The Top 12 Lies you’ll hear in College
Note: There are numerous sources for the information here.
Jn.8:32 - Jesus says, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
Denzel Washington started out the “Great Debaters” saying, “I am here to help you to find, take back, and keep your righteous mind.”
That is the goal of this talk, to equip you to stand strong in your faith in the midst of an onslaught.
There are a ton of lies you’ll hear in college...Here are a 12 big ones!
Lie #1 - Your professor knows everything.
We’ve had profs encourage students to consider suicide, kick students that differ politically and even admit to routinely lying to their students to “see if they’re paying attention.”
Every professor you meet will have some kind of agenda (not necessarily a bad one); you’ve just got to learn to be discerning and wise about what you hear.
Lie #2 - is a lie already being told: there is no absolute Truth.
When you hear that one, ask if they believe that statement is true. Then ask if they plan to give out all As.
Lie #3 - Says all religions are the same.
Steve Turner illustrated the naivete of that statement saying, "...all religions are basically the same...They all believe in love and goodness. They only differ on matters of creation, sin, heaven, hell, God and salvation."
Lie #4 - Tells us Christianity is intolerant (...and so is math!!!)
Claiming exclusivity is the nature of truth.
It is not intolerant to say one is right and another is wrong.
Every class you are in will grade you according to that paradigm.
It is important to know the Truth and recognize it is true and then to be loving, receiving and tolerant of those that may disagree with you.
Gregory Koukl makes a great distinction in Tactics, saying, “Jesus' teaching made some people furious. Just make sure it's your ideas that offend and not you, that your beliefs cause the dispute and not your behavior.”
And on that note...Christians do owe an apology to a lot of people we’ve hurt. Be quick to show those people God’s love.
Lie #5 - The party scene is fulfilling.
Partying, drinking, drugs and sexual experimentation will leave you lonely, insecure, afraid, empty, lost, confused and searching for acceptance and love.
The party scene will chew you up and spit you out. It will not satisfy.
50% of college students will be so depressed during college they will be unable to function. The American College Health Association
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among these students.
In a recent survey done by MTV, 42% of college students said they felt lonely.
Compare that with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and the abundant life Christ offers. Only Jesus satisfies!
Lie #6 - Porn, hooking up and sex outside of marriage are satisfying.
Porn is everywhere. It doesn’t satisfy and will kill!
Physical pain:
65 Million Americans have an incurable STD.
Stanford University estimates that 25% of college students have an incurable STD.
Emotional pain.
Broken relationships, broken marriages, broken families at an all time high.
Don’t wait because of all that though, wait because of the GREAT marriage and sex God has planned for you.
Lie #7 - I can get my life right with God later.
Student story.
Lie #8 - I don’t need fellowship.
Over 80% of incoming Christian students will walk away from God this year.
You can connect with God anywhere and anytime but you need others to keep you strong.
Challenge: commit here or somewhere else!
Lie #9 - Science and Christianity don’t mix.
1st misconception: faith and data don’t mix.
All knowledge requires a level of faith and all faith requires a level of knowledge.
2nd misconception: evolution destroys Christianity.
If it occurred it would be observed in the fossil record - it is not!
If it occurred it would have a scientifically confirmable method - it does not!
If it occurred it would have to explain how life came from non-life - It does not.
If it occurred it would have to explain the origin of design and information - it does not!.
If it occurred it would have to explain the existence of matter it does not.
By their own admission it can’t rule out God.
3rd misconception: The Bible is scientifically inaccurate.
The BIble is full of science and many of the most famous scientists in history have been Christians!
A few examples.
Radioactive decay: 2 Peter 3:10.
Becquerel, a Christian, is the scientist that discovered that in 1896. The Bible described it in 65 AD - The Bible wins by 1,831 years!
The expansion of the universe; Job 26:7.
Hubble, Christian (?), is the scientist that discovered that in 1929. The Bible described it in 600 BC - The Bible wins by 2,529 years!
Earth’s foundation – hung on nothing; Job 26:7.
Copernicus, a Christian, is the scientist that discovered that in 1543. The Bible described it in 600 BC - The Bible wins by 2,143 years!
That air has weight; Job 28:25.
Lavoisier, a Christian, is the scientist that discovered that in 1778. The Bible described it in 600 BC - Bible wins by 2,378 years!
2nd Law of Thermodynamics! Is.51:6
Max Planck, a Christian, is the scientist that discovered and defined that in the mid 1800s. The Bible defined it in 600 BC - The Bible wins by 2,378 years!
Galileo, the Father of Astronomy and analytical science, Newton, the pioneer of modern Physics, Descartes, the originator of modern mathematics, and Pasteur, the founder of microbiology are just a few of the many other Christians who laid the foundation for modern science.
Lie #10 - You can’t trust the Bible (ex. Too many translations).
There are many great reasons to trust the Bible. Here are a few:
The most authentic ancient text - thousands of early copies.
Scientifically accurate.
Historically accurate.
Prophetically accurate.
Cyrus (Is.44:28)
Alexander the Great (Dan.8:5-12)
Jesus’ crucifixion (Ps.22:16).
Jesus - 300 prophecies, Odds of just 8 - 1 in 1017
Those are just a few.
Lie #11 - College students aren’t interested in Jesus.
96.7% of the students we’ve met this year are interested in spirituality.
The average spiritual interest level is 6.3 out of 10.
33% wanted to hear more about Jesus specifically.
Nothing else makes any sense, nothing else satisfies and nothing else works.
Lie #12 - Jesus was just a good teacher or a nice guy.
Jesus’ own words make that impossible.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty; streams of living water will flow from within him. I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. All who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise. Anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish. If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Sin is unbelief in me. Everyone who sins is a slave of sin; they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. Those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete; so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Be sure of this: I am with you always; I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.
C.S. Lewis said Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or Lord. Who do you say He is?
If you know Jesus, He’s put you here to share Him, the only hope with those around you.
If you don’t know Jesus: 4 L
See you next week!
