Yesterday, we talked about the core lie of "unworthiness" that can interfere with our connection with God. Today we illustrate how another wrong belief can operate.
A woman who’d been in church her whole life was struggling with hearing God. She never sensed a response from Him. She finally asked him about that. "Jesus, every time I listen for you, I hear nothing. What’s going on?"
Into her mind came a memory of being 16-years-old and hauled in front of her church by the pastor. She was pregnant. The pastor had her confess and then somberly told the congregation she had brought shame and reproach upon them all.
No wonder she didn’t sense God speaking! She had accepted the lie that she was disqualified. And no amount of Bible study and church attendance could change it.
As the scene of humiliation played out in her mind she asked the Lord, "What do you want me to know about that event?"
A very strong yet gentle thought landed. "When did I ever talk to anyone like that?" Suddenly, her mind was flooded with scenes from the Bible. She saw Jesus angrily confronting the Pharisees, those prideful religious leaders who judged others. She saw Him dealing kindly with notorious sinners. The contrast was not lost on her.
She asked, "What do you want me to know?"
"Your pastor was not speaking for me." Tears came to her eyes as the weight of condemnation began sliding off. Jesus added, "I was so proud of how brave you were."
Those words from God’s heart to hers began to uproot an old lie and make space for the good news of the Gospel. She was qualified. She’d learned it in church, but in order for it to become her truth, she needed to hear it personally, from God.
Try it yourself. Ask God, "Have I believed I’m disqualified?" And then ask Him what He thinks about that. Let the divine gardener dig up a lie out of your heart.
— Debora Daniels Albrecht