It's a Lie

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I was thinking back to a time I subbed in an 8th-grade social studies class. The kids had an assignment where they were to answer a number of questions. One of them was, “What is really on the back of the document, The Declaration of Independence?” 


Do you know the answer?


If you thought “A treasure map with encrypted instructions from founding fathers written in invisible ink” is right, you would be wrong.  It sounds good, doesn't it?  The student who wrote this was not the only one with that answer but did provide the most detail.  


How did they come up with that answer?


Well, they remembered something they had seen or heard, and instead of researching it, wrote the answer down as what they considered to be true. Maybe one kid asked another, and he was believable, so the other wrote it down as truth. Then that kid told another kid, and since a couple of them stood behind such a good answer, he wrote it down as well! They didn’t bother to research the answer, because it sounded true.


That often happens with us. We hear a dynamic speaker, read some compelling writing, talk to a charismatic friend, and take what they say as truth. Maybe there is some truth to it, so we believe it, and live it out.


Friends, partial truth is a whole lie.  


Satan is the father of lies, and if he can reel you in with partial truth, then capture you with a whole lie. He can take you to a place where your own truth and judgment becomes your god. Maybe you believe that Christianity equals judgment. Or maybe you believe sharing your struggles and pain will make people walk away from you. Maybe you believe that your rights matter more than anyone else’s. Maybe you think you must fight God’s battles for Him. 


How many have gotten caught up in those lies? How many of us have felt justified in them?


Romans 16:17-18 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”


Seek the whole truth (Jesus), then the lies become clear.

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