2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
What is the often-repeated lie of all time? “I have read and accepted the terms and conditions.” Lol
The world is masterful at presenting counterfeit products as the genuine articles. We are all susceptible to believing lies and deceptive doctrines. But as Christians, we care about the Truth. We want to know the Truth, live the Truth, and teach the Truth. However, and unfortunately, many Christians over the years have fallen victim to some reoccurring lies. But the good news is, if something is predictable it should be preventable. So, in this blog post I am going to point out some predictable lies that many Christians have fallen for so that we don’t make the same mistakes. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Lie #1- Church is Not Necessary.
If you are following Jesus, you will follow Him to church. When you love Jesus, you will love what Jesus loves and Jesus loves His church. God created us for community. God created us to be a part of the Body of Christ. There are no lone ranger Christians… Even the Lone Ranger needed Tonto!
Going to church or being a member of a church doesn’t save you or keep you saved but church is critical for our spiritual growth and maturation. It is within your faith family that you are encouraged, challenged, equipped, and prayed for and you do the same for others. You need the church, and the church needs you!
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ,
Lie #2- All God Wants from a Christian is for Them to Be Good and to Be Nice.
Obviously, God doesn’t want His children to do bad things or to be unkind. But Christianity is so much more than that! One preacher said, “If Christianity was just about not cussing, drinking, and smoking then my old hound dog would be the best Christian I know.”
Christianity is more than just behavior modification. Walking with the Lord is more than moralistic therapeutic deism. Christianity is about living a crucified life. Christianity is about being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Christianity is about worshipping and working for the Lord. Christianity is not simply turning over a new leaf but receiving a new life!
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Lie #3- God Doesn’t Really Care About the “Small” Things.
Somewhere along the line we convinced ourselves that God has got a lot on His plate and a lot of other people to take care of…. So, we don’t want to bother him with our problems. We will often pray for others or even pray for the big things in our life, but we try to take care of the “small” things in our own understanding and ability.
However, the Bible is clear that God wants to be invited and involved in every area of your life. If something is important to you it is important to God! You will never approach God in your thoughts and prayers and hear Him say “Oh…. it’s just you again” or “really? Why don’t you talk to me about something significant?”. No, my friends! The God of the universe who heaped up the mountains, scooped out the ocean, and flung the stars into space wants to relate to you on a personal level.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save [a]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Lie #4- We Believe Only Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries Can Really Serve God.
God accomplishes His Kingdom work through both the “Pros” and the “Joes”. You don’t have to have the first name of Pastor to serve God. Every Christian is a minster. You are saved to serve not sit. You do not need a seminary degree or a title to serve God.
A person who is not in “vocational ministry” has a distinct advantage. When a pastor serves, ministers, prays, shares the Gospel etc. the people being ministered to often think to themselves “that’s just their job, they are supposed to say/do that” but when somebody who is not being paid or carries a title does the very same things the people being ministered to often think to themselves “they must really believe in Jesus to be willing to say/do that”. In short, pastors are often viewed as “professional salesman” while committed Christians who are not pastors are often viewed as “satisfied customers”.
Romans 12:1 I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service.
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Lie #5- God Just Wants Me to Be Happy.
This may come as a surprise to you… but God is much more concerned with your holiness than with your happiness and God is much more interested in your character than your comfort. Happiness is dependent on external happenings and is often fleeting but joy is dependent upon Jesus and can be experienced even during difficult circumstances and experiences. In reality, God allows adversity for the purpose of drawing us into great dependance upon Him. The things in life that don’t make us “happy” are often just the things we need to develop our faith and to give us a greater ministry.
If you seek happiness, you will never obtain it… it will always be elusive and just out of reach. But if you seek Jesus, you will find what this world can never offer. If you aim for heaven, you will get earth thrown in but if you aim for earth, you will miss both!
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [a]mammon.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Which of these 5 lies have you believed in the past or are currently struggling with now? I would love to hear from you. How has God used this article to challenge you think?
If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:
1- Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org
2- Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org
3- Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.
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5- Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”