The Lies We Tell Ourselves(From Our 3-23-25 Worship)
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/zOwDWD_wvb8
Summary:
Sure! Here's a concise summary of that message, broken into sections with bullet points and supported by Scripture where relevant (ESV):
Summary:
Sure! Here's a concise summary of that message, broken into sections with bullet points and supported by Scripture where relevant (ESV):
Main Theme: The Danger of Lying to Ourselves
The speaker uses both historical and biblical examples to demonstrate how self-deception can be spiritually and personally devastating.
Introduction: Reality vs. Illusion
- Spying looks glamorous in movies (like James Bond), but real-life spies often become entangled in lies.
- Example: Kim Philby, a British intelligence officer and double agent for the Russians.
- Betrayed his country for 30 years.
- Fled to Russia in 1963, but was miserable and died of alcoholism.
- He became trapped in the lies he told himself.
Lesson: Self-deception is powerful and destructive.
Biblical Case Study: Numbers 13
- God's people are on the verge of entering the Promised Land.
- 12 spies are sent to explore it. 10 bring a negative report, 2 (Joshua and Caleb) are faithful.
Numbers 13:28 (ESV) – “However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large…”
Lies We Tell Ourselves: Key Observations from Numbers 13
1. We Tint the Facts
- The spies acknowledge the land is good but inject fear with the word “however.”
- Like window tint, fear distorts our view of reality.
Application: We can perceive situations negatively based on emotion, not truth.
2. We Ignore Wise Counsel
- Caleb (v. 30) urges them to trust God and go forward.
- The people ignore him because his words don’t match their fearful narrative.
How often do we reject truth because it doesn't align with the story we've told ourselves?
3. We Cement Opinions as Facts
- Verse 31 (ESV): “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”
- They assume they can’t win without evidence. Fear and doubt hardened into "truth."
Like cement, fear mixed with doubt solidifies false beliefs in our minds.
4. We Abandon Logic
- Verse 32 – The land is said to devour its people and have strong giants.
- This contradiction shows their fear overtook reason.
Fear bypasses logic. Emotional lies often don’t make sense—but we believe them anyway.
5. We Project Our Insecurities
- Verse 33 (ESV): "We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."
- They assumed others viewed them as weak—without knowing.
We often believe others see us how we see ourselves, but that’s rarely accurate.
Result of Self-Deception: Numbers 14
- The people weep, grumble, and wish to return to slavery in Egypt.
- They say, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt!” (v. 2)
- They reject God’s deliverance and leadership.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) – "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Spiritual Application
- Self-deception is subtle but dangerous—it can keep us from God's promises.
- Lies we tell ourselves (like “I can’t”) are often planted by others or by past pain.
- The mind can trap us in fear, but God calls us to truth, faith, and sound thinking.
Closing Invitation
- If you've been lying to yourself, today is the day to stop.
- God loves you. Others love you. And the truth can set you free (cf. John 8:32).
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