Unraveling the Lies

In a society where, from the Christian perspective, the world seems to be spinning out of control, it is becoming more difficult to tell truth from lies. It's not that the lies are becoming too close to the truth. It's that the lies are trying to portray the truth as a lie – and they're getting really good at making us question what is actually right.

Even the church isn't immune. Progressive Christianity, the influence of liberalism, health and wealth preaching, focusing on creating a feel good worship experience – all of these things are thanks to the infiltration of lies into Christianity.

Here's an example from my own life. Like so many other people, I suffer from anxiety. It's not surprising. It's one of the things Jesus specifically hits on in the Sermon on the Mount, so I know I'm not the only one out there.

I want an AR-15. Where you and I stand on the gun debate is a conversation for another day. Something inside me has stirred the idea and desire to be prepared to protect my family from both the day to day concerns as well as in the event that something catastrophic happens and I need to protect them while the city/county/state/nation can stabilize and respond.

Saving the money to purchase this gun and to have a reasonable store of ammo to train and defend with has consumed me of late. I'm reading gun reviews, preparation articles, training tips, and anything I can get my eyes on to better understand what I'm getting into.

Making matters worse is the current political climate. It's stressful enough to consider if we're really heading toward socialism, if smaller government can ease tension, and whether or not there really is a separation of powers for checks and balances. Not to mention the news media doesn't make things any better with their coverage.

The point is, my mind gets consumed wanting to be fully informed and anxiety sets it over these things that I really can't control. Heck, maybe that is what's really lying at the heart of my desire to be prepared – simply wanting to be in control of more situations.

As I think through this, I'm taken back to what Jesus preaches about worry. Of course He tells us not to, but easier said than done, right? On the surface, yes. If we dig deeper though, there is truth to be found that's actually helpful.

The first thing we need to do is ask whether or not we trust that what Jesus taught us is true. I believe the Bible is true in its entirety, so that question is already answered. If it's there, it's true.

If what I read in Scripture it true, then the voices I'm hearing that are contrary must be telling me a lie, even if it's only partially false. This is where you need to consider with an open mind, open heart, and open Bible. Turn off all the distractions – they will kill your ability to really think through the issue. Bring in a like-minded believer to help talk and muddle through the muck.

Every sin I've committed or considered boils down to either pride or fear. Anxiety is an easy one – it preys on your fear. I'm afraid that politicians will take away or limit my ability to defend my family with the use of a gun. I'm afraid that without a gun, a home invader, car jacker, rapist, or looters during a period of unrest will try to commit heinous crimes against my family. I'm afraid of not having enough to live the kind of lifestyle that I'm comfortable with. That's only the beginning.

There's some pride there as well. There's confidence in knowing I'm prepared. I know my son thinks it's pretty cool that Dad has the tools and the knowledge to take care of his family in the event something bad happens. It's easy to look around with my chest puffed out and think of myself as the alpha male among the lion pack.

With fear, I'm taking what God has promised to do for me – sustain me, fulfill me, provide for my eternity, protect me – and saying that I don't trust Him to fill His end of the bargain. Pretty bold statement about someone who became human to live perfectly and die to cover my sin.

The pride says “I can do it better than God”. Pretty bold statement for someone who has an incalculable debt to be repaid and doesn't have a prayer of doing it on his own.

Discovering the pride or fear that sin is relying on to live in us allows us to see the lie and how it is being used to pull us away from God.

Think of it this way – a smartly dressed gentleman knocks on the door and asks if he can talk to you about life insurance. You've been thinking you need some, so you invite him in to talk with you and your spouse.

A week later your house is robbed and your most valuable possessions taken. The only fingerprints the officers find are the salesman's, but they're in places you never allowed him to go. When there was a life insurance salesman sitting at your table, there was no problem. If you would have seen him for the thief he was, you never would have let him in.

It's the same with sin. When we can recognize it for what it is, we're a lot less likely to let it in the door. If we already have, we can kick it right to the curb.

Is it wrong to own a gun, be prepared, hope for a spouse, prepare for retirement, buy a home, or participate in triathlons? Of course not. The problem comes in when those good things that God has been gracious enough to allow us to enjoy consume us to the point that we are really worshiping them or their pursuit instead of God Himself.

The response when we catch ourselves believing the lie or hear something that doesn't sit quite so well with us is to put it up against the truth of God's word and break it down to pride or fear. Once we can see the lie for what it is, the easier it will be to take God at His word and trust Him to help us overcome it.