Untrue Statements People Believe

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.