Lies I've Believed (and told)

Confession: I'm a pathological liar.

Now, before you start questioning the validity of everything I've ever said to you, let me clarify: I consider honesty and truthfulness to be of the utmost importance, and strive to have integrity in all of my interactions with people. To myself, however, I tell (or at least believe) lies on a daily basis.

This morning in our staff devo we covered Phillipians 4:8-9.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

A pretty straightforward passage, one we all covered in the dreaded talks about lust and pornography in youth group. I totally understand that this is an issue for many people, and my heart breaks for that. But I didn't necessarily always feel that I struggled with what this scripture is talking about.

Sidenote: Try telling God you don't think a particular scripture applies to you. He'll be sure to point out, with haste, how it most certainly does.

As we started studying, I couldn't even get past the first few words.

Whatever is true.

We had a great discussion on how the basis of truth is scripture and how you have to know (and commit to memory) scripture in order to be able to dwell on truth. And that's absolutely correct. But in order for truth to exist there must be lies, which got me thinking about the lies I dwell on. This comes up in two very obvious ways in my life.

Lie #1: You are not (insert adjective here) enough to be of any value.

This is my daily struggle. Satan starts whispering almost as soon as I wake up that I am not smart, pretty, dedicated, thin, hard-working, creative, talented, any other adjective that applies that day enough to take care of what the day holds. Because of this, I will never be successful in my career, find a godly husband, have children, etc. And as soon as he starts whispering that, I start repeating it to myself. Anything that goes wrong in my day is a result of me not being enough.

And to an extent, that's true. I'm not enough. My righteousness is not enough. It is only through Christ that I can accomplish anything for the Kingdom. But scripture also tells me that God took special interest in my creation. He knit me together in my mother's womb. He formed my inward parts and my frame was not hidden from Him (Psalm 139). Most importantly, I'm created in His image (Genesis 1:27). He has equipped me with everything I need for the purpose to which He's called me (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).


Lie #2: The circumstances, as I perceive them, are the way things actually are. 

I am so guilty of taking minute details in a situation and jumping to wild conclusions. My boss asks me to do something differently. Obviously, he thinks I'm lazy and incompetent and incapable of doing my job. That guy at church sat next to me, asked how I was doing, and made a quiet joke while the pastor was talking. Clearly, he's developing feelings for me and is wondering if I would make a godly wife and mother to his children.

Now, obviously, I'm exaggerating. But I constantly make the mistake of not looking at the whole picture, and not basing my perception of the situation on the facts. My boss only asked me to change something. His attitude toward me did not change. My perception of the situation has far more to do with my feelings of inadequacy (see Lie #1) than the actual circumstances. The guy at church only took a seat next to me and made small talk. He did not ask me to coffee, he did not give me any real indication that he was interested in me. My perception of the situation is based in my desire and longing for that, and my constant seeking for that story.

In both scenarios, unnecessary anxiety is caused by my belief and creation of lies. If I take the counsel of Philippians 4, to dwell on "whatever is true", my heart is focused not on what might be happening but what is. Living in truth and in the moment not only makes me more effective for the Kingdom, but allows me to live at peace as well.