Why Can't I Make 'I AM' Affirmations?
Welcome to Living Word Cast!
I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
Today, we’re tackling a topic that has been circulating in many circles—especially in the world of self-help and modern-day affirmations—where people claim statements like "I am saved," "I am blessed," "I am redeemed," and "I am righteous." While these sound positive and uplifting on the surface, I want to challenge you today by asking: Why can’t I make these 'I AM' affirmations? Are we taking something from God when we claim these things for ourselves? Let's explore what Scripture has to say.
Scripture Reference: Our starting point today is a phrase that we often see in Scripture: "I AM." This phrase is used many times in the Bible, but there’s one instance where it holds an especially profound meaning. In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks God what His name is, God replies, “I AM WHO I AM.” This self-revelation of God is profound, and it’s a statement of His eternality, self-sufficiency, and unchangeable nature. God is the only being who can use the phrase "I AM" in this absolute, unqualified sense.
Why Can't We Say 'I Am' in a Self-Affirming Way?
The 'I AM' Belongs to God Alone: The phrase "I AM" is sacred because it is directly tied to God's identity. When God told Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM," He was declaring that He is the eternal, self-existent Creator. To take that phrase upon ourselves in an affirmation like "I am saved," or "I am righteous," is a dangerous misstep. It elevates ourselves to a position that only God holds. In John 8:58, Jesus makes a similar claim: "Before Abraham was, I AM." Jesus directly connects Himself to this divine title, emphasizing that He, as God incarnate, is the fulfillment of this identity.
Our Identity is in Christ, Not Ourselves: When we say "I am saved" or "I am righteous," we are missing a key part of our salvation. It’s not about what we are in and of ourselves but about what Christ has done for us. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, it says, “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” We can only claim righteousness because of Christ’s work on the cross. Our identity is found in Him, not in the affirmations we speak about ourselves.
Danger of Pride and Self-Reliance: When we declare things like "I am blessed," "I am redeemed," or "I am righteous," we risk falling into a mindset of pride and self-reliance. We are inherently putting our faith in ourselves and our words instead of in the grace and sovereignty of God. The Bible consistently teaches us that we are nothing without God. As Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." The very blessings we affirm come from God alone, not from our own declarations.
God's Word is the Source of Our Affirmation: The Bible makes it clear that it is by God's Word that we find truth, not by speaking our own words into existence. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." But this power is not in our words; it's in the words that align with God’s will. Instead of affirming our own identities with “I am” statements, we should align our words with God's truths. Instead of saying “I am righteous,” we should proclaim, “By the grace of God, I am made righteous through Jesus Christ.”
