We live in a fearful age. We are concerned about disease, economic collapse, and terrorism. However, one of my greatest fears is the fear of believing a lie. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). If knowing the truth sets you free, then believing a lie will place you in bondage.
Of course, there have always been lies and liars, but consider the obvious fact that you hear more lies than any generation which has ever lived. For one thing, there are more people in the world than ever before, so odds are more lies are being told. Then we have modern technology, telephones, television, radio, Internet, and social media that makes it much easier for lies to be spread. Millions, dare I say billions, are reached with that which is false and deceptive every day. One little lie can fall on an unprecedented number of undiscerning ears. Now, since lies can put us in bondage and even destroy us, it makes it easy to put my fear into perspective.
I believe the vast majority of Christians are suffering the consequences of believing lies. The consequences of accepting a lie will limit our usefulness in the Kingdom and can also lead to broken relationships, fear, depression, and guilt.
Children are born with a predisposition to believe the adults in their life. That is one reason it is so easy to convince them of the existence of the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. The child’s survival usually depends on the dependability and integrity of an adult. Of course, that predisposition begins to deteriorate if he is constantly deceived. Or even worse, the child who is reared to believe all adults are to be trusted in spite of his knowledge of their lies, will likely grow into a gullible, undiscerning, and easily deceived adult.
We Often Believe Our Own Lies!
Human beings are masters of self-deception. We talk ourselves into believing things that are not only false, but also illogical and dumb. Atheists, for example, are masters of their own self-deception. The Lord spoke of man’s tremendous ability to believe a lie while rejecting obvious truth. “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not” (John 8:45).
We are prone to lie to ourselves about most everything. Tragically, we lie to ourselves so much, sometimes I am not sure we are even aware of it. For example: “I want a certain brand of tennis shoe because they will help me jump higher,and if I get a new sports car I will really be cool.” We are naive to the point that we can be completely unaware of the rampant lying going on in our own minds.
Some have convinced themselves that all they need to make them happy is a better house or another spouse. I have also known people who have accepted vicious lies about themselves. They believed they were hopeless, that they could never change, that nothing they do really mattered, that they don’t deserve love, happiness, justice, mercy, or a million other things. They were trapped by the lies they told themselves. Others believe they are not capable, or they don’t have the resources to accomplish anything worthwhile in life.
Some hold other people responsible for their pain. Others have called wrong right for so long that they constantly clamor to prove their lie is correct. To them, being wrong is unthinkable and they will go to any length to demonstrate their rightness. Not only do we lie to ourselves, we also manipulate ourselves to base our actions upon the lie. Sometimes, as often seen in politicians, it can get so bad as to convince ourselves of two opposing lies and then be foolish enough to believe them both!
We need to realize how deceptive we can be to ourselves. We tell ourselves lies, half-truths, and anything but the pure truth every day. These lies make us blind to our own amazing opportunities. They destroy our self-esteem, crush our self-confidence, and leave us looking for self-worth everywhere except the right place.
Although lying about others can do much damage, perhaps the most damaging lies are the lies we tell ourselves. We live in denial of who we are and what we are capable of. So, our biggest battles for truth may not come from the liar who lives down the street but may come from our own minds. What I believe to be true about God, others, and myself, shape my interpretation of life’s opportunities and events.
Since self-deception happens in the subconscious mind, and lying by its very nature will mask itself as truth: How do we know when we are lying to ourselves? Obviously, you can’t simply ask yourself whether you are lying because you have already mastered lying to yourself. So, how do you know when you are deceiving yourself?
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the sources of our thoughts and to give us the ability to recognize the lies that present themselves as truth. Jesus told us that “When the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Ask Him to show you if there are any lies at work in your life that may be causing you fear or pain. Ask Him to give you wisdom to discern the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error.
Of Course, I’m Not the Only Liar in the World!
If God offered me a choice of two super powers, I might choose the power to always make the right decisions (imagine the power of having that gift even for one hour), and next I might choose the power to always discern the liars from the truth-tellers. Wouldn’t it be cool to walk around in public places, eavesdrop on conversations, and know immediately if someone is lying or speaking the truth? I could visit the halls of Congress or listen to the words of our President and quickly expose the deception and verify the truth.
I would go to social events and exercise my gift. I could add a new dynamic to weddings by my very presence. I could sit in the courtrooms and know instantly if the witness was lying or telling the truth. Of course, such a hero with this super power would not be liked very well. It is unlikely I would be invited to many social events—even funerals. I would not even be welcomed in most churches. Why? Because people lie all the time, and most really don’t want to hear the truth.
There are the lies of lovers, the lies of advertisers, the lies of businesses, the lies of theologians, and the lies of government. In fact, in today’s culture, the very definition of being a politically correct and nice person often hinges on being the biggest liar. After all, you shouldn’t say anything to offend anyone.
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do, he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
John 8:44
Jesus clearly revealed Satan’s intentions: “The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10). Satan’s ultimate goal is to promote death and destruction; and spreading lies and empowering liars helps him achieve his evil goal.
But, if he can persuade us to accept his whispered lies as truth, those thoughts and ideas become part of who we are, how we feel, and how we act.
So, it is our job to learn which of these millions of ideas that cross our minds should be accepted, and which should be rejected. Believing lies will tend to separate us from God and make us feel powerless, and hopeless. The more we yield to the lies, the more we pull away from God and become confused about who we are and how we are to live.
The more we believe these lies, the more complicated, confusing, and unhealthy our life and relationships become. With enough lies, we can even silence the voice of the Holy Spirit.
So, I must learn to recognize the source from which any thought originates. Was it a truth that originates with the Holy Spirit, or is it a lie from the father of lies? Thoughts are always drifting through our minds and initially we may have no idea where these thoughts come from; but if we accept them, they will affect our emotions and behavior. They can destroy our families, our testimonies, and our peace. These thoughts have to be analyzed, evaluated, and given their proper credit. We must learn to discern the lies from the truths.
All lies and deceptions spring from Satan’s own heart. By uncovering those lies and exposing them for what they are, we can begin to live in the truth while we destroy the works of the devil.
If you are a Christian, God lives within you; the Spirit of Whom Jesus said will “guide you in all truth.” Give Him liberty to do His work in you. Listen to His voice. There are so many voices clamoring for our attention that God has a hard time getting through today, but we must be attentive to the sound of His voice. Fear God, for that is the beginning of knowledge. Walk in truth. Over and over again the Scriptures give us warning to “be not deceived.”
So, just like everyone else I have certain fears, however, my biggest fear is that I will believe a lie. Perhaps my fear is stronger because I am a pastor; therefore I may lead others astray. I don’t know the exact reason, but I know the fear is real. I fear I may fall for the lie I tell myself, or I may accept some else’s lie as the truth. Either way, it will be an instrument the devil can use to hinder my usefulness to our Lord.
As perfect love casts out fear and as the Holy Spirit guides me in all truth, I will continue my labor holding fast to the truth of God.