What does the Bible say about believing lies

“What does the Bible say about believing lies” was the topic of the sermon that week. Captured in the title, I started thinking about the realization I had just days prior: I believed a lie as truth. Have you ever experienced that? Believing the lies in your life?

In November, my pastor, after weeks of having the ‘flu’, was advised that he actually had cancer. That C word – this word emits fear within me. With so many who died from this dreadful disease, it truly waged a battle on my belief in God’s title, ‘Jehovah-Rapha’, our healer. Many members of the Church joined us in public fast to pray for healing. 

Message of hope

A few days ago, we received this news from our pastor:

“Hello friends, I want to share my good news. God has certainly demonstrated faithfulness, mercy and grace. I am so thankful. The PET scan that I did this Wednesday showed no cancer. The doctor’s words were “total response”. So I will complete the next 3 rounds of chemo as planned then asses for any next steps (radiation). But this is what we prayed for. Hallelujah!” 

Can you say an ‘AMEN’? As soon as I read this, goosebumps came on my arms, and I jumped up screaming and praising God. 

My heart knows that I serve an amazing and great God. But I was still putting Him in a box. I know that He is bigger than cancer, but my experience was that everyone who got cancer died. Hearing that word was a death sentence. I prayed with all of my heart for my pastor, but in the back of my mind, it was continually, ‘well if you want to, Lord’. 

God’s thoughts

As I approached God with this guilt in my heart and crying for forgiveness, I felt God gently reminding me of Isaiah 55:8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Even though my experience had taught me something, I was not approaching new scenarios with my belief in God. Yes, I believed in the amazing power of Christ, but I was losing focus half-way by allowing my experience to derail my belief. 

In Mark 9:24, a sick boy’s father cried, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief”. 

Can you testify to this? Do you believe lies as I did as truth? 

This same pastor on Ash Wednesday preached a sermon that was so powerful on hope and healing. If you haven’t heard it as yet, take the time to do it. GAME Changer! Video here.

Scripture verses on believing in lies

It got me thinking even more, what does the Bible say about believing in lies? Here are some great scriptures to review:

• Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• Romans 16:17-18: I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 
• Colossians 2:8: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Prayer:

Holy Father, forgive me. Forgive me for not seeking you first in all things to discern truth from lie. Forgive me for doubting you. Grant me your wisdom and strength, Lord. To you, all the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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