August 5th, 2024
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not one to exaggerate or offer an opinion as fact because I do not ever want to risk sinning (lying). That may make me a little boring if you need to be entertained in order to keep your attention, but I will not say something simply for shock value and definitely not to bring any more attention to myself.
The overarching lesson of this blog is that we need to be careful who we listen to and who we allow to influence and teach us. That statement has always been true, but especially in the days we are living in now. There have always been too many opinions and not enough facts when it comes to any subject; however, there is an epidemic of too many opinions being portrayed as facts these days in our churches and even behind the pulpit.
With social media being part of nearly everyone’s lives, we have been entertained to the point that the actual truth is not glamorous enough so we turn our attention to someone who can scratch our itching ears, or simply keep our attention even if it is not 100% fact. There may be times when we do not realize we are being lied to, so how do we know if we are falling victim to lies? Just in case you did not know, lies are not just the opposite of truth. They are anything that is omitted to change the story, exaggerations that portray something not real or true, giving false information or deceiving another person. This can be done with words or even with actions.
First, let me share an example of how deception can happen, then I will share how to avoid it altogether. I am going to use social media in this example since this is where it can happen most of the time. In one clip there may be a preacher and he is speaking complete biblical truth but he is speaking in a normal tone of voice and is not flashy or trying to get an emotional response. What he is saying is completely biblical and total truth and has a lot of depth to it, and may even be able to change your life and save you from an eternity of hell, but it’s not catchy enough for you to continue listening, so you turn it off and go to another video.
In the next video, there is a preacher stretching the truth and taking scripture out of context and he is very entertaining. Nothing he says glorifies Jesus but everyone is clapping and saying “amen” and seems very excited because he is tugging on their emotions.
I realize those are two extremes, and being flashy doesn’t always mean you are lying, so keep in mind those are just examples. Too many people follow people simply because the person is charismatic and very confident. But here is the difference between the two preachers in the examples: The first preacher is confident in what he is saying because he is confident in Jesus and what the Bible says. The second preacher is confident because he is confident in himself and his abilities to speak and hype people up. The first preacher is trying to get people to follow Jesus and the second preacher is trying to get people to follow him. That is the difference. We should be pointing people to Jesus and the Bible in order to fall in love with Him–ot making them reliant on us or to fall in love with us. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
We allow the world to keep our attention more than God simply because it is entertaining. When we allow that to happen, we do not grow and we are only wasting our time. So how do we avoid this and allow ourselves to be fed and grow spiritual roots?
“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” –2 Corinthians 11:12-15
People did not follow Jesus because He told them what they wanted to hear. They followed Jesus because they wanted to. Not because He was rich and could give them material things or because He always told them how awesome they were and buttered them up. They did not follow Him because he was a showman or took up a lot of space. No! They followed Him because of the love He had for them and the genuine attitude to help them and lead them to a life of peace and contentment. Jesus was humble but spoke truth, He challenged and convicted people to where they wanted to change, but not by manipulation. He was love in the purest form and didn’t expect anything in return and He is still the same today!
We need to be bold and confident but let it come from a good seed and from the Lord Jesus. That is who our confidence should be in when we speak or teach. If that is not enough for people then that is not our problem. We do what we do for the Father in Heaven and our obedience is all He asks for. He does not need us to lie, manipulate, or exaggerate to accomplish the goal at hand which is to win people to Christ. So take the pressure off of yourself and speak the truth and leave everything else up to the Lord.
As Paul wrote to the church of Laodicea, so too will I write to you and end with this scripture, (but I encourage you to read the whole chapter of Colossians 2). It is so relevant for today. “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments” (Colossians 2:4).
The overarching lesson of this blog is that we need to be careful who we listen to and who we allow to influence and teach us. That statement has always been true, but especially in the days we are living in now. There have always been too many opinions and not enough facts when it comes to any subject; however, there is an epidemic of too many opinions being portrayed as facts these days in our churches and even behind the pulpit.
With social media being part of nearly everyone’s lives, we have been entertained to the point that the actual truth is not glamorous enough so we turn our attention to someone who can scratch our itching ears, or simply keep our attention even if it is not 100% fact. There may be times when we do not realize we are being lied to, so how do we know if we are falling victim to lies? Just in case you did not know, lies are not just the opposite of truth. They are anything that is omitted to change the story, exaggerations that portray something not real or true, giving false information or deceiving another person. This can be done with words or even with actions.
First, let me share an example of how deception can happen, then I will share how to avoid it altogether. I am going to use social media in this example since this is where it can happen most of the time. In one clip there may be a preacher and he is speaking complete biblical truth but he is speaking in a normal tone of voice and is not flashy or trying to get an emotional response. What he is saying is completely biblical and total truth and has a lot of depth to it, and may even be able to change your life and save you from an eternity of hell, but it’s not catchy enough for you to continue listening, so you turn it off and go to another video.
In the next video, there is a preacher stretching the truth and taking scripture out of context and he is very entertaining. Nothing he says glorifies Jesus but everyone is clapping and saying “amen” and seems very excited because he is tugging on their emotions.
I realize those are two extremes, and being flashy doesn’t always mean you are lying, so keep in mind those are just examples. Too many people follow people simply because the person is charismatic and very confident. But here is the difference between the two preachers in the examples: The first preacher is confident in what he is saying because he is confident in Jesus and what the Bible says. The second preacher is confident because he is confident in himself and his abilities to speak and hype people up. The first preacher is trying to get people to follow Jesus and the second preacher is trying to get people to follow him. That is the difference. We should be pointing people to Jesus and the Bible in order to fall in love with Him–ot making them reliant on us or to fall in love with us. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
We allow the world to keep our attention more than God simply because it is entertaining. When we allow that to happen, we do not grow and we are only wasting our time. So how do we avoid this and allow ourselves to be fed and grow spiritual roots?
- Know your Bible and what God’s Word says. Read it every day.
- Pray for discernment so you recognize when someone is not preaching 100% truth.
- Do not believe what someone says just because they say it with confidence. Research it for yourself.
- Do not allow people to influence you just because they make you feel good or guilt trip you. That is called manipulation.
“And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” –2 Corinthians 11:12-15
People did not follow Jesus because He told them what they wanted to hear. They followed Jesus because they wanted to. Not because He was rich and could give them material things or because He always told them how awesome they were and buttered them up. They did not follow Him because he was a showman or took up a lot of space. No! They followed Him because of the love He had for them and the genuine attitude to help them and lead them to a life of peace and contentment. Jesus was humble but spoke truth, He challenged and convicted people to where they wanted to change, but not by manipulation. He was love in the purest form and didn’t expect anything in return and He is still the same today!
We need to be bold and confident but let it come from a good seed and from the Lord Jesus. That is who our confidence should be in when we speak or teach. If that is not enough for people then that is not our problem. We do what we do for the Father in Heaven and our obedience is all He asks for. He does not need us to lie, manipulate, or exaggerate to accomplish the goal at hand which is to win people to Christ. So take the pressure off of yourself and speak the truth and leave everything else up to the Lord.
As Paul wrote to the church of Laodicea, so too will I write to you and end with this scripture, (but I encourage you to read the whole chapter of Colossians 2). It is so relevant for today. “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments” (Colossians 2:4).
1 Comment
thank you