We all have our version of what God looks like; a design created in the jumble of culture, family, Hollywood and church. You know, Myths About God.
But Jesus is what God has to say. Jesus is who God is perfectly. And any other version of that is a screwed-up messed-up idea that misrepresents Him.
Bill Johnson said it best:
“If what you think you know about God, can’t be found in the person of Jesus… You have reason to question it.”
The best way to see God as He truly is, is to read the Gospels. But while you’re here, let’s address a few of these myths in the full knowledge that God is way too big to be understood in one list, or even in one lifetime.
Myth #1 – He’s Mad Angry:
Yes, God gets angry, but He’s not angry. And when He does get angry, it’s perfect, righteous and useful. Jesus was angry in the temple courts because access to God’s was hindered by the religious deception that said you had to buy and earn access to God. I’m glad He got angry then. But He’s not stuck in that frustration. He is actually in a great mood (read more in lie number 5).
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Psalm. 30:5
Myth #2 – He Gives People Cancer:
Consequences feel like punishment sometimes, but God knows the difference. The pains and trials we endure in life are the product of sin (our own sin, someone’s sin against us, the sins of our forefathers or the fact that we live in a sinful world).
If God was a monster, then He would give someone cancer in order to punish them or even to teach them a lesson.
But He’s not!
Would you ever give your kids cancer?
And God is a much better father than I am (much, much better).
We can’t explain the sicknesses we endure. And it is true that in the trials we can learn a few lessons… but I refuse to put the blame on God. I choose to trust His goodness.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Myth #3 – He’s As Far As Timbuktu:
* Unless of course you live near Timbuktu.
Most of us know that God is close, yet we still treat the connection as a long distance relationship (and those kind of relationships are always hard). No matter how many emails, texts, Skype calls you have with the person you love, nothing compares to being in the same place at the same time. And that is the kind of relationship God is offering.
Stop believing the myth that He’s far away. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and realize He’s right here.
“But you know him (The Holy Spirit), for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” – Jesus
Myth #4 – He Doesn’t Sing:
Actually, God loves to sing. He goes from hymns (Jesus sang with his disciples), to war sounds, to whistling (Isaiah 5:26) to lullabies. But I’ll let the prophet Zephaniah tell you himself, in what is quite possibly my favorite verse ever:
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Myth #5 – He’s Not Fun:
Almost every single painting of God is one of a white old man with a serious face. At the same time, almost every image (or song) we have of a person in-love, is one of joy, happiness and delight.
God is love.
That means He is permanently in-love. And the Psalmist confirmed in it:
In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Also, Jesus said the Kingdom of God belongs to little children. I have 2 little boys. Their main objective 23 hours of the day is to have fun. The Kingdom of God.
Myth #6 – He Sends Natural Disaster:
Jesus stopped the storm.
He didn’t start it.
Jesus is God.
Myth #7 – He Plays Favorites:
God has no favorites, some people just believe they are. If you know you are loved by Him then you will live a life of love. If you know He has a great plan for you then you will move forward in confidence and trust. Different people play different roles, but God loves us all the same.
Be of the crowd that believes that… it will make all the difference.
“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” – Peter (one of his favorites) in Acts 10:34
I wrote this list as a reminder to myself: God is better than I could ever imagined.
Do you agree?
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer
+ So many other ideas are going around that misrepresent God. Time for truth! Comment Below & Share the good news with others.