Good News from the Stony Creek Church of Christ

Do not believe Satan’s lies! (Part 4)

From the beginning of scripture to the end, God has revealed that Satan’s primary strategy consists of lies and deception (Genesis 3:1-6; Revelation 20:7-9). Thankfully, God has not left us ignorant (2 Corinthians 2:11), but unfortunately, like Eve, we have all fallen prey to it (Romans 3:23). We have all been deceived into doubting God, exchanging the truth for Satan’s lies.

Because of that, we have all given ourselves over to the “futility of our minds,” had our “understanding darkened” and our lives bore the fruit of it (Ephesians 4:17-18).

Yet, praise God! He has revealed the truth to us. He has given us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Scripture is God’s inspired truth, and it fully equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet, many continue to deny it and be deceived by Satan’s lies.

Through this series of columns, we have been exposing a few of those lies. Today we want to finish that endeavor with a few more.

“God wants me to be me.”

Have you ever heard that one before? Who are you? That is the real question. Almost every time someone says that it is because the person they are (or want to be) is different than the person God asks them to be.

In Galatians 6:14, Paul says there were three things on the cross: Jesus, the world, and himself. I am not sure what you picture, but when you picture the cross YOU have to be there. God is not interested in me being me as I define it. God is interested in me being the me as He made me to be. That means I have to die. Galatians 2:20 says God wants me to be like Jesus.

“You can’t change who you are.”

There are all kinds of saying for this one. “A leopard can’t change his spots.” “A tiger can’t change its stripes.” “Nature is stronger than nurture.” “A person just can’t change who they are.” The reason that is so attractive is because change is hard, and it is easier not to change.

What does the Bible say? 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says these Christians were living in all kinds of sins (fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, thievery, drunkenness, etc.). Then Paul says, “But you were washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus …” Do you know what I see in this? You cannot change who you are, but God can. God changed these Christians. He can change you too!

“God just wants me to be happy.”

Have you heard that before? I have heard that a lot! Almost every time, when someone says that what they are saying is, “Whatever it takes to make me happy, that is what God wants for me.”

Does God want you to be joyful? Yep. He says, “Be joyful when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2). He does not say to be happy after the trial. He wants us to be joyful in the midst of trials and hardships because we realize without them, we will never have endurance and perfection (vs. 4). He does want you to be happy eventually. That will come. But while we are still here in the flesh, that is not happy at all cost.

That’s why Philippians 4:11 is so important. Paul says that Christians should learn to be content with Christ no matter their physical circumstances. Sure, we are content when we are fat and happy! We are joyful when our bellies and bank accounts are full! But can we be joyful and content when we are hungry and suffer needs?!

“God accepts you for who you are.”

There is some truth to this: We did not have to go to heaven to meet God, but God came to earth to meet us. Yet, what a lot of people mean when they say this is something like, “No matter what I do or do not do, God will accept me and become a part of my life.”

Think about it: Jesus dined with and came to people living in sin but always instructed them to “go and sin no more” (John 5:14; 8:11). He expected them to change their lives.

In Acts 2:38 Peter preached the first gospel sermon, convicted them of their sins, and pronounced God’s expectations. What were God’s expectations for them (and us) to do according to Peter? Repentance – a change of life – and baptism – forgiveness of their sins and a death and resurrection to a new man (cf. Romans 6:1-4).

Visitors are welcome and valued. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville. Our phone number is (317) 219-5852. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!