Lies in Disguise: The Whole Truth

Let me share an important truth that I shared in Lies in Disguise, referring to Acts 20:20–32:

“Paul had proclaimed the whole will of God, the full counsel, the complete plan and purpose of God. He warned the Ephesians that people would distort the things he’d taught them. In fact, there would be some people inside their own fellowship who would do so.”

“This warning was true in Paul’s day and it’s true in ours. The
only way we can avoid half-truth teachings is by carefully studying what Scripture actually teaches.” from the Conclusion of Lies in Disguise

Dear Christians, we need to make sure that we're only listening to teachers, preachers, authors and Bible study leaders who have carefully and accurately studied God's Word. And even after we learn to trust a teacher, we must still continue to compare what they teach with what we read and study in Scripture. 

 

Our faith is not built on the words of men and women. It is built on the flawless, living, perfect, and trustworthy Word of God (Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 19:7).

 

Details matter to the Lord and they should matter to us as well (Luke 16:10).

False teachings have always captured the minds and souls of the undiscerning. Let's make sure we are correctly handling God's Word and correctly sharing it with others (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

Accuracy is an important aspect of respect for God's Word and a necessary element of living for Christ.

 

For more insights, see 11 Benefits of Reading God's Word and Godly Mirror Gazing.

 💙 Currently available:

 

from the publisher with a discount: Lies in Disguise. 

 

Also available:

 

Amazon

 

CBD.  

 

And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

 

 

Kindred Spirits—Jonathan and David's Friendship

It's no wonder that Jonathan and David were such kindred spirits. They had some very unique moral values that set them apart. 

Now, I know you may be thinking about David's adultery and murder, a terrible failure for which he paid dearly the rest of his life. But David was fully repentant, and the overall theme of his life was faithful love and obedience to God.

These are two major qualities Jonathan and David shared:

1. Both of them deeply respected God-given authority: 

Jonathan showed respect for his father, King Saul, despite Saul's poor character. He obeyed Ephesians 6:2-3 by honoring his father even though he didn't obey any ungodly requests. 

David showed respect for King Saul as God's appointed king despite Saul's attempts to kill and discredit him (Romans 13:1-2), refusing to kill him in battle when his men encouraged him to do so (1 Samuel 24:1-13). 

2. Both Jonathan and David deeply respected God's ability to do the impossible. 

Before Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeated the whole Philistine army, Jonathan said, "Nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" (1 Samuel 14:6)

Before killing Goliath, David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies…he will put all of you in our power” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

In these two important ways, Jonathan and David were kindred spirits. They both had a deep respect for God and His Word, two qualities that we should also possess. 

 

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Have you heard some of the ridiculous claims that Jonathan and David were homosexual? Don't miss the Bite Size Bible Study. It offers additional insights into Jonathan and David's relationship and refutes this gay revisionist lie-in-disguise. 

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Answering a Rude Question About God

Someone recently asked me (quite rudely) why a God who is all-knowing and all-powerful would create Satan. To see the full conversation, see Answering an Atheist Evangelist. 

This guy wasn't actually interested in my answer, but suppose someone sincerely asks this. How would you answer?

It’s good to prepare ourselves to answer these kinds of questions (1 Peter 3:15). So let me give you some bullet points I’d include in my answer:

🗹 God created Satan good but gave him a choice. Satan chose evil. 

Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:1-17. See Got Questions on Ezekiel 28.

🗹 God could have ended Satan’s existence but chose to use Satan’s stupidity and evil to test people and divide true believers from unbelievers. For example: Job 1:1-12.

🗹 God creates each man and woman and gives us choice. 

Genesis 4:6-7; Joshua 24:14-15; James 1:14-15; Revelation 3:20.

🗹 God is all-knowing and all-powerful, but He isn’t all-manipulative. He never tempts us, but He allows temptations in our lives because he wants our choice to be real. He doesn’t want robots forced to love Him.

James 1:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4.

🗹 Anyone who rejects God is under Satan’s control, even if they aren’t involved in formal Satan worship.

2 Corinthians 4:4.

🗹 Because God is omniscient, He knows every detail of every person’s heart. He won’t send someone to heaven or hell by mistake. He knows that some people only have an outward form of religion.

2 Timothy 3:1-5.

🗹 Because He’s all-powerful, He can do what He says He will do.

Romans 1:20.

🗹 And most importantly, our God is not merely omniscient and omnipotent. He’s also completely loving, just, and pure, ready to redeem, forgive, and restore.

Psalm 103.

In fact, the man who asked this rude question can be redeemed. Our all-knowing, all-powerful God gives him that choice.

For two other difficult questions, see Six Important Clues in Answering the Question "Why Does God Allow Evil?" and Be Prepared: Why did God destroy entire nations?

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Do You Know Mom's Version of Ephesians 4:29?

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

 

Did your mom ever say this when you were growing up?

It’s sound, biblical advice. It's the moms' version of Ephesians 4:29:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  

When we're saying negative things, we're revealing our hearts:

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks...The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:34-35 

And the best way to change what's in our hearts is to ask God's help and practice His instructions in Philippians 4:8-9:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things...And the God of peace will be with you.”

Mom’s advice keeps us from saying things we’ll later regret, and Philippians 4:8-9 helps us focus on the good things in our lives like the love, forgiveness, and redemption of our Lord.

May our thoughts today be excellent and praiseworthy and our speech be gentle and kind.

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I also suggest you check out these one-minute devotions: You Won't Have to Eat Your Words if You Listen to Jesus and 3 Times to Bite Your Lip. 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like this sent to your email each weekday? It only takes one minute to read but can give your day an extra "Bible boost." Your address is only used for subscription and blog stat purposes. The only ads you'll see are for Gail's books below the devotion. No pop-ups. Subscribe: HERE.

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Lies in Disguise: Rewriting Scripture to Approve Immorality

“A growing movement in the church seeks to justify LGBTQ+ lifestyles by redefining or revising Scripture. Using sophisticated half-truths, those spearheading this movement misrepresent themselves as Bible scholars.” Lies in Disguise, Chapter 15

I've researched these false gay revisionist teachings and have been amazed at their inaccuracies.

Gay revisionist theology pulls every Scripture it uses out of context. Or they define commands against homosexuality as simply cultural commands that have passed away. 

“The church must be equipped to refute false beliefs and to stand firm, knowing that God’s commands are good, healthy, and loving; they prevent men and women from damaging their souls. Let’s look at the specific claims of these people, so we can be prepared to answer them biblically (1 Pet. 3:15–16).”  Lies in Disguise, Chapter 15

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15–16

If you have no one in your friends, family, workplace, or neighborhood who is LGBTQ, you are in a rare situation. It’s important that we not be caught off-guard by these teachings as they gain influence among professing Christians.  

Dear remnant Christians, let's be prepared to graciously respond with biblical truth.

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Lies in Disguise is designed to help readers discern and correct half-truths. Chapter 14 explains the first step in the decline of sexual morality, and Chapter 15 offers wisdom for dealing with a series of false teachings that twist Scriptures to claim that God approves of LGBTQ lifestyles.

Some of these gay revisionist arguments are such sophisticated half-truths that you might have trouble refuting them. Chapter 15 offers clear biblical help in doing this. 

💙 Currently available from the publisher: Lies in Disguise. Also available on Amazon and CBD.  And in the UK: CLC-UK or Eden UK.

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