Consider the power of a single belief.
“The more money I keep for myself the better my life will be.”
Even if you’ve never said it out loud and even if you don’t consciously think this thought very often – consider how powerful this idea is if, deep down, you believe it. Our culture certainly believes and preaches this doctrine. Have we taken the bait? Have we swallowed this belief? What does the Bible say?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35
What if we lived based on this conviction? How would this affect the way we spend our time, energy and money?
How about this belief:
“I can handle things best by myself.”
Another very American idea. “You’ve got this.” Remember the “I’m good,” commercials from a while ago? A guy cracks his head on an overpass but in such a manly way says, “I’m good.” Deep down, are you convinced that you are the only person you can trust? What does the Bible say?
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Ephesians 4:15-16
Do we really believe that every part of the body of Christ is vital to its overall functioning? If we did believe that, how would it change our day to day practices?
Consider this belief:
“I’m useless. Nothing I do will make any difference.”
If you’ve ever had that thought, where do you think it came from? Who has the motive and opportunity to convince a blood-bought follower of Jesus that he or she is worthless? The devil’s mission is to steal and kill and destroy. If he can get us to believe lies like this it will cripple our effectiveness for the kingdom of God. What does the Bible say?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
“Workmanship” means masterpiece. It’s a collective statement about the whole body of Christ, but it applies by extension to every single believer. God ordained specific good works for each of us – specific people you are called to love and serve and reach with the gospel; specific needs you are uniquely designed to address.
Be reminded of the song God the Father sings over you since you are His beloved son or daughter!
How about this belief:
“I’m a sinner. I’m disgusting.”
The devil’s favorite lies are mostly true. All of us do sin and all sin is a disgusting offense against God, people and ourselves. But the idea that any single sin or pattern of sin defines you forever is a despicable lie! Look at what the Bible says:
“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Before Jesus we were sinners. We were defined by our selfishness controlled by our evil passions. But God washed us totally clean! Jesus paid for all of our sin – past, present and future. Now we are not in sin (Eph. 2:1) but instead are in Christ (Rom. 8:1)! Paul does not address the “sinners” at Ephesus or Corinth, he wrote to the “saints,” in every city because that is what we are now in Christ.
What lies are you tempted to believe? What are the better promises in God’s Word that correct and cure those lies?
Reject that lie that you can figure this out on your own and plug into a Community Group or a Discipleship Group this week!