"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
1). a lie that I'm choosing to believe, and
2). a truth that I'm choosing to reject.
Today I just want to quickly present these few "Liberating Truths" that I have recently found helpful in combating temptations to sin. I've found that whether the sin I'm tempted to is "big" or "small" if I rely on the Holy Spirit to remind me of these truths and firmly hang on to them, these simple truths can help me find a way of escape out of temptation. (I Cor. 10:13)
Because these truths are rooted in God's Word, with each truth phrase I've included verses of scripture that backs up that truth that I've been working on memorizing alongside each truth. I've seen from the example of Jesus' temptation that combating temptation with the truths of scripture is the best way to go. The first four truths I've borrowed the wording from an author named Tim Chester. His book "You Can Change" is both deeply biblical and gospel-centered as well as very practical and I recommend it. But without further ado, the Liberating Truths:
Liberating Truth #1 - God is Great, so I don't have to be in control.
“For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." - Psalm 95:3
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
(Also see Matthew 6:25-34)
Liberating Truth #2 - God is Good, so I don't have to look elsewhere.
"In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26
Liberating Truth #3 - God is Glorious, so I don't have to fear others.
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory" Psalm 115:1
"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6
Liberating Truth #4 - God is Gracious, so I don't have to prove myself.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." Romans 11:6
Liberating Truth #5 - In Christ, I am a new creation, so I don't have to define myself by my sins.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - II Cor. 5:17)
"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." Romans 6:6-7
I hope to unpack each of these truths individually in the coming weeks to explain the potential for drastic change in your life if you'll simply believe and act on these truths of scripture and the character of God.
YOUR NEXT STEP: Which of these truths do you find hardest to believe? Which is hardest for you to act on? Which truth do you need to memorize this week to combat temptation?
In Christ,
Pastor Ryan
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO
