Text: John 8:31-47

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Fake news has taken our world by storm. With the phenomenon of social media and news outlets propagating their own political agendas, it’s getting more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Fake news websites deliberately publish hoaxes, propaganda, and disinformation purporting to be real news—often using social media to drive web traffic and amplify their effect. Unlike satire, which seeks to entertain, fake news aims to mislead readers for financial or political gain.

A similar battle for truth takes place every day in our spiritual lives. Fake news is something the enemy has been using a long time to wage war on God’s creation. It’s been around ever since the serpent deceived God’s children in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were beguiled into a sham that God was holding out on them, that they didn’t need Him or His governing rule in their lives. Their willful disobedience led to shame, humiliation, and disgrace. Fake news caused them to not only run from God, but to also forfeit their very own paradise (Genesis 3:1-24).

Job was also a target of fake news. After this humble servant of God lost his wealth, his family, his health, and even his will to live, his “friends” came to him in the midst of tragedy and presumed to know why all this misfortune had overtaken him. They accused him of having some kind of hidden sin in his life. They propagated the fake news that God was mad at Job, and therefore was punishing him for his transgressions. Yet God later vindicates Job and rebukes his friends: “for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7).

Fake news was spread about Nehemiah when he went on a mission trip to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His opponents made up rumors about his intentions and scandalized his reputation. Unfortunately for his enemies, Nehemiah was a mighty man of prayer and took refuge in the Almighty. The gossip couldn’t stop him. He never let falsehood derail him from his missional mindset.

With the bribery of the guards at Jesus’ tomb, Christ’s enemies even used fake news to try and cover up His resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15). It’s no wonder that Jesus said of the devil, “When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

How about you, beloved? Where has the enemy been enticing you with fake news?

Fake news doesn’t always come from external sources; it can often wrap itself in those inner thoughts that we struggle with from day to day:

I’m not a good enough Christian for God to use.

I’m not a good enough spouse.

I’m not enough of a parent.

I’m too much of a mess to live a life of significance.

I’ve failed too many times to ever get it right.

I don’t have anything special to offer God.

See, the enemy wants us stuck in the mire of shame. He wants our faith paralyzed by these internal lies. And if we’re not rooted and grounded in the Word of God, we’re prone to believe that all these accusatory thoughts are coming from God himself.

God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). And while it’s true that we all still have room to grow in spiritual maturity and haven’t yet arrived at the full stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13), God doesn’t want us shrinking back in condemnation (Romans 8:1). Condemnation is when the enemy uses internal falsehood to shame us for not being “enough” of a Christian. It’s when the enemy cunningly gets us to shift our focus off of Jesus and His righteousness, and onto our own performance.

We need to trade in the fake news for the “Good News.” The only way to rightly deal with the enemy’s accusations is to continually point to the cross where Jesus took our guilt upon himself (I Peter 2:24). The adversary of your soul hates to be reminded of the cross. It exposes his lies and cunning deceit. It reminds him that the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me was more than enough to bring us into a right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus taught his followers: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Prayer

Father, this world is full of deceit and falsehood. There’s fake news all around us, and falsehood that wants to get inside of us. The enemy wants to paralyze us with shame. Lord, keep us close to the cross and to your truth in spite of all the accusations of our enemy. Help us to remember that the devil is the father of lies and will stop at nothing to condemn us. Remind us daily that we are clothed in the identity of Christ’s righteousness alone, and that your truth has indeed set us free. In Jesus’ blessed name we pray, Amen.

Condemnation is when the enemy uses internal falsehood to shame us for not being “enough” of a Christian. Tweet this

Questions for Reflection and/or Family Discussion:

1. What is the biggest lie you have ever believed?
2. Where has the enemy tried to condemn you the most?
3. In what ways have you felt not good enough? How can looking to the cross help us with feelings of shame?
4. What does it mean to “abide” in God’s Word?
5. Do you know someone who may be struggling with shame or condemnation? Ask God to show you how to minister to them.

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