He Lies!

We all deal with those sales calls that plague us. Most of us hang up, but on occasion I engage the person who is doing the call. I find it fascinating to observe how the best of them will they bait their hook and then manipulate words to attempt to draw me into some scheme to relieve me of my money. Then, too, who has not had the unfortunate experience of a sales experience with a person that is willing to say anything to close the deal?  Even more tragic are those occasions where someone is sweet-talked into a relationship with another who they discover, too late, is just a beautiful liar.

In Genesis 3, where the story of sin is tragically unfolded for us, we meet a Beautiful Liar who twists the words of the Lord and invites humanity to the ‘delights’ of disobedience. When he came to Eve, he suggested that God was keeping the best from her, that she should exercise her will, choose to disobey and seek an alternate way to be full!  His very first tactic was to introduce doubt – “Did God really say… “?  When Eve clarified the directive of the Lord, he lied again - “You won’t die! … God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves." (Genesis 3:4-7, NLT)  I want to scream- ‘He lies!’ as I read that, until I remember that he is still doing it. The Genesis story of sin is repeated millions of times every day when people decide to ignore God and do their own thing.

Are you listening to the seductions of the serpent? 

Is he suggesting that your emptiness can be filled with another car, a new house, a new pair of shoes?

Is he pointing out a ‘short cut’ to success if only you are willing to sell your integrity or compromise your convictions?

Is he tempting you with comparison of your marriage to another, inviting you to go ahead and love another so you will feel less alone, more alive?  

HE LIES!

Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Devil.  In the wilds of Judea, He was fasting, praying, alone.  There "the Devil tempted him for forty days. He ate nothing all that time and was very hungry. Then the Devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life.’ ” (Luke 4:2-4, NLT)  Jesus met the lie with Truth! He quoted Moses who urged the people of the Lord to remember their experience of God’s full provision. "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV)   Each lie Satan told Jesus that awful day was met with the Truth of the Word.

One day when some people were asking about following Him, Jesus told them this: “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, NLT)  Truth is sometimes hard but always liberating.

Meditate on the Word. Take it into your heart, your mind and let the Spirit use it to shape what you believe about God, about the world in which you live, about yourself – and the Truth will set you free.

Need a place to start? Here are some facts about you, declarations of your Father.

            You are more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

            You are the apple of God's eye. (Psalm 17:8)

            You are a joint heir with Christ of eternal glory. (Romans 8:17)

            You are a beloved child of God. (1 John 3:1)

Here’s the word from the Word.
"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart (banked the Truth!)

that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:8-11, NIV)

________________

Build My Life

(a favorite new song of mine, a commitment to His call)

Worthy of ev’ry song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

Jesus the name above ev’ry other name

Jesus the only one who could ever save

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

We live for You

Holy there is no one like You

There is none besides You

Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Elizabeth Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett

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