Today, let’s continue our review of Dr. Chris Thurman’s book entitled “The Lies We Believe,” as we identify some common lies we believe about others (from chapter 5), and the corresponding biblical truths that displace those lies and lead to freedom.

1) People can meet all of my needs (a lie).  But the truth is:

• Only God can meet all of my needs.  So, I must rely on Him.
  • Psalm 28:7 HCSB  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.

2) Others should accept me just the way I am (a lie).  But the truth is:

• People need to accept each other, but challenge one another to grow.
  • Proverbs 27:17 HCSB  Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
• I am to be accountable to fellow believers, and open to change based on their feedback.
  • Galatians 6:1-2 HCSB  Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won't be tempted.  (2)  Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 
• I am to be open and vulnerable to trustworthy believers.
  • James 5:16 HCSB  Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

3) To get along, everyone needs to think, feel, and act the same way (a lie).  But the truth is:

• People are God's masterpieces and designed to be unique.
  • Psalm 139:1-3 HCSB  LORD, You have searched me and known me.  (2)  You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away.  (3)  You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways.
• We are one body (the body of Christ) with many members - each with a role.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:14, 17-18 HCSB  So the body is not one part but many.  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  (18)  But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.

4) Others are more messed up than me (a lie).  But the truth is:

• I should first examine myself before I point out other people's issues.
  • Matthew 7:3-5 HCSB  Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye but don't notice the log in your own eye?  (4)  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, there's a log in your eye?  (5)  Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

5) People who hurt me have to earn my forgiveness (a lie).  But the truth is:

• People cannot earn my forgiveness, nor should I require this of them.
  • Colossians 3:13 AMPC  Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardon each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
• I am to forgive, as God has forgiven me, so that bitterness will not develop.
  • Ephesians 4:31-32 HCSB  All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.  (32)  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
• Any unforgiveness I harbor in my heart will impede the flow of God's forgiveness to me.
  • Mark 11:25 NASB  "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
• If I have feelings of anger toward someone, I should ask for God's help in evaluating those feelings.  My feelings of anger are sometimes a warning of a threat to personal safety.  But usually they are an indicator of unyielded rights.  I am to give my expectations to God, following the example of Jesus.
  • Philippians 2:5-8 HCSB  Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,  (6)  who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.  (7)  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form,  (8)  He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

6) People only think about themselves.  If others do something kind, they always want something in return (a lie).  But the truth is:

• I am to treat others the same way that I want to be treated.  I am to expect the best of persons' actions and motives, because that is the way I want to be treated.
  • Matthew 7:12 NASB  In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (the Golden Rule)

O God, when we find ourselves thinking one of these lies, please bring to our mind the corresponding biblical truths that will displace the lie and lead us to the freedom that You have designed for us to walk in – by the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit.