Everyday our character comes under attack; the question is do we have the truth to address the lies thrown at us?
The first 7 below are from last weekend's service at Destiny. There are 8 more added to them for personal study. There are countless other things that attack our character, but I see a few on the list below that I know will keep me busy for a while.
Taking specific truths from God’s Word and addressing those specific lies is key to victory. Here are some of the prevalent lies that attack our hearts… and a starting point from Scripture. Truth should be vocalized (spoken), personalized, prayed, and meditated on.
John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Lies that Attack Our Character
Pervasive Thoughts (sins in our thinking)
The Lie – I can’t help what I think about
The Truth – Our hearts follow what we feed them
Col 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Besetting Sins
The lie – I can manage the outcome of sin
The truth – wherever there is sin, there is death
James 1:15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Lying/Exaggeration/Deception
The Lie - We believe a lie can get us something or somewhere the truth can’t
The Truth – a lie works against what God wants to do in me
Col 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Unforgiveness
The Lie – We can’t forgive, or they don’t deserve it - so I refuse to.
The Truth – we forgive, because Christ forgave us
Col 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Pride
The lie – It’s ok to play God
The Truth – We are to be the hands and heart of God
Jer 9:23 – 24 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,”
Greed
The Lie – there’s not enough, I have to take all I can
The Truth – Hoarding brings poverty, sharing brings prosperity.
Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
Relationships
The Lie – I’ll influence them, they won’t rub off on me
The Truth - The company you keep, determines the direction you go.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Possibility of Personal Change
The lie – Meaningful, lasting change, can’t happen to me
The Truth – Anything is possible for God
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Authority
The Lie - If I don’t agree with the rule, I don’t have to keep it
The Truth – God is the one who establishes authority
Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Selfishness
The lie – my things are most important
The Truth – we should look out for the needs of others before our own
Phil 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Materialism
The Lie – As soon as I get "x,y,or z" I’ll be content
The Truth - Prosperity without character is devastation.
Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and lies far from me give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Speech
The Lie – I can’t help what I say
The Truth – Words give life or death
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Anger / Revenge
The lie – I deserve to see them get what they’ve got coming
The Truth - Our anger never accomplishes God’s will
James 1:19-29 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Majority Rule
The Lie – The majority must be right and we should follow a crowd
The Truth – God has set you apart
Gal 1:15-16 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,
Work Ethic
The Lie – Minimum effort is permissible as long as minimum responsibilities are met.
The Truth – We work for God, not money or man
Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
Thank you, Pastor Mike, I need to read this again and again and again.
Posted by: Pat | October 24, 2011 at 12:52 PM