The Power of I am, Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today. By Joel Osteen. Faith Words, October 2015.
I am. “What follows those two simple words will determine what kind of life you live.” (pg 1)
Osteen says that the words that follow I am should be nothing but positive affirmations about our self. For example, I am: blessed, successful, talented, wise, wonderful, healthy, victorious, qualified, prosperous, valuable…you get the idea. After 3 introductory chapters, each of the remaining 16 chapters focus on an I am statement. For example, chapter 4 is entitled, “I am blessed, A magnet for blessings” or chapter 7 entitled, “I am a masterpiece, See yourself as a masterpiece.” The book is somewhat repetitive, each chapter presenting similar ideas from a different angle.
Osteen says that we must dwell on these I am statements about our self, and he provides a list of I am affirmations. We should speak them, read them, meditate on them, and “get them down in our spirit.” (pg 13)
Do I even need to make the observation that there is something narcissistic or profoundly self-centered about all this? It is an ego trip. The Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of pride. I hardly think that Philippians 4:8’s encouragement to think about things that are lovely and excellent is inferring that we should be thinking of ourselves as lovely and excellent! Colossians 3:1-2 says to fix our hearts and minds on Jesus. But I digress.
Oh wait, Osteen assures us this is not pride, but a quiet confidence (pg 5). Phew.
However – I’d suggest that instead of this being about yourself, imagine it about another person. Imagine a close friend or co-worker who continually says wonderful things about his or her self. I’m quite certain you’ll find them intolerable to be around! They will be viewed as self-important egomaniacs. Or perhaps just viewed in a sad way, as deeply insecure individuals.
But wait, that’s not what this book is all about. This book is about the power of words. The reason we must speak these affirming words about our self is that when we “continue to speak them, they will become a reality.” (pg 13)
According to Osteen, words have creative power. They are like electricity. “You have to send your words out in the direction you want your life to go.” (pg 42) You must “invite” good things into your life through the power of your words. Positive words about yourself will bring health, strength, and abundance your way. Negative words invite struggle and lack. “Nothing happens until you speak.” (pg 35)
Whoa, my friends. Whoa. Joel Osteen is a Christian who pastors a Christian church. The book frequently references characters from the Bible, and random Bible verses are referenced to provide support. Analysis of that will follow in part 2. But for now…
Words have creative power and we “send them out” to bring good into our life? As I read Osteen, his words were eerily familiar to me. Why? I recently wrote a book where I researched the history of the positive thinking movement. The philosophy Osteen is promoting about the power of our thoughts/words comes from the “New Thought” mind-power movement of the late 19th century.
Far from Christian, this movement was birthed in occultic and mystical subcultures, with influences from eastern religion as well. The “god” of this movement was viewed as an impersonal force, and not as a personal being. Thoughts were perceived as “things” with a mystical type of causative power to influence reality and “attract” events to your life. Perhaps you have heard the phrase “law of attraction” which has been re-popularized in our day through author Rhonda Byrne and her book The Secret. The seeds of the modern New Age movement are from the late 19th century New Thought movement as well.
Maybe you think I am going off the deep end here. Am I accusing Osteen of being into the occult or New Age? No!
But having recently read original source material from both historical and modern New Thought/Law of Attraction movements, Osteen’s teachings clearly echo it.
Ralph Waldo Trine was a prolific New Thought writer of 100 years ago. Listen to Trine’s words: “Send out your thought–thought is a force, and it has occult power of unknown proportions when rightly used and wisely directed–send out your thought that the right situation or the right work will come to you at the right time, in the right way…”
That. is. Joel. Osteen.
As said, I am truly not saying Osteen is into that stuff. Rather he has been influenced by it, whether he realizes it or not. We have all been influenced by it. The New Thought movement eventually became the positive thinking movement of the mid-twentieth century and transformed American culture.
I think Osteen is a naturally optimistic type of guy, and it was easy for him to inadvertently (?) blend “thought power” with Christianity.
However, that does not work.
When you blend two things whose core teachings contradict each other, this creates a myriad of problems. You end up with a weakened Christianity, whose tenets are undermined, and with distortions of Christian belief.
Putting the non-Christian roots to the side, I appeal to common sense.
Do you really think it is possible for mere words that come out of your mouth to: emanate power in the universe, create, attract events…and ultimately alter reality??
If so, you are indeed a very powerful person.
I must emphasize that this is NOT about having a good or bad attitude in life. If you are grouchy and angry all the time, this will not likely lead to a promotion at work. This is NOT what Osteen is talking about at all.
In part 2, I will provide analysis of Osteen’s interactions with the Bible. Please know that I am not attacking Osteen as a person. He sure has a winsome smile, and I think he means well. Years ago he took the mantle from his father, feeling unequipped to do so, and I think Osteen never imagined where the ministry would go. Yet here he finds himself years later.
See you on Monday.
This Woman Writes said:
I first saw Osteen’s book at a box store, and from 30 feet away the image was 1) Osteen’s face and 2) the words, I AM. “Well,” I thought, “He certainly makes no secret of what he thinks about himself, and who he thinks he is.”
Laura said:
Yes, the cover and book title alone are problematic. Thanks for stopping by my blog. In part 2 I will expound upon “I am”…
samaritansong said:
Having read this, I am absolutely not surprised, as that is…pretty much exactly what I have come to expect of Osteen in terms of philosophy. I admire you for picking it up, though, and taking the time to review – I give his stuff a wide berth because I get so irritable after reading it!
