WHAT AM I WORTH? (Lies we believe 1)
Time was when we could take what we are told as truth. Integrity and honesty were on the top of the list of character traits. Not any more. Now power and wealth seems to be what everyone is after. It doesn’t matter how it is attained. Telling the truth just gets in the way. We need to be very careful about everything we hear or we will be deceived. The most dangerous lies are the ones that hide inside truth so they aren’t noticed so easily. The closer to the truth they are the more deadly they become. The same is true of spiritual lies.
Human history starts with a story of Eve believing lies from Satan, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). She listened to what he was saying and, because she wasn’t well versed in the truth, she believed what Satan said (Genesis 3:3). She distorted God’s truth by adding to what God said (“nor shall you touch the fruit”). That was the weak link Stan needed to get her to believe his lie. He told her that God was withholding something good from her. The truth is that God never withholds anything good (Psalm 84:11). If He doesn’t give us something, He knows it isn’t ‘good’ for us.
Once a lie is believed then it is acted on. Beliefs lead to actions (Proverbs 23:7). And actions have consequences. Eve encouraged Adam to disobey and eat, and the consequence was sin entering the world (Romans 5:12). Satan has been lying to us ever since.
One of the most common lies that we believe is that we lack worth, we are inferior and failures. Believing this lie takes away our joy and peace, and it leads to trying to earn approval and acceptance from God and others. We think we haven’t been successful in life, we aren’t smart, or our appearance is lacking. That’s because we compare ourselves to others using an imaginary standard of perfection. What really matters, though, is what God thinks of us, what He thinks we are worth.
The value of something is determined by what price will be paid for it. That is true of jewelry, homes, clothing and everything we purchase. It is also true of our souls. What price was God willing to pay for us? Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, because of the joy awaiting Him (Hebrews 12:2). Sometimes we think that joy was heaven, but He already had been in heaven and left it to attain this joy. He could have returned to heaven any time without having to go to the cross. The joy He gained through the cross was having US with Him in heaven! That shows how much we are worth to Him. It dishonors Him when we think we are without worth. It is a lie of Satan to defeat us and take glory from God. Don’t let it work with you!
John 8:44 “The devil … was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Psalm 139: 13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Hebrews 12:2 because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Do you still believe the lie that you aren’t worth much, that something is lacking in you? Spend time thinking about the price Jesus paid for you. He thought of you on the cross. If you would have been the only sinner He still would have done it just for you. His love gives us unimaginable worth. Thank Him for it.
by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization