Unlearning the Lies: 5 Misconceptions That Steal Your Peace (and the Biblical Truth That Sets You Free) - Bible Session w/Pr. Melly

Misconception About Being a Savior

• Believers often mistakenly think they are meant to be the solution to world problems like drug addiction, homelessness, and child trafficking
• Christians are called to be the light of the world rather than definitive problem solvers for societal issues
• Light represents God's presence, truth, and love, serving as a guide for others toward hope and faith
• Moral and ethical living involves reflecting God's character through kindness, compassion, and integrity in all decisions
• Influence on others occurs when believers' good works potentially guide people to see God, though the outcome remains beyond human control
• Believers cannot change other people and should not burden themselves with trying to convince others about salvation

Misconception About Constant Busyness

• Many Christians believe they must stay constantly busy to prove their dedication to God
• This harmful mindset leads to burnout, resentment, bitterness, and may cause believers to question their faith and salvation
• God himself rested on the seventh day after creation and commanded humans to do the same
• Jesus demonstrated the importance of rest by sleeping on a boat during a storm, showing that even the Son of God found peace in God's presence
• Elijah received rest and nourishment from God during his flight, illustrating the importance of both physical and spiritual restoration
• David found rest in the Lord that led to spiritual refreshment and peace as described in Psalms
• Jacob experienced God's promise of rest through his dream of a ladder to heaven while fleeing from his brother
• Rest represents a powerful act of faith and obedience rather than a sign of weakness
• Laziness differs significantly from biblical rest and has no place in a follower of Jesus Christ's character

Misconception About Earning Salvation Through Works

• Many people believe they can earn their way into heaven through good deeds and moral behavior
• Christianity asserts that salvation is a gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ, not through human efforts
• Ephesians teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith as God's gift, not from works to prevent human boasting
• Harmful teaching suggests believers must earn salvation through efforts and service, leading to condemnation and bondage
• False dependency on validation encourages the pursuit of perfect performance rather than accepting God's free gift
• Churches sometimes teach that pleasing pastoral leadership equals salvation, creating unhealthy power dynamics
• Cult-like behavior develops when people become willing to do anything to please leaders who use eloquent words and presentations
• Examples exist of people working for free and living in servitude believing they must serve to be saved
• Focus on impressing ministry leaders often causes believers to neglect their families, which represent their first ministry

Misconception About Following Your Heart

• The phrase "follow your heart" sounds appealing but provides dangerous advice for believers
• Jeremiah warns that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, making it unreliable for guidance
• Following one's heart without Holy Spirit guidance can lead people away from God's will
• Proverbs advises trusting in the Lord with all your heart and acknowledging Him in all ways for proper direction
• Emotions and desires can easily sway human hearts, while God's word provides a reliable foundation that never misleads
• God's commandments and wisdom should guide decisions rather than human feelings and impulses

Misconception About Christians Not Experiencing Suffering

• People often question why Christians experience difficulties if they truly have faith in God
• Spiritual awakening reveals the reality of existing problems rather than creating new ones since believers live in a fallen world
• Christians will experience suffering, pain, and loss despite having Jesus, as being saved does not exempt anyone from human experiences
• Prosperity gospel teachers incorrectly claim that Christians with enough faith should live without suffering
• Jesus clearly stated that believers will have trouble in this world while promising that He has overcome it
• Suffering serves as God's tool to refine character, strengthen faith, and draw believers closer to Him
• Romans explains that tribulation produces perseverance, which develops character and ultimately creates hope through God's love
• Believers should view suffering as an opportunity to trust God more deeply and grow spiritually rather than as punishment

Next Steps

• The teaching emphasized the need for believers to unlearn harmful misconceptions that hinder their faith walk
• Churches should focus on teaching proper biblical understanding of rest, salvation by grace, and the reality of suffering in Christian life
• Believers need to rely on God's word and Holy Spirit guidance rather than human emotions or external validation from church leadership

 Key Points

• Misconception number one addressed the belief that individuals are saviors, emphasizing that believers are called to be light rather than having definitive solutions to world problems like drug addiction, homelessness, and child trafficking.
• Biblical examples from Matthew 5:14-16 illustrated that being light involves representing God's presence, living with moral and ethical integrity, and influencing others without controlling their response to the message.
• Misconception number two focused on the harmful belief that Christians must stay constantly busy, warning that this mindset leads to burnout, resentment, and questioning of faith when believers think they're not doing enough for God.
• Scripture from Genesis 2:2-3 demonstrated that even God rested on the seventh day, establishing the principle that rest is commanded rather than optional for believers.
• Biblical figures including Jesus sleeping during a storm, Elijah receiving rest and nourishment from an angel, David finding peace in green pastures, and Jacob's dream of the ladder all exemplified that rest is an act of faith rather than weakness.
• Misconception number three addressed the false teaching that salvation is earned through good works, clarifying that Ephesians 2:8-9 establishes salvation as an unmerited gift from God received through faith.
• Dr. Ewen shared personal experience from a previous church where salvation was taught as dependent on pleasing pastoral leadership, creating bondage and condemnation that affected marriages and family relationships.
• Misconception number four warned against the popular but dangerous advice to "follow your heart," citing Jeremiah 17:9 which states the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 was referenced as the biblical alternative to following one's heart, encouraging believers to trust in the Lord and seek His wisdom rather than relying on emotions and desires.
• Misconception number five challenged the belief that Christians should not experience suffering, explaining that believers live in a fallen world and will face tribulation despite having Jesus.
• Romans 5:3-5 was emphasized to show that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character develops hope, making suffering a tool for spiritual growth.
• Dr. Ewen shared a personal testimony about facing persecution and lies spread about their ministry, describing a moment of overwhelming anger that led to physical self-harm before finding peace through the Holy Spirit.
• Despite lacking formal education credentials including dropping out in ninth grade and experiencing fraud in seminary studies, Dr. Ewen emphasized that God can use anyone regardless of their educational background or eloquence.
• The lesson concluded with encouragement that believers are imperfect people following a perfect God, urging attendees to embrace their calling despite feelings of inadequacy.