Spiritual growth

Talking Out the Lies

Often the hardest battles are not on the outside but within. Some people can internalize an issue and come to a resolution. I am not that person. Most of the time I need to talk it out, write it out, sing it out– do something to get the truth out of my head and into reality. Lies creep in (or are sometimes ingrained in us), and they take root. The thing about most roots is that they don’t just stay in one direction. Rather, they spread out, creating a firmer hold. One lie doesn’t usually stay within one area of our lives, but it permeates throughout every aspect of our being, which can lead to doubt, self-loathing, and lack of confidence among other things. What I think about myself becomes what I think others think about me, leading to miscommunication and focusing on the world’s view rather than the Lord. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to end, and one way is to talk out the truth. Sometimes I do this by writing in my journal, but other times I need someone I can trust– who’s not afraid to point out the truth in love– to listen and point out the lies. And sometimes I need to write a blog post because I know the Lord will speak His truth and also hold me accountable for what I write (even when it’s not always fun to be held accountable).

In a spirit of honesty, there are times I want to believe the lies. That sounds crazy, right? Why would I want to do that? Because it gives me a sense of justification for my actions and frustrations. My flesh wants to feel the anger or sadness, but it is not real justification. Rather, it’s perceived as an easy way out of the situation while actually causing more pain to myself and those around me. As a Christian, I am called to resist my flesh and fight the lies even when it’s harder than giving in. I should know who I am and Whose I am:

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,  and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:6-8 (NASB)

“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:12-14 (NASB)

Paul encourages the Philippians with the following words:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 (bold type added for emphasis)

It all comes down to the same choice: flesh versus Spirit. There is no room for excuses or self-justification. I either act and think according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. The enemy wants me to doubt what God has called me to do. He wants me to fail and to see myself as a failure. He wants me to believe the lies that lead to miscommunication with others, splintering relationships. He wants to get me alone with my thoughts because that’s where his battleground is strongest. Even after being a Christian for many years, I still need to hear the question: Does God say or think that about you? It’s yes or no. If it’s “no”, then the only other option is the enemy. When I can identify the “who” then I can address the situation with truth in mind. I am the hardest on myself, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who struggles with that. But as a Christian of about 30 years, it’s time for me to grow up spiritually and act on God’s truth first instead of desiring my fleshly justification.  

As I started reading through the Old Testament again, I recently read through God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt in the book of Exodus. It’s easy to think harshly of the Israelites as they grumbled in the wilderness, saying they’d rather go back to Egypt when they were facing trials. They had just experienced multiple miracles of the Lord, and yet they dared to grumble. But then that still small voice says to me, “You do that, too.” Oh the patience and lovingkindness of the Lord! How many times have I been on the mountaintop, trusting in myself, and then in the valley, wondering where God is? Or in truth, did I need the valley to bring me back to Him? And that is the love of the Father, who gives me what I need and not what I want. What I want does not always align with His will, and if I truly desire His will, my contentment shouldn’t change whether I’m on the mountain or in the valley. What’s beautiful is that He’s there in the midst of it all, never leaving or forsaking, as long as I am reaching for Him and desiring Him.

This world offers many things, but at what cost? I serve a God who gave it all so that I could be with Him, my Creator, for eternity. He is not a tolerant God, but He is patient (2 Peter 3:8-9). He is both wrathful and loving, fierce and gentle, disciplinary and comforting. He is the All in all, the Alpha and Omega, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Judge, the Almighty, the Holy One. If I talk out the lies, He will remind me that He is Truth, and that I am His. Let my anger be righteous against the enemy and not against His children. Let His love permeate through Me to others. Let my life be a testimony of God’s goodness. Let His truth reign in me and in all of us who call ourselves by His name, which is the name above all names: Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9).

Talk out the lies and let His truth fill you.

© Lauren Demuth

Do We Really Want the Truth?

My family and I just got back from visiting the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky. I had visited both places about a decade ago, and it was great to be there with more family members this time, learning about the truth of God’s creation and to see a close replica of the ark that Noah and his family had built. If you have never been there, it is beyond astonishing! The size and magnitude is something to behold as well as all the potential ways the decks and animals could have been arranged. The dedication and faith it took to accomplish such a feat is almost incomprehensible. To be in a world surrounded by immense sin, yet to remain faithful to God’s command for decades before the flood came is a story to encourage every believer to stand strong. It seems that such a time is happening now where a line has been drawn, and professed Christians and the rest of the world are being challenged to choose whose side they will be on. There are many messages being taught—do we really want the truth?

