Bittersweet Farm

Here are some examples of lies we believe that can destroy us and the truth that will lead to life:

CHRIST—DAILY TRUTH—LIFE (John 17:15-17)
SATAN—DAILY LIES—DEATH (John 8:44ff)

THE LIE THAT WILL KILL YOU AND THE TRUTH THAT WILL FREE YOU: Jesus continually warned his followers to not be deceived. We can deceive ourselves. Others can decide us. We can be deceived by demons. We can be deceived by the philosophies of the world around us.

—People will tell you lies about you
—You will lie to yourself
—even well-meaning people who love you…
—Satan and demons will tell you lies about you…
—The world around us is lying to us all the time…
—False religion and false philosophies will deceive you…

The World Around Us Is a Minefield of Lies. Even more as the night of judgment falls on America.

Meditating on Truth is a Very Powerful Spiritual Force. Something really powerful happens when you do this hard work and begin to meditate on truth… A powerful way to fight against sin and to craft a holy life is to do the hard spiritual and mental work of identifying the lies you believe and finding the truth the will set you free. When lie that lies in the bottom of your soul is pushed out by the truth of God you will be free from that sin.

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
John 8:32 You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life

General Meditation and Specific Mediation. If you meditate on God Word in a general way it will still work—you just won’t know specifically how and way it worked. I believe if you meditate on God’s Word in a specific way, one lie at a time, it will work faster and better and you will be more effective at helping others. If you know how it happened it is easier to do it again.

The Best Way to Help Someone.The best way to help someone is to love them so deeply and sincerely that you earn the right to help them live in truth and know them well enough that you can help identify the lies that Satan us using to destroy them…

EXAMPLES OF LIES AND TRUTH

Lie: I cannot overcome this. I can never change.
Truth: There is a way of escape.

1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful… James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Ephesians 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, Psalms 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Lie: I think too much (as if that is harmful to think too much)
Truth: You think the wrong things… thinking the wrong things is harmful. Thinking good things is a command of God and it is very good for us.

Phil. 4:6-9 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Lie: The only way I can get my husband or kids to take me seriously—they only way I can get them to do what I want is when I get angry.
Truth: The wrath of man does not accomplish…

James 1:20NLT “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

Lie: Knowing truth will make me spiritual
Truth: Practicing truth will make you spiritual. (Lie: owning a bike will make you fit… Truth: riding a bike will make you fit). Don’t be hearers of the word only but doers. (out discipleship process is going to help us with this).

James 1:22-25 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Lie: You are not worth liking. You are not worthy of love. Something is wrong with you—there is something especially repulsive about you.. people are going to reject you when they get to know you…
Truth: You are special to God. Though you are a sinner, God is making you more and more attractive and winsome every day… many will love you.

Eph. 1:3-5 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Lie: Overindulgence in this food will be enjoyable and bring pleasure. Your overeating is humorous and harmless: Only for a time, then it will you will be miserable, “I’m here and I will never leave… you have me and I can make you more fulfilled that BBQ potato chips… (ill) a day of fasting. Your eating is idolatry… You are trying to replace me with food.
Truth: Over-eating is idolatry. It is a spiritual problem and it is killing you prematurely and mocking the God you preach and it will take can take you away from your children and grandchildren before you have the chance you want to influence them for Christ.

Philippians 3:19-20 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite
1 Cor. 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”

Lie: You are getting old and if you keep waiting for a really godly and desirable man you will grow old single and you won’t be happy.
Truth: Concentrate on being who God wants you to be and he will bring you who he wants you to have.

Matthew 6:33 Seek first he kingdom and he righteousness and all these things.

Lie: I’m ugly old wrinkly and I am going to be lonely until I die.
Truth: Your greatest beauty is an inner beauty that is imperishable… It cannot be taken away. If you are beautiful in the sight of God that is the beauty that really matters most.

1 Peter 3:3-4 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Lie: You need to concentrate on your outward beauty if you are going to really be happy and secure. How you look is the most important thing about you.
Truth: Our outward man wasting away. Inner man renewed day by day !

