2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
I have a confession to make. I don’t like to spend money. Not that I have lots of money or that I hoard it, because I don’t do that either. I will gladly give when God lays it on my heart to do so or when I see a need. When it comes to spending, however, I like to take a step back and reevaluate things.
Before any big purchase, I ask myself several questions similar to the following:
Will this benefit me in the future?
Is this in my budget?
Is this something I can’t live without?
Is this useful, or am I buying out of impulse or emotions?
Will I regret making this purchase tomorrow?
I have realized in my Christian life that there is one thing that I buy in to at times without hesitation, question, or debate. That one thing is lies. We are saturated with lies from Satan himself, the media, and even those close to us.
I know I’m not alone here. The lies of the enemy can be so appealing to our flesh that we spend our time, our energy, and our emotional wellbeing and end up spiritually bankrupt.
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 that we are to study the Word of Truth (God’s Word). In doing so we can combat the lies that the enemy tells us. Let’s take a moment to look at some common lies that we often buy into, and then let’s see what the truth of God’s Word has to say about the matter. I will make these vague, but fill in the blanks with your own personal struggles and battles.
Lie #1:
I can’t ____________________________.
This technically isn’t a lie. You can’t. I can’t. But God can! And according to Philippians 4:13, you can do all things through Christ who lives within you if you are a child of God.
Lie #2:
I’m not good enough for ____________________________________.
Maybe it’s a relationship issue, a broken marriage, a promotion at work that you didn’t receive. If you believe that you are not enough, you have bought in to a lie. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In the midst of all of your faults, failures, and filthiness, Christ chose you because you are enough!
Lie #3:
I have gone too far for God to save or forgive.
Except for grace! This is a hard concept for even the most devout Christian to understand at times. Romans 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” There is nothing you can do to earn the grace or favor of God, but it is a free gift bestowed upon those who believe.
I could go on and on listing lies that we all buy from time to time without weighing the cost, but how can we stop the purchase of these lies before the transaction takes place?
By following the guideline set forth in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study.” Be prepared before the lies are told. Hide the truth of God’s Word in our hearts so that we can recognize a lie before we buy it! The next time you feel yourself checking out a shopping cart full of lies, ask yourself these questions:
Will this benefit me in the future?
Is this in my spiritual budget?
Is this something I can’t live without?
Is this useful, or am I buying out of impulse or emotions?
Will I regret making this purchase tomorrow?
Then get in your Word and check out in Truth!
I have a confession to make. I don’t like to spend money. Not that I have lots of money or that I hoard it, because I don’t do that either. I will gladly give when God lays it on my heart to do so or when I see a need. When it comes to spending, however, I like to take a step back and reevaluate things.
Before any big purchase, I ask myself several questions similar to the following:
Will this benefit me in the future?
Is this in my budget?
Is this something I can’t live without?
Is this useful, or am I buying out of impulse or emotions?
Will I regret making this purchase tomorrow?
I have realized in my Christian life that there is one thing that I buy in to at times without hesitation, question, or debate. That one thing is lies. We are saturated with lies from Satan himself, the media, and even those close to us.
I know I’m not alone here. The lies of the enemy can be so appealing to our flesh that we spend our time, our energy, and our emotional wellbeing and end up spiritually bankrupt.
The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:15 that we are to study the Word of Truth (God’s Word). In doing so we can combat the lies that the enemy tells us. Let’s take a moment to look at some common lies that we often buy into, and then let’s see what the truth of God’s Word has to say about the matter. I will make these vague, but fill in the blanks with your own personal struggles and battles.
Lie #1:
I can’t ____________________________.
This technically isn’t a lie. You can’t. I can’t. But God can! And according to Philippians 4:13, you can do all things through Christ who lives within you if you are a child of God.
Lie #2:
I’m not good enough for ____________________________________.
Maybe it’s a relationship issue, a broken marriage, a promotion at work that you didn’t receive. If you believe that you are not enough, you have bought in to a lie. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In the midst of all of your faults, failures, and filthiness, Christ chose you because you are enough!
Lie #3:
I have gone too far for God to save or forgive.
Except for grace! This is a hard concept for even the most devout Christian to understand at times. Romans 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” There is nothing you can do to earn the grace or favor of God, but it is a free gift bestowed upon those who believe.
I could go on and on listing lies that we all buy from time to time without weighing the cost, but how can we stop the purchase of these lies before the transaction takes place?
By following the guideline set forth in 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study.” Be prepared before the lies are told. Hide the truth of God’s Word in our hearts so that we can recognize a lie before we buy it! The next time you feel yourself checking out a shopping cart full of lies, ask yourself these questions:
Will this benefit me in the future?
Is this in my spiritual budget?
Is this something I can’t live without?
Is this useful, or am I buying out of impulse or emotions?
Will I regret making this purchase tomorrow?
Then get in your Word and check out in Truth!
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