When we think of prophecy, we often find it exciting and mysterious. But if we look at Scripture, a prophet was a messenger of God that often had to deliver a harsh message due to disobedience and unfaithfulness. While the faithful followers of God held a true prophet in high esteem, I believe it’s safe to say that they were not usually popular, especially among disobedient rulers. Micaiah is one such prophet that made waves. In 1 Kings 22, Jehoshaphat was a righteous king of Judah, and Ahab was a wicked king of Israel (Samaria). Both kings desired to join together to take back Ramoth-gilead, but Jehoshaphat required Ahab to inquire of the Lord whether they should fight. Ahab gathered 400 prophets together and asked if he should go to battle, and all of them replied that the Lord will give it into the king’s hand (v. 6). But Jehoshaphat, knowing that these were not prophets of the LORD, asked Ahab, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” (v.7). Ahab responds in verse 8, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” While waiting for Micaiah to be summoned, all the prophets were continuously telling the kings that the Lord will give Ramoth-gilead into their hand (v. 12). Even the messenger who gets Micaiah tells him to speak favorably since all the other prophets did the same (v. 13). Yet Micaiah says, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I shall speak” (v. 14). Being a messenger of God is not about pleasing man but about relaying God’s message, however difficult, to His people. At first when Ahab asks Micaiah what he should do, Micaiah repeats the message of the other prophets, but the king responds, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” (vv. 15-16). It seems that the king knows Micaiah is one who speaks the truth, yet he desires to listen to all the other prophets. First, Micaiah relays a message about Israel being scattered like sheep without a shepherd (v. 17). Then he provides some interesting insight to what was actually happening in the spiritual realm in vv. 19-23:

“Micaiah said, ‘Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’ Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.”

Ahab commands Micaiah to be put in prison and to feed him sparingly with bread and water until his safe return from the fight. Micaiah makes the comment, “If you indeed return safely the LORD has not spoken by me” (vv. 27-28). Both kings go up to fight against Ramoth-gilead, not heeding the word of the LORD. Ahab tried to be clever and disguise himself so he would not be attacked, but Scripture says that a man drew his bow at random which struck Ahab in a joint of the armor (v. 34). God’s plan would not be thwarted despite Ahab’s best efforts. Ahab died that evening, and the dogs licked up his blood that flowed from the chariot, as the LORD had already told him would happen (1 Kings 21:19).

Ahab could have listened to the word of the LORD and been saved. Some people may question why God would send a spirit to entice Ahab. Isn’t He a loving God who doesn’t want harm? God’s love was demonstrated through Micaiah, the prophet who told Ahab the truth, but God knew Ahab wouldn’t listen. There was still a choice, but Ahab was going to do what he desired. He delighted in flattering lips more than a warning that would save his life.

So what is the point of sharing this? Right now we have many messages coming at us from politics, social media, family, friends, churches of all denominations, the conservatives and the leftists. But only God’s truth will prevail. That truth is not warm and fuzzy. It often does not align with our personal desires and plans. The LORD God is the only true God who seeks out faithful followers—people who are not afraid to speak His words of truth even if the world hates it. And it will hate it. If we are honest, we often think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. I know I have made that mistake, thinking that being a Christian for almost 30 years automatically makes me wise. Rather, it makes me more accountable for the things I know, and that accountability comes with a price if I don’t live up to it. God is loving, kind, and merciful, and we know this because of Christ and His sacrifice. But He is also wrathful and will take vengeance on the wicked because everyone has been given the opportunity to know the truth. Especially now, as the gospel is being preached for the world to hear, no one is without excuse. Are we willing to ask God for the truth about ourselves and what we must do to become the instruments He created us to be for His glory? Are we willing to change our lives—possibly even careers and relationships—to live the life He has called us to live? There are times I don’t want to ask God for the truth in a situation because, like Ahab, I don’t want to hear it; but deep down I already know the truth. I can either choose to keep doing what I want and ignore God’s word, or embrace it and trust that it is the best way even though it may be hard. I can say with confidence that trusting God brings freedom. In John 8:31-32, Jesus says to the Jews who believed Him after preaching about Himself (refer to vv. 12-30),

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

We live in a fallen world with temporary pleasures, but our desire as Christians should be for the eternal rewards that can’t be burned away (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). We may have to make difficult choices that other people in our lives may not understand. But if we know that we are following God’s will, those choices are the right ones. We cannot fail if we listen to Him. The line has been drawn. Will we follow the way of Ahab or the way of Micaiah?

God has given us the choice, and His truth is for anyone who desires to understand it. But don’t delay, as James writes in James 4:14: “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

Father, forgive us where we have fallen short. May the church, Your bride, glorify your Name and demonstrate Your love and truth to the world. Thwart the plans of the enemy so that all those who will choose You will come to the knowledge of Your truth and become part of Your kingdom. Help us to follow You even if it means making difficult decisions so that our faith and hope can be strengthened. Open the eyes of the spiritually blind and the ears of the spiritually deaf, and use us to bring Your truth to them. Thank you for your everlasting grace and mercy and Your willingness to save us in our sin. Help us to fight evil with truth and to prevail because You are with us. Amen.

