by Roby Ellis
[Scripture Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12]
Introduction
A. When God created the world, He provided everything essential to man’s physical, mental, social, and spiritual welfare.
B. Although the tree of knowledge might not seem to fit, the power of choice was critical to the exercise of man’s spirituality.
C. It was not long after creation until man bought the first of the devil’s lies, and man has been doing so ever since.
I. The devil’s lies are typically well-dressed and attractive.
A. The lie is almost always more pleasing to the eyes and ears (Genesis 3:4-6; 2 Corinthians 11:3,12-15; Jeremiah 6:14; 7:8).
B. Believing the lie can cost you your life (1 Kings 13:18-26; 22:20; Jeremiah 20:6; 42:19-20).
C. The lies we believe can be hard to give up (Acts 26:9).
D. Deception can only happen when we fail to consult God (Joshua 9:1-16; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
II. The devil has plenty of lies he would love to sell to you.
A. He will tell you there is no God (Romans 1:20-28).
B. He will tell you that God will not let anyone go to hell (cf. Jeremiah 7:8-9; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48).
C. He will tell you that God will not hold you accountable for your sins (cf. Genesis 3:12-19; 1 Samuel 15:13-26; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
D. He will say that you need only believe (cf. James 2:19-20).
E. He will tell you that you can never be lost once you have been saved (cf. Hebrews 3:16-4:13).
F. He will tell you that you will always have time to make things right (cf. James 4:14; Ecclesiastes 12:1).
Conclusion
A. If these lies don’t please you, the devil has plenty more to sell.
B. Let us resolve instead to “buy the truth, and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23).