Americans tend to think more in terms of happiness and immediacy than joy and steadfastness. We want God to just rain down good feelings and good times. The truth however is that being happy and content in our daily lives is a byproduct of following Jesus with an obedient heart but it is not the reason we follow Him.

The apostle Paul wrote:
“For the time is coming when people will not endure soundteaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
We are all susceptible to believing lies at any given time. The world is magical at presenting it’s counterfeit products as the genuine article. One would assume that because Christians are followers of the Truth, that we would be less susceptible to such lies.

The real truth however, is that Christians believe many lies. We sometimes don’t even realize that they are lies because they are wrapped up so nicely with what appears to be a “Bible bow.”

There are hundreds of lies Christians believe, either collectively or individually. I chose these 5 lies because I have personally seen them infiltrate the Church, the lives of my friends and family and my own life.

Here are the Top 5 Lies Christians Believe (according to me):

1. Church is not necessary.

In other words, it’s okay to be a lone Christian. I was a lone Christian for many years. I knew no differently and I honestly didn’t know any better. Somehow in my daily reading of scripture, all the talk of the body, and fellowship just flew right past me.
The saddest thing is that it was my lack of accountability and relationship that pushed me to my furthest point away from God. I would wake up every morning and feel hopeless and alone.

2. All Christians need to do is be “good” and act “nice.”

That is what a “good Christian does.” This lie is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons. He wants us to believe that if we just “act” a certain way and keep up appearances (i.e. do good works apart from grace) that we will be okay. Satan wants to convince us that we are capable, in our own strength, to accomplish God’s Will, thereby rejecting the Holy spirit. We ignore the Holy Spirit and all of His available guidance, power, and counsel. We treat the Spirit as either insignificant to create change in our life or simply irrelevant.We believe wrongly that we can “make it happen.”

Yet, it is through the Spirit that we are empowered to do God’s work. Likewise, our salvation rests on knowing Christ loving Him completely, nothing else. God will not ask if you were a nice person when you stand before Him. He will want to know if you knew His Son.

3. God doesn’t care about your small things.

4. We believe that only pastors or those in “leadership” can, in fact, lead.

5. God wants us to be happy.

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