The Lies Christians Believe

1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…

Growing up as a Buddhist, I was completely cloaked in deception before my salvation in 2003. Entering “the church,” I was shocked to find how many Christians believe lies preached at the pulpit by many well-meaning pastors and taught in books by many well-meaning authors. Once a new catchy mantra, such as “new level, new devil,” is shared, it spreads, like a virus, throughout the body. When the devil attacks, he rarely attacks directly from the front but mainly infiltrates slowly and secretly, like an infection, festering hidden before erupting to consume the entire body. The lies Christians believe are typically built upon half-truths or good theories, creating a type of mantra, which are usually catchy phrases or rhymes that are eerily similar to the mantras I chanted while a Buddhist. However, once accepted, these mantras will mesmerize and eventually sedate the church. The devil’s ultimate goal isn’t only the destruction of an individual person but the complete destruction of the church.

NEW LEVELS, NEW DEVILS?

Since my salvation over 21 years ago, I have learned that the enemy will happily fulfill any unGodly beliefs Christians have while exposing the measure of our unbelief within their heart. What are unGodly beliefs? They are unBiblical beliefs, typically based on man’s theories or popular teachings rather than the Word of God, causing their beliefs to become curses to the believer. The belief that Jesus’s faithful followers will receive a more significant measure of attacks from “new devils” when the Lord blesses or promotes us to new levels is a curse from the pit of hell. 

I believe this curse will cause some of us to become so riddled and frozen with fear that it will cause us to sit with idle hands rather than pursue greater intimacy with Jesus and more life-giving revelation and display unwavering obedience, fiery boldness, and living out our faith with our works.

James 2:14-17 NKJV – Faith Without Works Is Dead

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

PERSECUTION

The size, the tactics, or the quantity of the enemy doesn’t change or increase when we’ve been promoted or blessed by the Lord. The truth is that persecution is promised to every believer. The existence of persecution for your faith isn’t the evidence of “new devils” but rather the proof that the enemy is terrified of the God you serve, the one who chooses to make His abode in you! Remember, the Lord isn’t sending you out to be among the sheep but rather to be among the wolves. And the nature of wolves is to bite!

Matthew 10:16-25 NKJV – Persecutions Are Coming

 [Jesus said] “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”

THE COMMISSION!

Brothers and sisters, you are the elect. You are the called. Your yes to the call is one of the catalysts to walking in the authority Jesus promises. You are called to build the Kingdom of God! You are called to partner with the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel boldly. You are called to establish Heaven on earth with all of its glory and splendor! When you were born again, you were born to do hard, peculiar things that the world may never understand. You are created to hear the voice of Jesus Christ and to follow His voice faithfully. You are equipped through the Holy Spirit to do the things Jesus has done and even greater works, preaching the Gospel, preaching the kingdom, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out every demon! Every knee bows to Christ in you; therefore, every devil has to flee.

Matthew 10:1 NKJV – The Twelve Apostles

And when He [Jesus] had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Matthew 10:7 NKJV – The Twelve Apostles

 [Jesus said] “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV – The Great Commission

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:12-14 NKJV – The Answered Prayer

 [Jesus said] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

YOUR TIME IS NOW!

This is your time, your generation, your moment to burn so hot, shine so brightly, and live so boldly that anyone who sees the light you carry will be drawn out of the darkness and into the loving arms of Jesus. Arise, beloved, and shine!