Family Lies

 

“YOU HAVE BEEN LIED TO!” These words caught my attention when I picked up a tract.  No one wants to be lied to as if we were too foolish to handle the truth.

In almost any situation lies are the most disconcerting thing with which we may have to contend. The truth, even if we don’t like it, is easier to take. Lies send us on a wild goose chase that usually leads to the truth and then we have to start over. Just give me the truth to begin with and, even if I don’t thank you in the moment, I will eventually be glad you did.

Years ago I was in a study of Nancy Demoss Wilgermuth’s, “Lies Women Believe.” Many of the lies she addressed were easy to get past, lies like, “I don’t have time to do everything I am supposed to do.” Or “I have to have a husband to be happy,” or “A career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother.” Most Christians get these as soon as they read them and see the errors in their thinking.

Then, in chapter seven on children the very first lie of the chapter that she suggests we believe (and should not) is, “It’s up to us to determine the size of our family.” It was surprising to read it but she gave a very convincing argument for allowing the Lord to determine the number of children we have without even using, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).

Her convincing scriptures were from Psalm 127:3-5, Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

In these verses God gives promises of life, blessing, and victory to the family with a “quiver full” of children. Compare this to the demonic influence of the one who comes only “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Our culture has worked hard to devalue the family as a whole, i.e. maintaining the family as a whole unit. The replacement they offer is the state educators who believe that parents should have no say in the values taught to their children.  Too many Americans today believe the lie that degrades marriage to that heavy weight a man must carry or the tying down of the wife to her children and her home. The overall attitude of the culture was and remains, “Who wants that?”

In Malachi 2:14-15 (NKJV) he is responding to a question about why the Lord would not receive the offering of the people. Malachi says: Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.  Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

These words could be applied to the people who have this attitude toward their marriage covenants today. God is seeking godly offspring and we won’t even honor the marriages that would produce them.

Our “family planning” and contraceptive ideas have led to the murdering of many babies (almost 70 million) through abortion. The culture devolved (though they see it as progress) from “I can prevent pregnancy” to “I can prevent birth.”

More children does mean more criticism from friends, more expenses, less time for yourself, a need for more patience, and true faith that the Lord will provide what your family needs.

My own seventh grandchild was born this week. It has caused me to recall the shock and sometimes even disgust my daughter and her husband hear as people see their large family. From the scripture we know that every one of those children is as much a blessing and a heritage from the Lord as the one or two the world finds appropriate.

When we know the Word of God, we know that we have been lied to about marriage, overpopulation, and “family planning” (and a host of other things). The people creating and propagating these lies think we are too foolish to check them with scriptures and know where the Truth comes from (John 17:17). Please, don’t fall for their lies.  Let’s value life – every life.