All of us believe lies. If we knew which of the things we believed that were in fact false, we would stop believing them – or so you would hope. There are lies about ourselves, our worth, our potential, our problems, our past, etc that we believe, but are not true.
You can stunt your potential…
What’s so insidious about the lies, besides the fact that we can’t see them, is that they are deeply embedded in our heart. At an intellectual level we may well disavow those lies and say we don’t believe them and be sincere, but if you want to know what you really believe, pay attention to what you do. It’s the action that tells the story. Sometimes the lie is so deeply embedded it has become part of us and we don’t realize it. As a result, we stunt our potential.
Lies we believe hold us back in much the same way elephants are held back in the circus.
When baby elephants are brought into the circus, a small rope is tied around their leg at one end and fastened to a stake or pole at the other to keep them from running away. As the elephant grows up however, eventually weighing several tons, they can easily pull away from the stake and go free.
The thing is though… they don’t.
They grew up believing the rope defined their freedom or lack thereof and as an adult elephant, as soon as they feel the tug of the rope, they give in. They accept the limits of the rope even though they no longer apply. What they believe about the rope and its strength to hold them back is a lie. In a similar way, the lies we believe, define what we believe about our potential and it goes undeveloped.
We act on what we deeply believe.
If that is a lie, we will produce bad fruit or no fruit at all. That’s the way pathogens affect plants. They rob them of fruitfulness and stunt their potential, eventually causing them to wither and die.
Ask those closest to you to speak truth to you, to help you expose the lies you believe and to affirm the truth they see in you. Don’t be defensive. Ask them for what they see to be your strengths, possibilities and potential along with your weaknesses. Ask them what they think holds you back.
Make it safe for them to tell you the truth and they will. The truth may be uncomfortable at first, but it will set you free and lead you to fruitfulness. The lies we believe are one type of four identified pathogens that keep us from reaching our potential. If you would like to read the book, (this came from Rainforest Strategy – The Planet’s Most Successful Business Strategy), and get a 4 part teaching series on DVD as a FREE bonus gift, check this out.
Amen brother! Your insights are always so clear, amazingly simple, but profoundly effective. Thank you!
Mark; You’ve been an inspiration and source of encouragement and insight to literally millions through your brilliant illustrations and phenomenal story telling. I am honored to have you post on my site. Thank you!
Amazing truths about untruths!
I remember many years ago when I was complaining to the Lord about myself…I felt I wasn’t measuring up to being the christian that I should be. He said very clearly to me, “SAY what My word says about you!”
So, I began to memorize the Word as it pertained to my situation and speak it by faith. Soon not only I, but others were changed by this truth.
Sort of reminds me of another blogpost:
https://blog.michaelpink.com/steering-your-life-with-words/
I remember that testimony Judy. It made a huge difference in your life and has helped me as well!
Amen, Michael. The Word of God is powerful!
I, no doubt was that little elephant, I know I still believe the rope. Would love to challenge it. At 60, I hope it’s not too late. I apprediate your work and have recog nizes the value.
Hi Janice,
Michael asked me to thank you for commenting on this blogpost. We re grateful for the support of those that are blessed by the gifts that God gives.
I’m really happy that this word spoke to you. Please do know that you are not alone. The devil wants to tell you that, but it’s not true. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9
We all need to be reminded of what the word of God says about us. “YOU can do all things through Christ who strengthens YOU! Phil 4:13.
I pray that you will be encouraged from this day forward to believe that God has given you life and breath to be a great blessing to all those you come into contact with you.
Break the chains, cut the rope! Know that your strength comes from Him and in your weakness He is strong.
God bless you.
Amen.! (and you should know the truth and the truth will make you free) John 8:32
Michael,
Thank-you once again for reminding us of the Apostle Paul’s admonition…
1.2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter)
Good word Geary. Thanks for posting the Scripture!
This was another good post for me to read today. Sometimes it is tough hearing the truth about yourself but that’s the only way to growth. Thanks for your faithfulness with these posts. I look forward to reading more.
This is food for the soul! Thanks for the insight!
It is so comforting to read your message and it seems to come at the right time in my experience
trying to navigate out in the market.
Michael, good word. The chains that bind us have such a power over our lives. Its amazing how the lies spoken over us can continue to enslave us. The questions to reflect on will free many who earnestly use them.
Dear Mike,
From your posts to one another’s posts is like Prov 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Thank you…
May this community multiply as we edify one another in Christ who are called from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.
For Him, BenjieC.
You definitely bring your iron to the blog my friend. You help sharpen others including me, when you post your feedback.
Here’s a thought to consider, I have often heard the expression “kingdom of darkness”, but I cannot find that in the bible. I see where it says the we have been delivered from the “power of darkness” and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of His love, but I don’t see there ever being a reference to the “kingdom” of darkness.
I think this might be important because a kingdom always has a king. The devil is no where referred to as a king. He is referred to as the “prince of the power” of the air. I think this distinction may be important. What do you think?
Much appreciated your comment, Mike…it is used by the New Living Translation with a small “k” similar to a small “g” of god. However, it is helpful that you point out that a kingdom has a king, and in this case the usurper Satan is the counterfeit king.
His, BenjieC.
Great stuff Michael. Our Lord told us in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” The thief is always at work using his lies to do us in! Jesus has so much more for us. -Charlie jn1010.net
[…] But that can change and I can help you. I wrote a blog from my Rainforest Strategy book called, The Lies we Believe Can Stunt Our Potential. It speaks to the root of confidence issues. I guarantee you that you believe certain lies about […]