Is Your Belief in God a Lie?

When there is a gap between what a person says and how they live, it is a dangerous place to be. - Clint Decker 

The Gallup Values and Beliefs survey recorded that 81% of Americans believe in God. However, they also conducted a survey about morally acceptable behaviors. Divorce is okay for 74%, sex outside of marriage is fine with 65%, gay or lesbian relationships are no problem for 62% and 49% Americans do not object to abortion.

How can most U.S. citizens believe in God, while holding views and practices that are contrary to His commands? Something is wrong.

When there is a gap between what a person says, what they believe or how they live and the truth, it is a dangerous place to be. Why? Because they are living a lie and hurting themselves and others. When someone says, “I believe in God,” “I believe in Jesus,” or “I am a Christian,” but their beliefs or lifestyle show the opposite, there is reason to question things.

What do people mean by “believing?” That is an important place to begin. In most cases it is an acknowledgement of someone’s belief in the “existence” of God. Their belief might demonstrate itself by asking for prayer or even praying personally. They also might go to church. Overall, in terms of their life choices, they admit they are not perfect but feel as if their belief in God does and should count for something.

Is there a singular standard for belief in God, or is it more whatever an individual feels it means to them? Jesus directly addressed this, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) Put another way, “Why do you say you believe in Me, but do not do what I command you?” If Jesus asked you that question, what would you say? On another occasion Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” (John 14:23-24) Jesus is saying the same thing here, but in a different way. These statements from Jesus are summarized by God who said, “…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13)

When we say we believe in God, it may be a form of honoring Him. Notice, however, God is more concerned about how one’s heart is toward Him, rather than what one’s lips say about Him. What demonstrates the true attitude of the heart? One’s lifestyle, choices and habits. In other words, what a person does in public and private, truly demonstrates what they really believe about God.

Let me ask an honest question. If you say you believe in God, how do you live? Do you do what He tells you?

Keep in mind the devil believes in the existence of God too. The Bible says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19). But do you know what the devil does not do? Obey God. The only person he is going to obey is himself.

When you do what God commands by faith, with a heart of love, it is a recognition of His Lordship over your life. It is a demonstration of your submission to Him. It is a true reflection of your heart toward your Creator.

No longer try to deceive yourself, others or God by honoring Him with your lips, while your day-to-day life is far from Him. To do so, is to live a lie. Jesus died and rose again to show He is Lord of lords and King of kings. As such, He commands everyone to turn to Him with their entire life by faith because He has proven He is worthy of it.

A prayer for you - Lord God, reveal if I have merely honored you with my lips, but not my life. If I have, I confess my sin and humble myself under your Kingship. From this day forward I yield my life to you by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have You Broken God’s Law?

God's moral commands are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. - Clint Decker

Annually, I fly out of the country for mission work in Africa. Therefore, as required by U.S. law, I need a passport. Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act states, It is “…unlawful for a United States citizen to attempt to depart from or enter the United States without a valid passport, except as authorized by the President.” If I violate that law, it carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. If I violate it for drug trafficking purposes it carries a 15-year sentence, and for international terrorism it can be up to 20 years. (Image by Istock) 

All 243 nations and territories of the world have laws to help govern their people. And beyond nations, there are church laws, business policies and family household rules—all of these set expectations for others.   

The English word for law, refers to a system of rules that have been laid down, or set in place, for people or an entire society. The system of rules (or laws) then influences moral behavior, determining what is right or wrong. 

In the U.S. passport law, do you see the moral nature of it? It is communicating to citizens that deception, lying, as well as drug trafficking and terrorism are wrong. It influences behavior. 

One writer on Islamic law states, “Islam does allow polygamy…[it] limits the number of wives…to four…” The Koran says, “But if you feel you may not be able to deal justly between [many wives], then marry only one.” (Holy Qur’an, 4:4). Do you see the immoral nature of this Islamic law? It influences behavior by communicating that polygamous marriages are permissible. 

As we see, laws can be either good or evil. There are also cases where laws may not be enforced regardless of their moral nature, and in some cases where laws are enforced, it may be done with a form of bribery to get a particular result.  

