Are You Living With Truth or Lies?

“Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Our class is studying a series of lessons on building our core...physical core, emotional core, mental core and spiritual core. 

Last Sunday, we studied how to build our mental core. I found that to be the hardest thing of all four things to strengthen. We can work on our spiritual core by reading our Bible and praying to God with regularity. We can strengthen our physical core by lifting weights, doing aerobic exercises and work on our flexibility. We can “grit our teeth” and be mindful of our emotions...sadness, anger, fear, and happiness. 

But somehow to make progress in the area of the mind takes an enormous discipline. Everything goes into our mind! 

“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was noticing this week that all of us struggle with what is truth. For example, our jealously sometimes towards others are based on a lack of knowledge. Have you ever look at someone’s life and think that they have a “perfect life?” But later on you find out that this person has some problems that you would not want to trade with. A good rule of thumb is to not be jealous of someone’s life. No point in this, whatsoever.

Another example of not knowing truth is not realizing the unbelievable poverty that some are facing in most of the world. We have pity parties about finances when there is something we desire and can’t buy it right now. But the item is not even on the mind of most of the world. If the truth smacked you in the face, you would give more of your time or money or prayer to the more than 10% of the world that is living on less than $2 a day. That is more like closing our eyes to the truth. 

Not knowing truth means that most Christians do not understand what it means to follow Jesus. Stop and think. Do we often get mad at God because we are suffering? We are bitter because we have problems. We want life to be about us.  

“Jesus continued to say to all of them, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23‬ ‭ERV‬‬

This week, I have been intentional about what truth/lies enter in my mind. It’s hard work! So I have asked the Lord to reveal what is a lie that I am believing about my life. Oh my goodness! It’s shocking, the bald-faced lies that I allow to sit around in my mind. These lies need to be cleaned out and replaced with truth. 

“So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:14‬a ERV‬‬

To build a strong core of truth in our mind will impact the core of everything else. 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Check your belt tied around your waist. Is it truth or a bunch of lies that you are wearing around? 

Is There Only One Way to Heaven? Really?

“The serpent told the Woman, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on. You’ll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.”

When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:4-6

Eve, chose to take fruit from a tree that gave her the ability to decide what was right or wrong. Instead of allowing God that ultimate, wise place of authority, she chose to redefine truth on her own terms. Since that time, we have all been faced with the same choice. Will we fall victim to the enemy’s lies that we can do life better on our own? Or will we choose to believe that God has a better way? ~Robin Meadows

I have a sweet friend that I work with that God has put directly in my path to talk to about the Lord. He is absolutely certain that "my way" is just one way to have a relationship with the Lord. Ever since our first conversation about having a relationship with Jesus, he has been asking me hard questions about why I believe the way I believe. He is positive that he can do life better on his own. I am positive that I can't do life on my own.

“And I command you today: Love GOD, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by GOD, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30:16‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:36‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“So be very careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Keep your eyes on the path, and look straight ahead. Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:25-26‬ ‭ERV‬‬

If you read this blog, I pray that you know the Lord and will allow Him to help you maneuver through life and not try to live it on your own.