Chapter 7: Emptying “Falsehood” In the previous chapter, we examined “hypocrisy,” which arises from the gap between the way we appear before people and who we actually are before God. If hypocrisy is putting on a mask to hide who we really are, falsehood is hiding or altering the truth for our own benefit and, beyond that, even distorting the truth of God. Falsehood does not end simply with saying something that is contrary to the facts. Falsehood begins in a heart that rejects the truth and accepts what is advantageous to itself as though it were true. In John 8:44, Jesus referred to the devil as “a liar and the father of lies.” At the root of falsehood is a power that causes us to believe something other than the Word of God and ultimately leads us away from God. Therefore, before trying to identify the falsehood in others, we must first ask ourselves: “Am I living truthfully before God?” “Am ...
‘I was encouraged about you because of your faith’ [1 Thessalonians 3:1-7] Have you ever felt the limits of patience? Therefore, have you ever prayed to God, 'God, how long should I endure this affliction?' The longer and worse the pain and adversity we have, the more we feel the limits of patience. At that time, we ask God "How long?" and cry out to God. In Scripture Psalm 119, the psalmist did so. Even though he put his hope in God’s word and longed for God’s salvation (v. 81), there was no answer from God. So he prayed to God, “My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?” This is what Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:7 to the Thessalonian church saints: “Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” I would like to think about Paul who was encouraged by the Thes...