1 Cor. 4:16-18 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[d] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Lie: No one will know or be hurt if we indulge in sexual sin.
Truth: God is the avenger of those who practice sexual sin.

1 These. 4:3-8 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

James 1:13-18 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Lie: My wife/husband should satisfy my hunger for love
Truth: Only Jesus can satisfy your deepest hunger for love.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Lie: I need this sinful indulgence for my happiness… I have to chose between happiness and holiness
Truth: Holiness is the only way to true happiness:

Psalm 1:1-3Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ill) Mexican Orphanage.

Lie: If I fornicate it will deepen our love…
Truth: If you fornicate it will damage your love…

Hebrews 13:4NIV Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Lie: I need to retaliate.
Truth: Vengeance belongs to God.

Romans 12:14-21 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Lie: I need to defend myself
Truth: I’m your older brother. 3X (ill) McArthur at Moody. roger had an older brother — Others laughed when they heard this story—I cried…

Psalm 3-1-6. O Lord, how many are my foes!?    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,?    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah[a]
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,?    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,?    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;?    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people?    who have set themselves against me all around.

Lie: I’m wasting my time and my life serving the Lord. The church is full of hypocrites and I’m just going to go and dart out the back door and not get involved….
Truth: When you work for the Lord, you are making investments that will yield great riches forever… The local church is the hope of the world today. It is God’s best plan.

1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Lie:I must hoard if I am going to have what I need.
Truth: A generous person will be blessed of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:9 he who has a bountiful eye will be blessed. “If is more blessed to give than to receive” —Jesus said that. It is quoted in Acts 20

Lie: The work I do is just to make money I need.
Truth: The work you do is the way you worship the Lord.

1 Cor. 10:31 “Wether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Lie: My happiness is tied to what I have and where I live, etc.
Truth: Your happiness is tied to doing the will of God.

Luke 12:25 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Lie: I can let anyone know my failures and mistakes.
Truth: God’s blessing follows humility and confession.

Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

Lie:If you want to prosper you have to go after it and take if from others.
Truth: God is good and generous. He is the one who prospers us as we help others.

Psalm 37: 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, he will give you the desires of your heart.

Lie: People will love me if I’m cool and athletic and popular.
Truth:Love people and God will give you people who love you and he will love you….

2 Cor. 12:15 I will most gladly rather spend and be spent for your souls though the more abundantly I love you the less I am loved.

Lie: The way to be happy is to live for yourself. The way to happiness is self-indulgence…
Truth: The way to be happy is to live for God and others.

John 12:24-25 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

Lie: God led me into this that contradicts His Word
Truth: God does not lead into evil or temptation

James 1:13-14 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Lie: Young people are walking way from the Lord so we have to dig in and have a critical clinical spirit.
Truth: Young people are walking way from the Lord but God will always have his remnant of faithful people and it is our job find them and encourage them and be an example to them. If we are an example of faithfulness God will rebuild with them.

Ezekiel 14:21ff But behold, some survivors will be left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out; behold, when they come out to you, and you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, for all that I have brought upon it. 23 They will console you, when you see their ways and their deeds, and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord God.”

Lie: God isn’t good. God isn’t faithful. God doesn’t care. I’m on my own.
Truth: God is good and faithful and he cares. He will never leave you or forsake you and he is searching the whole earth to show blessing to those who have a heart for him.

2 Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless  toward him.

Lie: If I follow the Lord, nothing bad will happen to me.
Truth: If I follow that Lord, nothing bad will happen that will not …bring glory to God, help others, make me more like Jesus, and result in a greater good. (Gen, 50; Rom. 8:28)

The Question to Ask: When an idea comes into our mind we need to ask; “Where did that idea come from?” When a bad idea comes into our mind we need to do the hard work of finding the truth that will neutralize that lie and concentrate on that truth—that is called meditation… Can you see how important it is that you know a lie when you hear it and build you life on truth.