Elephant in the Room — The Lies in Our Culture - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
2 Timothy 4:1
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom… (ESV)
Before moving to Lexington, I lived in Nashville for the better part of 6 years. And as a book-loving person, it didn’t take too long to find one of the largest secondhand bookstores I’ve ever stepped foot in: McKay’s. It is a two-story building filled to the brim with thousands of books, movies, board games, and even secondhand electronics. My friends and I visited many times over the years, and every time I would always walk straight back to the books and browse through my favorite sections. Inevitably, over in the nonfiction somewhere between checking for a good sewing book (there never were any) and looking through the Spanish section, I’d make a wrong turn down the self-help aisle. Titles like Can’t Hurt Me, The Joy of Being Selfish, and I Love Me More lined those shelves, shouting their self-centered gospel just a few shelves down from the actual Gospel.
In 2 Timothy 4:1, Paul writes to his understudy Timothy, who preached the Gospel in the very same Ephesus as our Jewish exorcists from Monday’s devo—just a few years down the line. He says, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom…” Paul starts off by recognizing God and His omnipotence (that is, infinite power), calling back to a Truth we see in the first four words of Scripture, “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1). Simple, sure, but Paul reminded Timothy of something super important: You are not God.
Every false gospel, religion, and ideology ultimately teaches the same idea, placing self as the center and giving you more authority than you really have by saying one way or another, “You are god.”
Our Creator sent His one and only Son to die on the cross and raise to life, establishing His Kingdom and His authority. One day, whether we choose to believe it this side of eternity or not, we will stand before God and face judgment as Jesus describes in Matthew 25: 31-46.
Unlike those self-help books, God really does have the power to change your life.
APPLICATION
One really great way to wage war against the lies of the enemy and align our hearts with God is to do three things: worship, pray, and read scripture. And this evening, we’re doing just that. Join us at any of Southland’s five campuses at 7pm for an hour dedicated to prioritizing the One who matters most.
Click here to learn more and join us for First Wednesday Worship.
PRAYER
Lord, give me a discerning heart that I might recognize the lies that try to pull me away from You. You are sovereign over all.
