In 1 John 1:8 it says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (NIV)
We lie to ourselves all the time: “I haven’t gained any weight.” “I’m not hurting anyone.” “No one even noticed.”
But one lie is more dangerous than most: “It’s not really a problem.” We tell ourselves that our <fill in the blank> is not a problem, or out of control.
Lying to ourselves is the number one way we mess up our lives. The Bible says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8 NIV). Sin causes us to deceive ourselves, and deception causes us to sin.
Behind every self-defeating act in my life is a lie I’ve believed. Either I’ve lied to myself or I’ve believed one of Satan’s lies. The Bible says our heart is “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV). We have an amazing ability to lie to ourselves.
To stop defeating myself—doing all of those self-defeating behaviors that cripple my ability to follow Jesus faithfully—I have to stop deceiving myself. Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV). But first, the truth will make me miserable! I can’t break free from these self-defeating behaviors if I won’t admit they exist.
I can’t beat the problem if I’m lying to myself about it. Victory starts with telling the truth and being willing to do something about it.
It takes humility and honesty to recognize my weakness, when I'd rather pretend that I am strong. But, I do not need to fear revealing my sins from God, he already knows them. He will not push me away, no matter what I've done. Instead, he will draw me to himself.
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