Two Lies and the Truth

Because he knows that Jesus is the “Truth” and that the “truth will set you free”  (John 8:32).  Because He knows that His power has been overcome by the death and resurrection of Christ, and that if we follow Truth he can’t have us- he can’t ruin what we’ve been made for.

We need to trade in for the Travel Agent of Truth.

Did you know you were made intentionally, with a purpose? (Psalm 139, Philippian 2:13, Romans 9:21) We each have something beautiful to offer each other, to reflect the glory of our Creator.  In fact, He wants to create from within us, which is why there are so many verses about Christ living IN us, as we remain IN him.

When we accept God He says we are HIS children (our identity) and LOVED unconditionally (our worth) through grace.  When we really embrace those two truths, our lives are freed up to wholly be who we’re made to be.

So where does the enemy want to attack?  Our identity and our worth.

One lie we believe is that we have to maintain our image and worth ourselves, apart from Grace.  We get on a hamster wheel of striving because we believe that what we accomplish and how we’re viewed by others determines our worth.

Then we believe our identity is a natural extension of our worth, so we trade the title of “unconditionally LOVED” for man-made titles:  For example:

If I’m worth enough or good enough, I’ll be picked to sing with that group (lead vocalist), play on that team (star quarterback), land that next job or promotion (CEO), succeed in relationships (best friend/wife/ etc), master the art of parenting (Mother-of-the Year). 

If you look at the list, you’ll notice that most often when our worth defines our identity, we become very competitive.  I’m only doing well if I’m worth MORE than someone else.  If I’m picked OVER someone else.*

We believe the lie that we can’t all be worth the same, so if we slack off we’re going to fall down to the bottom of the worth chart.

Further, our title/identity affects our worth- so if we LOSE a job, FAIL as a parent, DIVORCE a spouse, GET OVERLOOKED for someone more talented, we believe our worth plummets as well.  Worth=identity=worth.  If we’re literally running in circles, we’re likely to end up disillusioned at empty places.  And we’ll be dizzy to boot.

When we walk in the TRUTH that our identity can’t be shaken, and our worth can’t be earned, then the roles of our lives, the successes and failures alike, are simple expressions of who we’re made to be, not identity in and of themselves.  God has given each of us GIFTS (read: personality, talents, passions, abilities, situations) that are meant to be used alongside each other in community to reflect the glory of God.

But I want to give one more caution: When we finally begin to trust our identity and worth from God, the enemy twists that truth into a second and equally sinister lie:  If we’re really secure in God, then stepping out where we might “succeed” is an immoral act of pride and selfishness.

Even if we feel made to do something- we probably shouldn’t if we might get recognition or praise from it.  That wouldn’t honor God, right?

This is what I’ve believed.  And this has kept me from stepping out in faith, thinking I was hiding behind humility, when really I was hiding who God made me to be.

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 25 about a master who goes on a trip, and entrusts three servants with differing amounts of HIS own wealth, “each according to their ability” (vs 15).  When the master returns, the first two servants show how they’ve doubled the money he gave them.

He tells each, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (vs 21)

But the third servant comes and says he was afraid- he tells the master that he HID the talent in a hole in the ground.  And the master calls him a “wicked, lazy servant” (vs 26) and has him thrown out.

First of all, note that the wealth belongs to God- our talents, gifts, abilities- are made by God and for Him.  He entrusts them to us so that we INVEST them…USE them… which might mean we shine a little in the process.  Which might mean we succeed at something.  Which might even mean that we are a put in the spotlight to reflect Him.

Second, consider the sobering conclusion of the parable: To hide what we’ve been entrusted with is the real offense, because God meant for us to multiply it.  If we believe the lie that it’s WRONG to use our talents and gifts- we’re falling short of what we were made for- maybe worse than a circle, our destination is a hole in the ground…empty and disillusioned.

• Believe that your identity is simply: A CHILD of GOD
• Believe that your worth is simply: Unconditionally LOVED
• Believe that your talents are simply: God’s WEALTH- an EXPRESSION of Himself through you…