Lies of the Devil

We are living in a time when so many people are creating memories in their head that never occurred. These are not their own thoughts, they are from the devil who paints pictures in the minds of defenseless unbelievers to cause problems in relationships.

Many people I have known have been accused of things they never did or said.

One very famous case was in the garden of Eden when the devil placed doubts in Eve's head saying "did God really say that?" His purpose was to cause Eve to distrust God. If he could get her to distrust God she would resist listening to the very One Who created her. Satan accused God of lying to Eve, even withholding information from her to prevent her from becoming like God.

Eve believed the devil because he flattered her, she liked that he was making her feel as powerful as God, even to the point that she could defy his command to not eat from the tree.

Don't think for one minute that the devil created the doubts in mankind just that one time. He has been continuing to destroy interpersonal relationships from the very beginning.

The truth is that most people do not have the courage or dedication to remain strong against lies. The sad truth is that most people will cave easily to the pressure of their peers to fit with the crowd. The pull of the crowd is far greater than the dedication to truth and righteousness.

All we have to do is look around us to see all the people who are indulging in the latest fad or fashion so as not to stand out. They will give up important character traits to be able to be loved by others.

Titus 1:9
"He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

One cannot rebuke or administer sound doctrine if they fear the reaction of others.

1 Peter 2:1-25
"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ..."

Our love for Christ must be so great that rejection of others is completely irrelevant. We must be able to walk away from those who love their pride and acceptance of others more than they love God.

Psalm 34:17-20
"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken."

No one will be as close to us or as dedicated to our well being as Christ is, no one should be honored above Him.

Luke 10:16
“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Where is your loyalty is it to Christ or to man?