Fake News: The Lies We Believe and the Truth that Drowns Them Out
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Sermon Notes
Fake News Defined: Fake news, also known as junk news or pseudo-news, is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional news media or online social media. Satan spreads Fake News.
The impact of a lie, its power, is dependent on what I do with it. A lie that is not believed and not acted upon is lifeless, it has no power on its own. We are the ones that give it life by agreeing with it or by entertaining it over and over again in our minds. Deferring or stuffing a lie isn’t enough, to defeat it we have to confront it (smash it) with truth. Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life. However, His power is also limited to my receptivity and application of it.
The origin of all lies is Satan.
The power of a lie is in what we do with it. Agreeing with a lie or giving it room to breathe, gives it life and power.
The intent of a lie is to control and destroy (a weapon of control).
The power of truth is inherent in the reality of Jesus.
The impact of truth on my life is connected to my acceptance of Him.
The intent of truth is freedom and life.
When I am too busy trying to prove my worth I do not have the time to live in, explore and enjoy my worth.
“I am a fraud” targets our identity, or our self-worth, the “I am a failure” lie builds on those but adds our potential to the target package.
Eliminating the Failure Environment
Missed Expectations.
Misaligned Objectives.
Comparison Constructs.
Missed Expectations Cultivate the “Failure Lie” Environment
John 16:33
Jesus said, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Misaligned Objectives Cultivate the “Failure Lie” Environment
God would rather us suffer a self-inflicted “failing” at a misaligned objective rather then they greater pain that could have happened achieving a misaligned objective.
A Comparison Construct Cultivates the “Failure Lie” Environment
Galatians 6:4-5 AMP
4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
How do you fight this comparison environment?
One word…Contentment.
Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Did you catch the secret of contentment? I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
Truth: You are not a failure, you are strong in Christ!
2 Corinthians 12:6-10
6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Truth: God isn’t done with us – we are in process and it’s a good process.
Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Truth: God has good plans for us.
Jeremiah 29:10-12 (NIV)
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Truth: God has good plans for us.
Deuteronomy 28:12-14 (NIV)
12 The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
I Failed is past tense. Don’t live there.
I am Failing is present tense. You can still change your present.
I am a Failure is nonsense – it is a lie!