I recently came across an ad on Instagram for a “Christian” author that was promoting that vision boards are Biblical. She even quoted scripture to back up her viewpoint. Many people use vision boards as a tool to set goals, dreams and future plans. Sometimes they’re used to declare wishes that a person wants to come true, such as; “I’m going to be picked for the next promotion” or “my next career move is going to make me rich.” A vision board helps people to stay focused and not get discouraged.
The concern with vision boards is that serious questions have to be addressed by all Christians because we have to make sure it lines up with scripture. However, the supposed “power” behind vision boards is the power that they supposedly possess only seems to apply in certain areas of the world. For example, if a poor widow from a war torn country like Syria were to make a vision board that focused on being on an island like Oahu, would it come to pass? If a quadriplegic envisioned himself running and winning the next triathlon, would it be possible?
This type of message is very similar to that of the false teaching of the prosperity gospel, shared by false teachers like Joel Olsteen, Kenneth Copeland, Paula White and T.D. Jakes. There are many more that follow this false teaching, leading thousands astray, so don’t be received by them.. Now, let’s take a look at what scripture tells us. In Luke 9:23 it reads, “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The vision board concept certainly contradicts the words of Jesus because its focus is primarily to focus on self. It welcomes whatever desire that is pleasing to the eyes, the body and the wants of a person. A familiar yet powerful technique that was used by Satan in the Garden of Eden and is still used today because it still works. Luckily, we read in I John 2:16, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.” We are instead told in Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
it is easy to see how vision boards can be used as a substitute for God. They are all about promoting the God of self, self esteem, self actualization, self indulgence. It keeps the hearts of people focused only on what they want, instead of what God wants. Positive affirmations are a great way to feel uplifted, but are crossing into an danger zone because it places us in the position of taking control of our own life, instead of asking God what His will is for our life. In Jeremiah 29:11 we are told, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” God knows best and would never lead us in a path that would lead to self destruction. Repackaged liesfrom the enemy should be avoided at all costs and looking to God’s Word for guidance should be our first option.
Instead, use scriptures to focus on and pray for the Lord to guide you, after all, He knows the end result of every single one of our choices, so why not put our future into His hands?
Giving God The Glory 