Laura said:
Sometimes I force myself to read such things, to verify that my concerns/critique are warranted and not unfair. But, yeah, I can’t do it too often as it is irritating and disturbing.
Tim said:
Thanking God for his blessings, including how they have made me better, is fine, but the focus has to be on Jesus throughout or it’s worthless. Otherwise it is hard to see how it matches up with giving God the glory in all we do, per 1 Cor. 10:31.
Laura said:
Yes. Osteen’s focus is not on being thankful for blessings. Rather his emphasis is on declaring blessing on your life (“I am blessed”) and this will bring God’s blessing to you. Also, the book speaks of doing things to get/attract God’s favor.
sandyfaithking said:
Amen.
Laura Droege said:
“The Power of I Am”: too bad Osteen didn’t focus on the true “I Am”. Remember how angry the religious folks were when Jesus called himself that? Remember how often Jesus said, “I am . . . the bread of life, the good shepherd, the way, the truth, the life . . . ” That could’ve been a very valuable book if he’d focused on who Christ is, rather than focusing on us and our words.
Thanks for the gracious & critical review of his book. It’s a great reminder of where our focus needs to be, and what is wrong with this positive affirmation teaching. It’s also a great example of thinking Christianly and being truthful & loving in critiquing false doctrine.
Laura said:
Thanks for considering my review gracious and critical. : ) I try. And yes, if the focus was on Christ first and foremost, with some appropriate “affirmation” teaching flowing from that, it would be a more acceptable book. But not so as it stands.
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ThinkingChamber said:
I have a problem with the church that I attend posting Joel Osteen’s quotes. I’ve been quiet for a while since the leader thinks I’m too spiritually outspoken. I’ve been praying for the Lord to direct me for the right words to say without causing division in the church. Any suggestions? 🙂
I discern that he(Osteen) and his are not Christ centered and the followers are being pulled further away from the TRUTH.
Laura said:
It is tough to graciously speak up. I find that beginning with something positive can help the critique be taken a bit better. Speak from the heart. When people see you have a genuine concern, and just aren’t on the attack, that can help too. Pray about it. Yeah, I’d be pretty disturbed by a church using Osteen quotes…ugh.
ThinkingChamber said:
And thank you for the review. I could never bring myself to purchase it.
Laura said:
You are welcome. Yeah, I don’t like to “support” a problematic author by buying their book. I check out of library, borrow, or acquire in some other way. This one I found in the donation bin for my church library – unfortunately. We don’t need this book in the church library.
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aiwwentimotai said:
The bible says in Proverbs 23:7 that ” For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” and in Proverbs 18:21 that ” Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit”. It very much depends on the attitudes of one’s heart when we approach these teachings. God looks at our hearts.
Anyway, people who practices New age thinking and stuffs like that are just copying teachings from the Bible.They practice the principles, but take God out of the picture. That is the difference between followers of Christ and New agers etc. We must approach the topic with the right attitude and intention of the heart or else everyone of us is potentially able to turn the teachings in the Bible into some “get rich, feel good …etc New age teachings. Our perceptions of things can sometimes be tainted and changed. As such, we can sometimes see things through tainted “glasses”. Just like changing different shades of sunglasses will cause us to see things in different colours. See through a pair of red coloured glasses, and every thing will appear red. See through a blue tinted one, and everything will appear blue. Remove the tinted glasses and everything becomes clear.
Laura said:
Well, yes, “We must approach the topic with the right attitude and intention of the heart or else everyone of us is potentially able to turn the teachings in the Bible into some “get rich, feel good…etc, New Age teachings.” – That is EXACTLY what Joel Osteen and other positivity and prosperity gospel teachers have done. Osteen, and other similar teachers, have approached the Bible incorrectly and made it all about feeling good, success, etc.
New Age principles are contradicted by the Bible.
I think it is very important to read the Bible in context. For example:
Read in context, Proverbs 23:6-7 has nothing to do with the power of our thoughts. On the contrary, it is a warning against deceptive motives of the heart. An individual may do something generous, yet be inwardly stingy, and possess ulterior motives for their generosity.
We do need proper hearts and attitudes, but our hearts can deceive us. We are sinful. The Bible should inform and guide our hearts. We need the truths of the Bible and Holy Spirit to “correct” us, as we can so easily go wrong.
Osteen, in this book, has allowed non-biblical, even occultic teachings (historically at least) to alter his approach to the Bible. He often takes verses out of context and grossly misinterprets them.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
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Rachel Nichols said:
Congratulations! A lot of people–Christians–lack the discernment to see the problems with J.O.’s teachings. I was disgusted by Your Best Life Now. I bought it, thinking it contained practical advice on holy living. It did not.
Laura said:
Thanks Rachel for perusing my blog and commenting on several posts. Yes, the lack of discernment is concerning…
Dustytoes said:
Joel Osteen depresses me by making me think there is something wrong with me because I don’t get all these wonderful blessings he insists I will have simply by believing they are coming! I gave up on him a while ago.
Laura said:
Yes, these types of teachings can lead to disillusionment…about church, the Bible, Christianity. Christianity promised, but did not deliver.
We need to look to Christ, and the real truths and hope found in the Scripture. Ephesians 1 and 2 are great chapters to read about all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ as we live in this world.
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