Out with the Lies

The hardest lies to detect are usually the ones with just a little bit of truth sprinkled in them.

Lately I’ve found myself listening to some half truths.

Need some examples of half truths? Here’s one: I’m a really good driver. I’ve hardly ever gotten a speeding ticket. Of course, the half truth is that I’ve been pulled over at least a dozen times this year, but managed to doctor my way out of the ticket.

I hate half truths. They have a way of messing with my mind, my faith, my life.

No wonder Satan likes them. They worked on Adam and Eve, and they keep on working today.

I want to share with you 4 half truths that I’ve caught myself believing lately.

1. Fruit is a sign of God’s favor. It’s true that fruit is born out of God’s favor, but it’s easy to fall in the trap of believing that fruit is the main sign of God’s presence and to forget all about pruning and purging. It’s also easy to predetermine what we believe is acceptable fruit and what is not. And if God fails to deliver exactly what we want, we become plagued with doubt and confusion. What if God hasn’t really called me to this work? What if I misheard his voice? Satan’s greatest tool against the believer is to insert doubt about God’s word, leading to discouragement and despair.

2. God cares more about my being with him than my doing for him. While it is true that work flows out of relationship, I believe many believers are wasting their lives watching TiVo while telling themselves that God is not impressed with works. God’s word is full of promises about the works he wants us to do. Read Phil 1:6 and Ephesians 2:10. God’s plan involves you! So get off the couch and start working for Christ – not as a substitute for your time with the Lord, but as an overflow of it!

3. God wants me to lead a happy, peaceful and quiet life. You mean just like Jesus did? Or the disciples? Or Paul the apostle? My point exactly. While I often yearn for a quiet and peaceful life preferably along the shore of southwest Florida or Napa Valley, the truth is that life is messy and people are messy. God does want us to have joy and to be full of peace, but true joy comes from His presence, and not from a series of pleasant circumstances.

4. If God is in it, it will be easy. I read a great paragraph by Brother Yun this week that says it all: “Just because a heavenly calling has come to your life doesn’t mean everything will go smoothly. I would argue that Satan only attacks those plans that he knows originate from God’s throne. Persecution and hardship often come in the form of opposition, slander, criticism, false accusation and pain. People will misunderstand you and doubt your motives and satan will throw many roadblocks in your path to block your progress. Yet God provides comfort and grace as you follow the vision He has given you for Him.”

Start this week by identifying the lies you’re believing and replacing them with the truth.

Nothing defeats Satan faster than a healthy dose of God’s word mixed with unflinching faith.

What are some lies you have been believing?

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