Don't Listen to Lies

"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies 

says to his people:

'Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you,

filling you with futile hopes.

They are making up everything they say.

They do not speak for the LORD.

They keep saying to those who despise my word,

"Don't worry!  The LORD says you will have peace!"

And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, 

they say, "No harm will come your way!"'"

Jeremiah 23:16-17 NLT

There are many false teachers and prophets who claim to be teaching and spreading God's Word.  In reality, however, they are scattering lies. Here are a few examples:

• My happiness and well-being are God's will for me.  God wants me to be happy, healthy and wealthy.
• God's blessing comes in the form of wealth or material goods.  God wants me to be comfortable and to get what I want.  After all, it take money to do ministry in this world.
• I must obey the law (or go to church, dress in nice clothes, not smoke or drink, etc) in order to be saved.  God only saves those who make an effort, only helping those who help themselves.
• God seeks to elevate me in some way.  God wants me to have high self-esteem.
• God is merciful so I need not worry about sin because I am forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  God is not concerned with purity because He understands my weaknesses.

Be careful.  Be wise.  Be shrewd.  I must know God's Word so I can distinguish the lies that are what I want to hear from the Truth that is what I need to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).  

Right Equipment

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,

and the ears of those who hear will listen."

Isaiah 32:3

My husband and I recently enjoyed a movie as a birthday treat and we decided to choose the 3D version of a sequel we both wanted to see.  Upon purchase of the tickets we were each handed a pair of funky glasses needed in order to experience the desired illusion of depth while viewing the film.  During the action, I tried taking off the glasses and was amazed at the contrast.  Without the glasses, the images on the screen appeared blurry and like I had double-vision.  In fact, it was hard to make out what was happening; not a pleasant experience!  As soon as I slipped the glasses back on my face, however, I was returned to the three-dimensional world and the images came to life before my eyes.

This is similar in a way to God's truths.  Without the "special tool" of God's Spirit that comes when I place my life in the hands of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, I won't have discernment and understanding and just won't get it.  His Word will seem a bit blurry and hard to figure out.  The right equipment makes all the difference.

Heroes/Fools.  It's hard to understand why so many would revere someone who behaves so stupidly.  The beliefs of many leaders are out in left field, so far away from rational and morally acceptable thought and behavior that it boggles the mind that they are called "progressive thinkers" or followed as if they are the next great hope.  Or there are organizations that do vile things under the guise of noble or pure intentions and my stomach turns at the thought of their mission.  Or decisions are made that fundamentally change the foundation of our society and the majority blindly applaud without realizing they're praising the demise of the underpinning of a country.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll see through the facade and be able to see the fruit exhibited in order realize the foolishness of the ungodly's actions (Isaiah 32:5).  His Spirit within me will grieve when seeing all who applaud the unprincipled who positions himself strategically in order to further his crooked agenda.  I'll mourn as the multitudes celebrate in the streets at the unthinkable.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able discern the true hero from the fool that is portrayed heroically.

True/False Teachers.  The teachings are off-base, missing the point of Jesus' true identity and His mission in coming to earth.  Instead of sticking to the truth of God's Word, these popular teachers proclaim a different message that appeals to mankind's sin nature, to the desires and passions that come naturally to the flesh.  They say what people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).  It's always heartening and reassuring to be told I can get exactly what I want and that my wants and hopes are at the center of God's attention.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to tell when a teacher is not imparting godly wisdom and knowledge but is appealing to my sin nature, depriving me of the truth I need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (Isaiah 32:6, 2 Peter 3:18) .  Instead of gravitating toward such teachings, I'll be repulsed and run away as fast as I can in the other direction, back to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.  If He and His teachings are not the center, the cornerstone, the foundation, then I have no business following such nonsense.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the true teacher from the false even though they may be widely admired.

Generous/Stingy.  They use others for their own purposes and are driven by selfish ambition instead of a desire to see others grow in their faith.  They may portray themselves as being humble and noble creatures but when getting closer I find they are stingy with their time and resources, focused mainly on what is best for themselves and their own interests.  

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to recognize the difference between a selfish motive and a God-centered one (Isaiah 32:6b-7).  While the reputation may be of one who cares, the reality could be the opposite.  Without the right equipment, however, I could get sucked into the public relations machine where I'll be sold a bill of goods.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the generous from the stingy.

As I make my way through life, I discover the lines between truth and deception can be blurry to say the least.  As the world seems to go mad, following fools as if they were heroes, false teachers like they are the best things since intermittent windshield wipers, or confusing the self-centered for the godly, I'll need to don the right equipment to be able to tell the difference.  Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I'll receive the glasses I need to see the truth so that I can grow in my relationship with Him.  Otherwise, I'll get lost in a field of poppies where I'll fall asleep to the life-giving truth.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, staying sensitive to the discernment He provides.

When do I fall for the deceptive messages of false teachers, ignoring the nagging, uncomfortable feeling within?

