Hands down, there is no contest whom I lie to the most. Me! I tell myself and accept lies about myself way more than anyone else. So, what does that tell you about me? I am either a narcissist or someone that struggles with depression. Hopefully, folks do not believe I am a narcissist. I find most people have trouble believing that I struggle with depression being outgoing (hyper to the max!) and laughing a lot. Candidly, that’s a personality type and camouflage to keep others from seeing who I really am. Thinking about it, I guess I lie to you often too with my camo routine. My apologies…
Each of us have been born into a fallen world with a sin nature that is conditioned to live independent of God. 1 John 5:19, “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” “The power of the evil one” (the devil) keeps us in line through temptation, deception, and accusation. The results of all our life experiences are called our flesh which continuously falls for the devil’s deceptions. An accurate description of the devil is discovered in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” The devil lies to us, “that’s just his nature.” We fall for these lies one after another.
Depression is darkness produced in the unconscious minds of folks who are continuously deceived by lies fabricated by the devil. Our unconscious minds build negative neural networks (unwholesome thought patterns) that overpower us to repeatedly make the same hurtful, sick decisions constantly. How discouraging! This is caused by unhealthy self-talk produced by brokenness at the core of our minds. Self-talk produces negative emotions which churns out unsound actions. As a result of this, depressed people typically withdraw into a dark place.
N-E-V-E-R F-O-R-G-E-T that God has given each of us victory! This includes depressed people. What does God want us to do? First, we have to straighten up the core of minds (our hearts). How do we do this? John 8:31&32 is spot on, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” God wants us to saturate our minds with His Word which is Truth. Psalm 119:11 says it this way, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Underpin the core of our minds (“in my heart”) with Truth which produces Godly self-talk leading to positive emotions creating wholesome behavior and a peaceful, healthy mind.
To experience peace within, we must throw off lifelong misbeliefs imbedded in neural networks and transition to the conscious mind which is saturated in the truth enabling you to live solidly.
We have a choice in life. You either hold fast to the words of Jesus or live in the ways of the flesh allowing sinful neural networks to direct your life. One is all about the truth and the other is all about deception and lies. Your choice.
Barnabas Man 