MORE UNTRUE STATEMENTS PEOPLE BELIEVE
I did a sermon a couple of weeks ago about statements that we might’ve thought were biblical but aren’t. I have some more statements that we might have a tendency to believe are true but aren’t. Let’s take a look at the misconceptions behind these popular quotes.
1) I sold my soul to the devil. This is said by people who sell themselves out to do the devil’s bidding. Whether they become out and out Satanists or just make a pact with the devil, they knowingly and purposely sign a proverbial contract with the devil for one reason or another. The reality is that I can’t really sell my soul to the devil-it’s already his!
Rom. 3:23 says we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. This covers everyone-it doesn’t matter who you are. Whether you’re Hitler or Mother Theresa-both are going to hell unless they become born-again.
John 3:16-18. “Stands condemned already”. If I’ m not a follower of Jesus I am the walking dead; spiritually speaking. I am currently condemned. It’s not easy to face that reality. To think that I am currently condemned is a rather sobering thought. There is no neutral ground when it comes to where I stand with God. I’m either for him or against him; I’m either saved or I’m not. It’s not that I’m okay unless I sell my soul to the devil; my soul already belongs to him because of sin. And my soul will remain his unless I accept Christ as Lord and Savior. The only way out is through Christ. Remember, we aren’t automatically a child of God-we become a child of God.
The idea of selling my soul to the devil is deceiving because it allows me to think my soul automatically belongs to God unless I sell it to the devil; but that’s not the reality. As hard as that is to come to terms with, I guess I’d rather be uncomfortable knowing the truth than be comfortable believing a lie.
I can’t really sell my soul to the devil because it’s already his; unless I become born again and give my soul to Jesus. I can’t sell my soul to Jesus; I have to give it to him. He didn’t sell himself to me-he gave himself for me. I cannot buy salvation-it’s a free gift as Romans 6:23 states. Therefore, because God gave me the gift of salvation I respond with giving him my life. Because of my sin my soul once belonged to Satan but Christ has set me free and now I belong to him.
2) The devil made me do it. Flip Wilson might have popularized this phrase but we can see it’s concept in the book of Genesis. When Adam and Eve sinned they hid from God. When God questioned them they both started playing the blame game and were coming up with excuses.
Gen. 3:11-13. Adam was blaming Eve and Eve was blaming the serpent. But in reality, God had given them the power to resist. He’s not going to tell them not to eat of the fruit of the tree without giving them the power to do it-that wouldn’t be right. That’s why God was justified in giving them consequences for their disobedience (16-19).
So, Adam and Eve had no excuse-they disobeyed because they chose to. The serpent played a part-if the serpent hadn’t messed with Eve’s mind she probably wouldn’t have given the fruit a second glance. So, the devil bore some responsibility but Eve had a choice and she unfortunately entertained the serpent’s cunning for too long. So we see that although the devil plays a part-we still have the power to choose.
James 1:13-14. Here we see that I can’t blame God because he doesn’t tempt anyone to sin. I have evil desires. Satan tempts us according to what will get to us. Certain temptations will appeal to me some won’t. But the ones that I have fallen prey to before are the ones Satan will continue to come after me with. And once I start to entertain those desires and linger there for a while I will no doubt end-up sinning.
However, as much as I want to blame Satan for dangling the carrot in front of my face, I can’t because it’s my choice whether or not I want to grab it or not. I can’t blame Burger King for making me fat, I can’t blame the tobacco company for my lung cancer, I can’t blame Budweiser for my alcoholism. These things might be the cause but they are not to blame. I have a choice whether or not I want to eat healthy, I have the choice whether or not I want to smoke or drink. I have the choice whether or not I want to sin.
1st Cor. 10:13 says that God provides a way out of every temptation. 1st John 4:4, says that greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world. This sounds like I have the power to overcome. I guess this means I don’t have an excuse for my sin. I guess this means I can’t blame anyone but myself when I sin. As a Christian the devil can’t make me do anything. If I sin it’s because I choose to.
3) Everything happens for a reason. The truth is that there is a reason why everything happens but sometimes it’s not a good one. But that’s not the implication behind this statement. This is built on the premise of there being a good reason why everything happens. Everything? This means when someone commits violent and heinous acts against another person God has a good reason for it happening. Really?
