Sunday, March 8, 2009
A Lie Wrapped in Disguise
Paul begins Ephesians 4:25 by saying "therefore." What's he referring to? He's speaking about his previous words about putting off the old self. Now that we're in a new life, we should look and act differently. Only in Christ can this happen; we can't do it on our own. If we could, we wouldn't have needed to turn to God.
The first thing Paul tells us to put off is falsehood, or lying. Lies come from the devil, who is the father of all lies. In fact, Satan told the very first lie in the Garden of Eden. His lie began with the words, "Did God really say...?" (Genesis 3:1)
How often do you feel like God doesn't really care about you or your needs, or that He won't or can't do something for you? This is much like Satan's lie. We're saying to ourselves, "Did God really say that He loves me? Or that He'll meet my needs?"
It's an insult to God to call Him a liar. And that's just what you're doing when you don't believe the Word He has spoken to you.
Lying is a characteristic of the old man, the old self that we are to put off. We are to live in truth. Don't live according to the old sinful nature. Put off lying...to others, to yourself, and to God.
The first thing Paul tells us to put off is falsehood, or lying. Lies come from the devil, who is the father of all lies. In fact, Satan told the very first lie in the Garden of Eden. His lie began with the words, "Did God really say...?" (Genesis 3:1)
How often do you feel like God doesn't really care about you or your needs, or that He won't or can't do something for you? This is much like Satan's lie. We're saying to ourselves, "Did God really say that He loves me? Or that He'll meet my needs?"
It's an insult to God to call Him a liar. And that's just what you're doing when you don't believe the Word He has spoken to you.
Lying is a characteristic of the old man, the old self that we are to put off. We are to live in truth. Don't live according to the old sinful nature. Put off lying...to others, to yourself, and to God.
Prayer Requests
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
- We're so glad to have Nancy back! While staying with her mother, she was able to share her faith with an uncle, two aunts, and her mother. Pray for these relatives, that they will learn what it really means to be a Christian.
- Doug is doing well in Pakistan. Keep praying for him. He's training 30 police officers there and has had opportunity to share the Lord on occasion. There's another American working with him who confesses atheism, and yet he's asked Doug several questions. Doug believes God may have sent him all the way to Pakistan just to minister to this American.
- Pray for Sharon Macklin's Navy grandson, Joshua Hinck. He's on the USS Boxer and has a co-sailor named Nelson who broke his ankle. Nelson had to be flown back to San Diego for surgery. Pray for Nelson's salvation as well as healing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
