What do you believe that isn’t true?
“Isn’t true?” you say. “Why would I believe something that isn’t true?”
You probably wouldn’t choose to believe a lie if you knew it was a lie. But how do you know what you don’t know? You know what I mean?
If all the TV shows and movies show unmarried couples sleeping together and living together and they seem happy and there don’t seem to be any negative consequences, how do you determine if living together is okay? How do you know if getting married first was just an archaic societal trend and now things are different?
How about when you are feeling under the pile? You can’t find a job. The credit cards are out of control again. And, by the way, you and your spouse haven’t made love in over three weeks. Then you have what seems like a brilliant idea: Eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Cherries Garcia while filling out bankruptcy paperwork! How do you know if that’s a good idea?
Or, you’re pretty sure your spouse doesn’t love you. He’s not acting right. He seems preoccupied when you want to talk to him. She’s always busy with the kids and house and doesn’t seem to have time for you. How do you know if what you feel and believe is true?
There is a place that is the source of truth: God’s Word. When you need to know if you are believing a lie, that’s where you go for a Reality Check.
Here’s a micro sample:
Should I structure my beliefs around fluid societal trends?
“I am the Lord. I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
This situation is never going to get better. I need to take matters into my own hands.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
You are overwhelmed by negative thoughts and suspicions running through your head.
There are hundreds of verses that might alter your thinking on this one. Start with, “[God] will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” (Zephaniah 3:17) You might ask God to help you take the log out of your own eye before getting bent out of shape about your spouse’s behavior. (Matthew 7:5) Or, you might follow the example of Jesus who chose to serve people who were self-interested and weren’t treating him very nicely.
I’m not saying the “truth” will pop up quickly as though you were doing a Google search. You have to study God’s words—praying that He will show you His truth.
How do you know if you are believing a lie? By “being transformed through the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
