Jun 03 2008
Common Lies Christians Tell to Themselves and Each Other
- My worth is based on my performance.
- It is critical that everyone like me.
- Life should be fair.
- I have to be perfect.
- I am a bad person because of my past.
- God’s love has to be earned.
- It is wrong to feel angry/sad/hurt/disappointed/etc.
- My needs are more important than anyone else’s.
- It is awful to ever feel anxious, depressed or worried.
- If I feel a certain way, it must be true.
- I should never have to hurt.
- I shouldn’t have to wait for what I want.
- My spouse should meet all of my needs.
- I cannot control my strong desires.
- I cannot be happy when others are upset with me.
- My value depends on the opinions of others.
- I should always act happy.
- God cannot use me with my weaknesses.
- Committed Christians always feel good emotionally and spiritually.
- Because I am a Christian, I will be exempt from the problems non-Christians face.
- How I feel is someone else’s fault.
- How I feel is not important.
- God wants to punish me when I sin or make a mistake.
- I don’t measure up.
- If things are going well in my life, it means God loves me. If things are not going well, it means God does not love me.
- My friends/spouse should think, act, feel like I do.
- I should be able to control everything in my life.
- The most important thing is for me to be happy.
- The abundant life means that everything goes my way, and all of my needs are met.
- I should be competent in all things.
2 responses so far
[...] fridge we found two lists that nailed it — the entire message of Grace and the Gospel. Grant took one list for his blog today, and the other one follows here. They were a comfort and an affirmation to find way back when, and [...]
[...] list), and I judge my cosmic worth on my accomplishing those things. It’s all part of those lies that we Christians tell ourselves in our scramble to live impeccably moral lives. We think if we can just do X-Y-Z we’re okay, and we judge everyone — or at least [...]