If I see something I like and want, can I confess it is mine and expect this confession to draw it unto me? If I see something evil and disturbing, can I confess that evil rules? 

It is important to distinguish between the scriptural confession of genuine faith and such things as wishful thinking or irreverent presumption or some kind of “mind-over-matter” philosophy.

Special thanks to Derek Prince and his book, Blessing or Curse, which I drew heavily from in developing this blog.

Scriptural confession is distinctive in these three ways

1. Confession in the biblical sense is limited to the statements and promises of the Bible. It consists in saying with our mouths what God has already said in His Word. Beyond this confession cannot go.
2. Confession is also limited by the conditions attached to any particular promises. The great majority of the promises in the Bible are conditional. God says, in effect, “If you will do this, then I will do that.” If we have not done the appropriate “this,” then we have no right to expect that God will do the corresponding “that.” Confession is valid only if the appropriate conditions have been fulfilled. It is never a substitute for obedience.
3. Confession is effective only if it proceeds from faith in the heart, which is given by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:9). Your faith rests in God Himself (Rom. 4:20-21).

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:10).

Your confession reveals what is in your heart

The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matt. 12:34-37).

The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell (Jas. 3:5-6).

In most situations of life, we have three possibilities

1. Make a positive, scriptural confession, and release the ministry of Jesus to help us and to meet our needs.
2. Make no confession, and be at the mercy of circumstances.
3. Make a negative, unscriptural confession, and expose ourselves to evil, demonic forces.

Hold fast to your confession without wavering

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Heb. 10:23)!