How am I unwilling to go against the crowd in order to stay true to Jesus?          

God's Work

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,

stay there in Ephesus so that you may command 

certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer

or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.

Such things promote controversial speculations

rather than advancing God's work--which is by faith.

The goal of this command is love,

which comes from a pure heart

and a good conscience

and a sincere faith.

Some have departed from these and have turned

to meaningless talk.

They want to be teachers of the law,

but they do not know what they are talking about

or what they so confidently affirm."

1 Timothy 1:3-7

One of the biggest problems in the fitness industry is with trainers who have been taught how to put others through a workout but have no experience or background in exercising themselves.  When they try to help someone else to increase their fitness level or prepare for a sport, they have no experience to fall back on.  The only thing they have is book learning without practical knowledge of how things work in practice.  

It's the same in my walk with Christ.  I can read the Bible and learn about His ways, but until I walk with Him, going where He leads me, giving up what gets in the way of my relationship and enduring hardship as I struggle forward in my faith, I have no basis with which to draw from in order to help someone else in their walk.  I can't teach others if I don't have the relationship with God to back it up.

One of the ways to know whether or not this relationship exists is to examine the fruit of my life.  If there is no compassion for those who are hurting, or forgiveness for those who wound me, or patience for the late bloomers, then maybe it's time to check my source.  Am I trying to generate work for God out of my own strength, making things happen that seem right to me, or am I letting God do the work through me?

Love is the hallmark of the life of a believer.  This love, however, cannot be faked or produced on my own.  Instead, it flows freely when I am connected to the source of love who is God Himself. (1 John 4:8)

Pure Heart

Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)  Possessing a heart that desires nothing more than to love God and please Him results in the ability to see evidence of Him in even the smallest of things.

A flooded backyard is seen as evidence that God provides more than enough to satisfy my needs.  The tiny blade of grass peeking up through the brown thatch is received as a sign of the new life I have in Christ.  A male cardinal singing with all his might reminds me that everything that has breath praises the Lord, encouraging me to do the same.

When I love God with all my being, I find that I see the world differently than when I'm concentrated on my own selfish concerns, my wants or on gaining my share of power.  A pure heart desires nothing more than Jesus.

God's love rules in my life when my sole motivation for living is to love God.

Good Conscience

Jiminy Cricket was the helpful and ever-present guide appointed by the Blue Fairy to serve as the wooden boy's conscience in the beloved children's classic Pinocchio.  He struggled throughout the story to get the puppet who wanted to be a real boy to pay attention to him.  Whenever Pinocchio ignored his conscience, he got into trouble.

This reminds me of my own life!  When I listen to that still, small Voice who guides me down paths of righteousness, I feel no guilt and I sleep well at night.  When I go out on my own, however, things begin to fall apart and my conscience is bothered.  I lose that peace that comes with being right with God.

When I love God with all my being, I find that I have nothing to hide and no hidden agenda to conceal.  A good conscience is at peace with God, knowing that I am letting Him be Lord of every part of my life.

God's love rules in my life when my conscience is clear.

Sincere Faith

I laid on my back lifting my hips off the floor and tried to perform the reverse crunches the way the instructor demonstrated.  I thought I had this exercise perfected until the teacher encouraged me to put my hands in the air and hold the top point of the movement for a count of two.  This took leverage and momentum out of the picture and I realized I didn't have the lower abdominal strength to perform the move.

While my effort was sincere, the muscle strength just wasn't there.  It's the same in my walk with the Lord.  Sometimes I make the effort, doing the things I think I should, but when all factors are stripped away leaving only my faith, I often find it comes up lacking.

True faith doesn't doubt when troubles, big or small, come my way because I believe that God is bigger and more powerful.  Genuine faith is not shattered by feelings of despair or depression because I keep in mind that God is always with me.  An earnest belief in God won't fall away when things don't go the way I think they should because I know that He has a plan that can't be ruined.

When I love God with all my being, I find my faith is true as I place my trust in a God whom I know will not let me down.  

God's love rules my life when my faith is sincere.

The work God calls me to in this life is to simply walk with Him, going where He leads me.  This requires a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.  This work of God that takes place in my life results in love.  And that love becomes the hallmark of my life as His child.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let God's love rule in my heart.

When do I do things for the wrong reasons?

How am I insincere in my faith, thinking I've got it all figured out when really I'm placing my trust in my own abilities?

Diligent to the End

"With flattery he will corrupt

those who have violated the covenant,

but the people who know their God

will firmly resist him."

Daniel 11:32

"A lot of churches have not moved with the times."

"It's God's will for you to live in prosperity not in poverty."

"If you want financial blessings you need to sow financially."

"You can make some mistakes but that doesn't make you a sinner."

These are some quotes from a popular pastor and author.  He is very charismatic and his message sounds good on the surface.  For those who are following Jesus and rooted in His Word, however, red flags are waving madly in the air.  There is something off. It isn't quite right.   I must be careful.

