Truth and Lies

 For though we walk in the flesh, 

we do not war according to the flesh. 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, 

bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I have discovered, as I am sure you have, that it is so much easier to believe a lie than truth! The crazy thing is I think sometimes we prefer the lie over the truth. Why? To be completely honest, as painful as this is to admit, self pity satisfies some fleshy part of us. Believing we are worthless and dwelling on our shortcomings and failures is something we can hold onto and carry through out the whole of our lives if we so chose.  Believing the truth that Christ has made us free from the bonds of sin is an attack on our love affair with self pity!  But it's time to end this dysfunctional relationship with self pity and accept Christ's love!

Jesus is the way the truth and the life it says in John 14:6.  On the reverse of that scripture we see that before we come to know Jesus we are traveling down the wrong path and believing a lie and it leads to death.  

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)

Sounds so simple doesn't it? But it is the hardest thing to do sometimes! The act of believing means taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ! Every single tiny miniscule insignificant thought must be taken captive and washed in the light of God's truth! Wow, that is a lot of work! Yep, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Phil 4:13) Do you believe that? Because if you don't believe you can do all things through Christ who strengthen's you then you've already lost the battle!

Trust is hard for us fearful humans to do! I know my own issues with trusting. Pain and heartache in our relationships with other people wear us down. We see how people have failed us and believe the only person we can count on is ourselves. Let me just assure you right now, this is a big LIE! There is One we can trust above everyone, Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the life. He will never lead us astray He will never let us down an HE will never leave us! But we can leave Him... We can chose ourselves over Him. We can create any belief we want to in our own minds and convince ourselves we are right. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

Neil T. Anderson says in his book, The Bondage Breaker, "It is your individual responsibility as a believer to repent and believe the truth that will set you free. Nobody else can do that for you. I can't put on the armor of God for you, believe for you, repent for you, forgive others for you, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ for you."  Lets face the truth! WE ARE NOT GODS! We didn't create ourselves and we certainly can't save ourselves, so lets look to the One who can!

Lord You know these spiritual struggles we face everyday! You made a way for us to be victorious in everything we face. You gave us Your Son, You gave us the Holy Spirit and Your Word, help us to put on the whole armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6:10-18. God with You we needn't fear because Your perfect love cast out all fear! Lord Your ways are perfect and good give us the desire to be obedient to believe the truth instead of the lie!

The Whole Armor of God

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
(Ephesians 6:10-18)



 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things!

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 
(Philippians 4:6-8)