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
• Matthew 9:20-22 [Reach out to Jesus with faith.] And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
• Mark 10:47-52 [Call on Jesus.] And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, what wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
• Luke 5:4-7 Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had thus done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
• Luke 17:14 And when He saw them [the ten lepers], He said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
• Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

15. Keep positive by helping someone else with their problems instead of thinking about your own.

• Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
• Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
• Galatians 4:18a But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.
• Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

16. Cultivate positive attitudes towards others.

• Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
• 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
• Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
• Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.
• 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

17. Positive people are the kind others like to be around.

• Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
• Psalm 119:74 They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in Thy Word.
• Proverbs 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
• Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came unto Him.

18. Manifesting a positive, full-of-faith spirit brings more victories and more to be positive about!

• Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
• Isaiah 58:10,11 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; 11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
• Matthew 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
• Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
• Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
• Galatians 6:7b Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

19. Some good promises and prayers to help overcome negative thinking.

• Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
• Psalm 19:14 And let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.
• Psalm 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
• Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

James Arendt

My name is James Arendt. I was raised in the Hegewisch neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974, and became a full-time missionary for Christ living 40 years in Japan, 3.5 years in Russia, and a few months in other countries such as Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China where I also served the King of Kings, Jesus, as an Ambassador for His Kingdom. My full bio.

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