The Lies We Believe about GOD

Season 1 Episode 8 - This episode continues our review of the highlights of Dr. Chris Thurman's book entitled "The Lies We Believe."  In this episode, we identify some common lies we may find ourselves believing about God (from chapter 7 of the book), and the corresponding biblical truths that displace those lies and lead to freedom.

"Reflect on This" is the podcast version of short email devotionals I send to my family and friends, where I am sharing the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to the world around me.
 
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Transcript

Today, let’s continue our review of Dr. Chris Thurman’s book entitled “The Lies We Believe,” as we look at chapter 7 to identify some common lies that we may find ourselves believing about GOD, and the corresponding biblical truths that displace those lies and lead to freedom.

 
1) God’s love must be earned (a lie).  But here is a truth to displace this lie:

 God’s love has no dimensions and limitations, and is not conditional.

 1 John 4:8b ESV  God is love.

 Ephesians 3:18 NLT  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

 Romans 5:8 NASB  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 John 3:16 NASB  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

 2) God is mean and vindictive (a lie).  But here are 3 truths to displace this lie:

 God is neither shaming nor condemning.

 Romans 10:11 HCSB  Now the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

 Psalms 25:3 NASB  Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

 God bathes my sins in grace and forgiveness.

 1 John 1:9 NASB  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 Ephesians 1:7 HCSB  We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

 God is good.

 Psalms 86:5 NASB  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

 Psalms 34:8 NASB  O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

 Psalms 145:9 NASB  The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

 
3) God gives us everything we want (a lie).  But the truth is:

 God will give us the gifts He wants us to have.  This implies that He may withhold things that would be bad for us.

 James 1:17 NASB  Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

 Psalms 84:11 NASB  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

 God will give us gifts when He wants us to have them.  We must be patient and wait for Him to act.

 Psalms 27:13-14 ESV  I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!  (14)  Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

 
4) God has lost control of everything (a lie).  But the truth is:

 God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere at the same time).  He is sovereign and has everything in complete control.

 Job 42:2 AMPC  I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.

 Matthew 19:26 HCSB  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

 Job 12:13 AMPC  But [only] with [God] are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

 Psalms 135:6 CSB  The LORD does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths.

 
O God, when we find ourselves thinking this lie, 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.

 
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”