Now, hold on Derrick. What about what Joseph said in Gen. 50:20? Joseph’s brothers were jealous because of the multi-colored coat their father gave him. And they were mad at him when he told them about his dreams regarding there coming a day when he would rule over them. So, they threw him in a cistern and when some travelers came by they sold him to them. Joseph found himself in Egypt where he eventually became second in command.
When there was a famine people came from miles around to get grain from Egypt. Some of these people were Joseph’s brothers. Joseph had changed in appearance so they didn’t know it was him. When the secret was out they were afraid, thinking Joseph would get them back for what they had done to him.
But Joseph said in Gen. 50:19-21, “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
First of all, even if all of what happened to Joseph was orchestrated by God it doesn’t mean it’s meant to be the standard. God may have had a reason for everything that happened in this situation but that doesn’t mean that’s true in every situation. With that said, let’s look at some things about this situation.
Going on the premise that everything happens for a good reason, does this mean God wanted Joseph’s brothers to be jealous? God wanted Joseph’s brothers to sell him? God wanted his brothers to lie (sin) and tell Israel that his son was dead? God wanted to bring unnecessary grief upon Israel?
If the answer is no then what did Joseph mean? I believe what’s going on here is God had a plan despite their plan. God intended to use Joseph to do good despite his brothers’ intentions to get rid of him for good. God knew how this would all turn out. God brought good out of evil intentions. Joseph decided not to seek revenge against his brothers because he saw God’s hand at work in his life despite the hardships he had to face.
We need to see that too; otherwise we will be mad at God and blame him for everything. God allows everything to happen but that doesn’t mean he wants everything to happen the way it does. God doesn’t want us to make poor choices. God doesn’t want people to sin. Can God turn things around after we screw up? Can God bring good out of a bad situation? Yes, but that doesn’t mean he wanted it to happen that way.
God does have a reason for a lot of things that happen. There are many things that happen in life that are unexplainable. These kinds of things happen so the person will recognize that God’s hand was in it. There are times in our lives where we can look back and see how God worked at just the right time. We shouldn’t call it chance or luck; we shouldn’t call it coincidental-it was God.
But there are also times where we mistakenly place the hand of God on something that we shouldn’t. Saying “everything happens for a reason” to someone after something tragic happened to them not only comes across as insensitive, but we can unwittingly put God in a negative light because it can erroneously attribute to him something evil. God allows everything to happen but he doesn’t cause everything to happen. Bad stuff happens and God can bring something good out of it but it doesn’t mean he wants bad things to happen so that he can have the opportunity to do good.
4) What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. This is believed and supported by a lot of people. It’s even the name of a song by Kelly Clarkson. First of all, this quote originated from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Nietzsche is also the one who said, “God is dead” so how much we should trust coming from him is quite questionable.
However, this can sometimes be a true statement. But there’s the rub; although this can be true it’s not necessarily true. When tragedy strikes I can have two responses-it can make me stronger through determination and perseverance but it can also work in the other direction and make me depressed and push me into sin.
When kids grow up in abusive or impoverished homes some are determined to rise above it and do a complete 180 while others end up following the example that was set for them. So, there’s no guarantee that making it through negative circumstances will cause me to be a stronger person.
With that said, however, if I choose to respond positively to negative circumstances, I will be better off spiritually. Rom. 5:3-4, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Going through trials and tribulations with the right attitude can build my character and strengthen my walk. I come through trials with some resiliency and a sense of accomplishment.
James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” If I have the right attitude going into a difficult situation I can see it as an opportunity to grow stronger in the faith. I can see times of testing as an opportunity to handle situations maturely and gain spiritual characteristics like patience and self-control.
However, on the flip-side of that, if I don’t engage the Holy Spirit’s power when adversity strikes then the result can be disastrous. Responding poorly to difficult situations results in depression, anxiety, fear, worry, doubt. It can push me toward addictions, anger outbursts, even a suicide attempt. So, going through adversity with the right attitude and perspective will make me stronger but there is no guarantee that encountering life’s hardships will automatically make me a stronger person; it all depends on how I deal with them.