Where did this whole concept of “law” come from? The Lord God. The Scripture says, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.” (James 4:12) Millenia ago God laid down mankind’s first-ever laws governing marriage, family, work, as well as boundaries for what they could and could not do. He declared, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Unfortunately, our first parents, Adam and Eve, violated God’s law and suffered the consequences. Ever since, we have continued turning aside from God’s ways.     

His moral commands, for both the heart and life, are laid down for our good. He calls us to love our enemies instead of hating them, forgiveness rather than bitterness, sexual purity as opposed to sexual promiscuity and humility over pride. What is the foundation of these commands? Love. God has laid them down, because He loves us. For they benefit us, as well as our neighbor. However, we have a natural bent to push back against God’s law. We reject it. Consequently, we continually fall short of His perfect and holy standard. Therefore, we are subject to His judgement and the penalty of eternal death. Hence, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves--minus our one and only hope God has provided. Jesus. 

He came to suffer and die in your place. He took your penalty for disobedience. And because He rose again from the dead, if you turn from your ways and trust in Jesus with all your heart, you will know Him personally, be empowered to walk in His ways, and be forgiven and cleansed from all our wrongs. 

A prayer for you - Lord God, examine my ways. Have I failed to obey your moral commands? O Lord, I cannot, but only you can. I am weak, but you are strong. I am unworthy. Today I place my faith in you. Please forgive me, O gracious King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Anxious Nation

My worldview is shaped by God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Being so, this tells me there is hope in everything we face—including the battle with anxiety. - Clint Decker

“Anxiety and depression have become a new public health threat for Americans of all ages” said the Pew Research report called “The Age of Anxiety.” The Anxiety and Depression Association of America agrees with this stating that nearly 20% of Americans or 40 million people battle with anxiety disorders. (Image by Magnific)

Cleary, anxious people are all around us, and one of them might even be you. Where is the hope for those who wrestle with anxiety? Can it be overcome?

My worldview is shaped by God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Being so, this tells me there is hope in everything we face—including the battle with anxiety. It may seem like anxiety is unique to our generation, but not so. It is a symptom of the human race’s fallen condition, and we have battled with it since near the beginning of time. Being so, God directly addresses the ancient human nemesis with hope saying, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), “…do not be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25), and “Let not your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:27) God has an answer to anxiety and it is Him!

Jesus’ disciples were out on the sea at night when a storm arose causing waves to smash against their boat. In the middle of this, Jesus miraculously comes to them walking on the stormy sea in the dark of night. When the disciples saw Jesus, Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus told Peter to come, and so “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:28-33)

At first, Peter was confident walking on the water, but then he panicked. He took his focus off Jesus and fixed them on the very real and terrifying wind and waves. His panic turned to fear as he suddenly began to sink towards his death. But he cried to the only One who could save him—Jesus. “Lord save me,” Peter desperately yelled out. Then Jesus reached out His hand and lifted Peter to safety. Notice what Jesus said, “O you of little faith.” What did that mean?

The word “anxiety” in the Bible refers to “fracturing a person's being into parts.” Anxiety is a pulling or dividing of the mind in opposite directions. It also refers to choking, like when a person is “cut off” from air.

Peter was fixed, focused, heading in a singular direction, but then something happened. He instantly became divided in his mind. He began to choke when the wind and waves pulled at his attention and cut his focus off from Jesus. Then his anxiety grew into a paralyzing fear.

Anxiety, worry, panic, fear, doubt, distress and the troubles that weigh on us; they get us when we give them our full, undivided attention. Jesus combats this by teaching that when we are under attack from anxiety, to give Him our full undivided attention, and He will give us peace. The Bible says, “Casting all your anxieties on him” (1 Peter 5:7), “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22) and “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.” (John 14:1) Turning to Jesus with all our heart is the only sure foundation for fighting anxiety. When we do, we are not people of “little faith”, but rather, people of “great faith.” Jesus has conquered sin and death. He is your answer. Let Him help you.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I struggle with anxiety. Today, I believe there is hope through you. I desperately call out, asking you to deliver me, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.