Pastors and ministry leaders might be familiar with the term “toxic positivity” or have seen it firsthand. It’s called “toxic” for a reason, but there’s more to this term than meets the eye. There could be a stealthy set of spiritual beliefs that are influencing this behavior.
New Thought influences may be subtly impacting the beliefs and behaviors of congregants. Cloaked with Christian terminology and misapplied Scriptures, New Thought (not to be confused with New Age) focuses on positive thinking and “manifesting” good things into your life through the power of thought. On a secular level, it’s America’s “powerful positive thinking” movement with Jesus as its mascot.
How much of toxic positivity is influenced by New Thought? If there’s no direct influence, are there similarities? Here are four ways I believe this poison has crept into the Christian church and some possible ways New Thought might be a common denominator:
1. Affirmations as Faith Formulas
Imagine some congregants pray in the affirmative: “I am healthy. I am favored! I have seeds of greatness in me.” This doesn’t seem wrong and might even sound biblical. But something seems… off. Affirmations—repeated positive statements—have become popular in Christian circles. While they can seem helpful, affirmations can also bring misunderstanding to how faith and prayer actually work.
The “formula” of affirmations, or the way they are uniquely phrased, might be what is making your “Spidey senses” tingle. There is good reason for this. Affirmations originated with the New Thought movement. In essence, they are New Thought prayers. The idea isn’t to ask. You speak in the affirmative, as if it were something you already have and you’re claiming it—a subtle shift that changes the focus from God’s will to our own desired outcome.
Action Point: Educate your congregation on the history of affirmations, particularly their roots in New Thought, and compare them to biblical prayer. Teach that while we can affirm truths about God’s nature and his promises, the outcome remains in his hands. Encourage them to pray with confidence in God’s power and goodness while also leaving room for his wisdom.
2. Health and Wealth
Another unsuspecting component of New Thought is the prosperity gospel, which teaches that if you have enough faith, God will bless you with health, wealth, and success. This also fosters a “Name it and Claim it” mentality, where your thoughts and words have power to affect your circumstances.
The prosperity gospel is surprisingly influenced by New Thought more than most people realize, but one aspect stands out. These prosperity teachings are similar to New Thought’s “Law of Attraction,” which says that positive thinking and speaking will bring you good things, especially health and wealth. In some churches, there’s a heavy focus on getting blessings instead of being content throughout life’s real struggles. This can create an environment where people feel entitled to health and wealth. But what are the consequences of this? Can you imagine your children believing that, as their parent, you’re obligated to grant their every request without question—and that saying “no” isn’t an option if they believe and declare (demand) hard enough?
Action Point: Teach that while God does bless His people, blessings are not always financial or material. Reinforce that the true reward of faith is our relationship with God, not a guaranteed “good life” by worldly standards.
3. Too Much Focus on ‘Personal Power’
Alongside the common sermon topics on asking for help, admitting fault, and being accountable, there can be a lot of talk about being strong, having power, and being able to control things in your life, which can lead people to think they shouldn’t admit when they’re struggling or need help.
New Thought teaches that you have the power within yourself, which encourages over-the-top self-reliance. There can be a temptation to think that all control and power is within yourself, even as a Christ-follower. Though there’s truth to this on the surface, the danger is Christians rely solely on themselves and mistake their own desires or strength for God’s will. We must recognize we only have a certain level of control and power.
Action Point: Lead by example in showing vulnerability and reliance on God’s strength, especially in times of weakness. Balance messages of empowerment with reminders that all power ultimately comes from God.
4. Dismissing Legitimate Fears
Phrases like “faith over fear” are often used to encourage trust in God, but they can also make people feel like their genuine fears or concerns are wrong. Instead of facing grief, trauma, or even tough questions about life, they might throw around Bible verses about joy or victory, dismissing legitimate issues.
In New Thought, fear is considered a low-energy emotion that attracts bad things, which can make people feel guilty for having normal human emotions. Anything “negative” can be seen as being foundational in fear, the most negative frequency. This is why you don’t get your blessings.
Action Point: Define “fear” in a biblical and secular sense. Remind your congregation that fear is a human experience and that God’s response is not condemnation but assurance. Foster an environment where people can bring fears to God and to the community for support.
What Christian Leaders Can Do
Challenge those under your leadership to embrace a faith that acknowledges both the mountaintop and valley experiences. Equip them with a balanced approach that validates human emotions, recognizes God’s sovereignty over blessings, and encourages dependence on him. In your preaching and discipleship, offer a theology that supports both joy and sorrow, celebration and lament. Create a church community that embodies a deep, authentic faith rooted in the whole counsel of Scripture, and educate on counterfeit spiritualities like New Thought that masquerades as a fuller Christian experience but is really a false Jesus and a false gospel.