©Lauren Demuth

Growing from Impatient Children to Grateful Disciples

Jesus often taught His disciples using lessons from everyday life. He used what they understood to provide a launching point into the wisdom of the kingdom of God. I believe He still uses this method of teaching today as we live out our lives—as long as we have ears to hear.

Last week I decided that my son and I were going to visit my mom. My son had been asking for awhile to visit, and my mom mentioned the idea so I was on board. Then I thought it would be a good idea to tell my son (a 4-year-old) three days in advance that we were going. My motive was to give him something to look forward to and to build an excitement as we counted the days. But that’s not exactly what happened. Each morning he’d wake up ready to go to Gigi’s house, and then the tears started as I told him not yet. I kept reminding him that we ARE going, just not today. When the day finally arrived, I couldn’t wait to get in the car and drive just so I didn’t have to hear him ask me over and over when we were leaving. We arrived and had fun at a nearby park, and then I made the mistake of telling him plans in advance again. “We’re going to get pizza and then go to the store afterwards.” He wanted to look at toys at the store so instead of enjoying time eating delicious pizza, all he wanted to do was rush and get to the store. As I’m sitting with my son and mom, I tell her (paraphrased here), “He has no concept of time. It doesn’t matter when I say it will happen, he thinks it’s right now.” And then I heard the Lord do a little “Ahem” in my ear. He was pretty much saying, “You know you do the same thing, right?” I even said out loud at the table, “OK, Lord, I get it” and had to laugh.

The next day I was being good and NOT telling my son in advance that we were going to the zoo. I just said, “What do you want to do today?” He replied that he wanted to go to the park. Then I had to open my mouth and say, “Oh there’s a playground where we’re going.” Do you think he wanted to see the amazing animals in the zoo when we got there? All he kept saying was that he wanted to go to the playground. I told him that we will get there eventually, but we’re going to see some awesome animals on the way. When it became clear that the time was getting closer for the zoo to close and the tram had too long of a line to wait, we walked as fast as we could to get to the playground. We bypassed so many neat exhibits and rushed to get there that we couldn’t quite enjoy our crazy walk (uphill almost the whole way!). We finally arrived, and of course, he was blissfully happy just to play on the playground with other kids (it seemed their parents had a similar story to tell).

I kept saying to myself and to my mom that I’m just not going to tell my son anymore what we’re doing until we get somewhere. That would be easier, and maybe that’s for the best sometimes. But I know that God was showing me how we often are with Him. We look at children and think that they’re so impatient and have no concept of time, and then we mistakenly think we’ve grown out of this way of thinking. Too often we are just the same with God. He doesn’t have to tell us what’s coming next, but He often gives us directions whether it’s in Scripture or in our individual lives. And why does He do it? To make us impatient? No! Just like I was motivated by love for my son to see him excited and full of joy and hope that something amazing was about to happen, God our Father loves us so much that He wants to give us hope and a glimpse into the beauty of what’s to come. But instead of rejoicing , knowing that His goodness and blessings are coming our way, all we can focus on is “Why is it not here yet? I want it, and I want it now!” And we miss everything else around us and the beauty of the journey to get to that blessing. Maybe God is trying to shape us before we get there. Maybe we’re not ready for it if we had it right now. The truth is He doesn’t have to show us at all, but because His love is so extravagant He WANTS to show us His blessings in our lives. He WANTS to give us hope. He WANTS to build our faith as we trust that our Father is honest, pure, true, and holy. He KEEPS His word.

In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus talks to His disciples about the Father’s goodness:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

The Father is kind and generous to give to His children who ask Him! But notice it doesn’t say He gives the good gift right away. Could He do that? Sure! But too often this is the expectation, and instead of rejoicing in anticipation and praying for God to prepare us for what He has in store, we get frustrated. Sometimes we get angry. I can say that because I’ve been there. “God, You said that this business would be successful, but nothing is happening!” “God, you said I would have another child, but it’s been years!” In reflection, this anger demonstrates my lack of faith. Yet the Father has been so gracious to teach me all of these things so that I can stop being an impatient child and learn to be a grateful disciple—one who trusts the word of the Lord God of the universe even when I can’t see over the mountain in front of me.

Just like I kept telling my son, “Just wait, we’re almost there,” He’s saying the same to each one of us: “Just wait, your blessing is coming. Trust Me, I am not leading you astray. You may have a journey to get there, but keep your eyes open for more blessings on the way. Keep your focus on ME and not on the blessing itself because you’ll miss more of what I have for you. I want to give you LIFE! Trust that My timing is perfect because I created time and am outside of time. You are in the best hands because I am IN all and THROUGH all and ABOVE all things. I AM.”

©Lauren Demuth