Liberating Truths (Pt. 2)

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

In my last post I talked about how that every time I fall into temptation there's always

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

Serious - Scriptures on the Wisdom of God

This Sunday I made the statement that the best way to begin to express the wisdom of God is to first get acquainted with God, then begin to study the wisdom found in His Word. Here's a few scriptures to get you started.

Romans 16:27 "To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Job 12:13 "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his."
Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."
Romans 11:33 "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Psalm 111:10 " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."
Proverbs 2:6 " For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Proverbs 4:6 " Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
Provers 16:16 " How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"
Ecclesiastes 7:11 "Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun."
James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."

More Later,
Ryan Fillinger
Fusion Church
Fountain, CO

Welcome to the Seriouly Ridiculous Blog!

Hey Everybody! Thanks for checking out the Seriously Ridiculous blog. All through the Seriously Ridiculous series this June, this blog will be updated daily with various Ridiculous and/or Serious posts. Although every post will in some way tie into Sunday's message, some may be Ridiculous tidbits just to put a smile on your face, while others will be more Serious thoughts such as devotional thoughts and extra passages of scripture that I was just unable to fit in on Sunday morning. Be sure to check back everyday for a new Serious or Ridiculous thought to marinate on as you go through your day! More Later! - Ryan