I am inundated with positive and inspiring messages on a daily basis.  I am told I can have my best life now, that God is just waiting to send over a truckload of money if only I would believe, and that my destiny is in my hands if I would only follow my heart.  It is easy for me to get off track and start following a belief system that is contrary to God's Word.  The message may be attractive and appealing, it may help to make me feel better about my life, or even serve to bring me out of a time of struggle, but if it's not the truth then I should not be adhering to its principles.

As I read the Bible, I learn that I will be faced with many false teachers in the end times.  It is important for me to be capable of recognizing the falsehoods so that I will be able to resist accepting their teachings as truth and stay diligent to God's ways to the end.  

Rightly Related

I used to own one of those hose reels that conveniently keeps the outdoor hose rolled up on a wheel.  There is a small section of hose that hooks to the faucet and then the longer length of hose connects to the reel.  If that small section is not lined up perfectly with the spigot, it will leak like a sieve, spraying water all over the place.  But, if I carefully align the hose with the spout, it spills not one drop of water. 

In a similar way, I must be rightly related to God in order to receive the flow of living water.  Many times, though, I get off track by following other people, fertilizing an area of sin in my life until it grows so large that it blocks the light of my Savior, or neglecting to pay attention to Him. Placing Him in the proper position as Lord of my life means that everything else will fall into place.  At least it will end up the way He wants it, not the way I imagine it should be.


Lining my life up with God's means desiring Him as my highest priority.  There are many times in my life where doing things for him becomes more important than hanging out with Him, but as Martha found out, "Only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:38-42)  That "thing" is making Jesus my most desirable pursuit. 


How effortless I find myself sliding into a state of perpetual toil for Jesus' sake instead of sitting at His feet.  It is important that I remove all things that distract me from simply living in right relationship with my God.  As Oswald Chambers said, "If you want to be of use to God, get rightly related to Jesus Christ and He will make you of use unconsciously every minute you live."


Living my life connected to the Source is important; not only for production of His fruit, but also for strength to stand strong against deceptive teachings. 


Keeping myself aligned with God gives me the strength to stay diligent to His ways until the end.

Seek to Know Him 

I recently read that employers are utilizing social networking sites to help in their quest to hire quality workers.  Sometimes a perspective employee looks good on paper and in person, but their personal life leaves much to be desired.  The way a person lives their life tells a lot about their values and integrity, inspiring human resource personnel to do a little research.

Much in the same way, if I want to know about God, I need to spend some time doing some digging.  He makes it easy by providing the Bible with all it's teachings and guidance.  Even more, though, God is available to us as followers of Christ.  He does not play games with us, but is readily available to those who are truly trying to find Him.  As He told the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

In order for me to truly know God, I must trust Him, live my life in tandem with Him, or as David said,  taste Him and see that He is good.  Henry Blackaby, pastor and author of Experiencing God, put it this way.  " You will never be satisfied just to know about God.  Really knowing God only comes through experience as he reveals himself to you."

Although employers vicariously become a part of perspective employees lives through the Internet, I cannot do the same in my relationship with God.  Rather, it is my calling to concretely and tangibly invite Him into every part of my life, melding Him into my being so that His Spirit and mine are indistinguishable.  

Seeking to know God intimately is important in my quest to please Him and stay true to Him to the end.

Do What He Says

A professional student is one who loves learning so much, he stays in college indefinitely, earning degree after degree without ever embarking on a career path.  The security of their life as a student is comfortable, making it tempting to continue the learning forever.  Studying and learning new things is wonderful, but it is always with the intention of using the knowledge in some tangible way in the future.  

James talked about the importance of not remaining simply a student of God's Word, but to also put it into practice.  "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says." (James 1:22)

God's Word is useful for many things: teaching me, reprimanding me, correcting my ways and training me in His ways.  (2 Timothy 3:16)  These are all action words, propelling me into deed, not simply an exercise in intellect.  My mind processes the lessons and my body carries them out.  In order for this to happen, I must be fully committed to Him; anything less and I will argue my way out of it, find an excuse to wait until later or justify my present condition.  

Sometimes its easier to do things for God and call it good.  That reminds me of the time a king made a sacrifice to God in order to make up for his disobedience.  When the priest arrived, God gave him the following message: "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22)

In order to please God, I must take Him seriously and follow His ways faithfully.  Then I will be able to distinguish between His and counterfeit teachings.

Doing what God says keeps me too busy in His Kingdom to get distracted by false teachers.

Resisting all the phony messages from teachers who claim to follow God is important in this day and age.  To do so, it is vital that I stay rightly related to God, that I spend my life seeking to know Him, and that I don't just learn but put His lessons into practice.  Then I will be able to firmly resist the corrupt and stay diligent to Him to the end.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will be able to stand firm against all the alluring, ungodly messages inundating my mind.

In what areas am I most susceptible to influence?

When do I seek to do more for God rather than seek to know Him?