A recent "Question of the Week" at Bullets & Butterflies listed five of the devil’s lies which sound close enough to the truth to make them believable. This week addresses them in more detail:
• Monday – "You'll never be worthy of God's grace or love."
• Tuesday – "If you have faith, it doesn't matter if you sin."
• Wednesday – "Following Jesus solves your problems."
• Thursday – "Problems indicate God's condemnation."
• Friday – "If you love others then you're loving God."
: : : : :
"When it is dark enough, men see the stars."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lie of Hell #3: Faith Eliminates Problems
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
~ John 16:33 (NKJV)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed ... that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)
The devil wants you to believe that once you make Jesus Lord of your life, your problems are over.
The devil even manages to put that message in the mouth of many misled Christians. Then when difficulties or sickness or hardship occur, a Christian will be told that they just need to pray harder or have more faith or claim one of God’s promises.
The truth preached by Jesus is that Christians will have tribulation.
If being a Christian meant the end of our problems, what kind of opportunity does God have to manifest His power? If He makes life easy for us, how valuable is our love and praise?
Praise comes easily when all is well on the outside. But we praise because all is well in our souls, even if body, mind and heart are in agony. Our praise is more valuable when it defies hardship. Like the moon, we reflect Sonshine with the most radiance in darkness. God is glorified in our lives when we face adversity of the worst sort and He proves His grace greater yet.
For now, Christians experience the kingdom of Heaven spiritually. Jesus reigns in our hearts, not on a throne made by human hands. The time to experience the full and physical presence of Christ's Kingdom is coming.
Lord, Your grace is sufficient for our weakness, for our greatest hurt, for our darkest despair. Make us willing to pay the cost of making You manifest on the earth with all we are, have, do.
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
"Make us willing to pay the cost of making You manifest on the earth with all we are, have, do." Excellent Anne. Right in line with keeping with His perfect will for us. I am SO willing. More than willing. At least I think I am.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Jesus reigns in our lifes, in the sunshine, and rain. I am so thankful.
ReplyDelete"The truth preached by Jesus is that Christians will have tribulation."
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing that. Good to read truth in writing.
Had a meaningful visit w/ my sis. Thanks for prayers.
Sending love,
Wendy
I've met many people over the years that believed this lie. It breaks my heart that they aren't understanding the Word fully enough. God did not promise us that life would be easy, but that He would be with us through it all.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that Billy Graham said has always stayed in my mind, "The Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield." ... And, on battlefields people get hurt. The key, as you point out, is being well in our souls ... through Jesus. Thanks Anne.
ReplyDeleteT ~ Keep reminding yourself. Keep praying the prayer, so that when the hour of testing comes you will stand firm.
ReplyDeleteDenise ~ Amen! Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King.
Wendy ~ One of the reasons to spend plenty of time reading the Bible is to be reminded of the truths we need. It's not that we don't know them, it's just that we tend to forget them when lies loom large.
Ralene ~ Like childbirth (CONGRATULATIONS again!), the pain never lasts as long as the joy and life which follows.
Rusty ~ I've thought long and hard recently about our vulnerability on the battlefield. We're guaranteed protection againt fatal blows, we are assured of victory, but we are nowhere told we will emerge unscathed.
It was an inspiration to read over the past 3 posts. Each of them resonated within me and pointed out needs I have in my own life.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for that.
What Ralene said... That's exactly what I was going to say. Really great thoughts!
Amen. That kind of praise in the midst of trials is sweet to Him and so refreshing to us. Thanks Anne.
ReplyDelete...even knowing that He has brought me thru so many dark valley's if you will, doesn't really make me want to charge into the next one. yet, i can't remain stationary...
ReplyDeleteYour answer wearied me. I often forget those tests come quickly. *BTW* I'm unplugged till next Tues. Going camping. XOXO
ReplyDeleteDuane ~ You're an inspiration to me too. Really. I'm smiling all over at your words.
ReplyDeleteJason ~ I like feel good praise, for sure. But I have to believe praise amid pain is sweetest of all to Him.
Bud ~ There is irony in this message. I do not like the valley. I do not like darkness. I definitely do not like pain. Yet I still pray that He'll break my soul so it may be built up; that He'll not withhold from me the cup of suffering which brings sweetest rejoicing.
T ~ I'll miss you! Have a wonderful time. Sorry to weary you, but perhaps that's the Lord's timing before your camping "rest" (LOL!)
xxoo backatcha
I agree Anne and I believe this misinformation causes some to backslide. As believers we encounter the same types of troubles as the world but God has given us an escape. When others are losing their minds and their hearts are failing when can escape from that response to His peace and joy.
ReplyDeleteWanda ~
ReplyDelete"... misinformation causes some to backslide ..."
Great point! Once our salvation is secure, the devil can't own us. So he'll try to use us or keep us down with his lies. Even the affliction he's allowed to bring can only defeat us when we listen to him.
There's not question that it's a battle to keep peace and joy. But truth, faith and love do enable it.