A podcast from a service at Curwensville Alliance.

Occasionally, in the back of my mind, I detect this thought — an ungodly thought — that God doesn’t really love me. It’s a thought that says that I don’t measure up and because of my failures, God would like to smack me. Hard. Now. Twice.

Now, before you say, “Steve, I never have that thought; what’s wrong with you!?” think. Think about your own thought talk. When someone approaches you with a ministry opportunity, how do you respond? With confidence? Or with reluctance based in your own feelings of inadequacy? That’s what I’m talking about. Or what about those times you reflect on a conversation where you said the wrong thing and really hurt someone you were honestly trying to help? When you think about that, do you think to yourself, “I am such an idiot! I should just keep my mouth shut! How can God put up with my stupidity!?” That’s what I’m talking about.

I was thinking about where that voice comes from. It doesn’t come from the pastor I had while growing up. He preached grace with clarity. Maybe it comes from teachers or youth leaders? Maybe I picked it up in the dorm at the Christian college I attended? (Late night freshman chats in dorms can be very good or very bad.) Maybe I picked it up at home?

I doubt it.

It was my wife who suggested something like this:

It came from the Garden, Steve. It’s exactly what the serpent suggested to Eve. “Did God really say…”

Immediately, when Laurel suggested this, I new she was right. It’s the enemy of our souls that makes us wonder if God really said what he said. It’s the enemy who wants to convince us we are unloved.

This podcast is from a series on The Nature of Jesus. A series presented to help combat such lies when they come into your life. This message, in particular, is about Jesus’ gentleness — and how he cares for you. May God embroider the truth of his love on your heart as you listen.

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