A few years ago, while I was out of town speaking at several meetings in Iowa, I stopped in at a little Bible bookstore. While I was there, I met a man who was a minister and pastor of one of the local denominational churches. He told me of all the great things his church was doing and how he was teaching his people the whole truth about the Bible.
While we were talking, I reached down and picked up a book by Billy Graham on angels. The minister immediately stopped talking and looked intently at me and said. “You don’t believe in angels and demons do you?”
At first I thought he was joking, and then I noticed that he wasn’t smiling. He went on to tell me his philosophy.
He said that at his church, he had taught his people that demons and angels do not really exist. Instead of actually being spirit beings, they were merely a representative of good and evil in the Bible.
Well, let me say this: angels and demons do exist. God’s Word – the Holy Bible – is true.
It’s not partially true. It’s not mostly true. It’s all true. Everything it says, everything it promises, is true. If the Bible tells about demons and angels, then they do exist.
Evidently, this minister was trying to tell me that he believed some parts of the Bible but not all of it.
The bottom line is this: that kind of thinking is confused and wrong. We must believe the whole Word of God. There is no middle ground.
The Bible tells us in Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18 that it is impossible for God to lie. Every word that proceeds from His mouth is true. Everything that He says will happen, will happen. What He says He will do, He will do. Not only does God not lie, but God cannot lie. It’s impossible.
Satan, on the other hand is a liar. Jesus said in John 8:44 that Satan a liar and he is the father of lies. There is no truth in him. Jesus went on to say that when Satan speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar.
So, here we have it clearly divided. On one hand, we have God who will not and cannot lie. On the other hand, we have Satan who will not and cannot tell the truth.
Now, if someone tells you that something in the Bible is not true, where do you think that comes from? You’re right, Satan. Whenever God speaks, whether it’s through His Word or whether it’s to your heart by His Holy Spirit, as soon as the words leave His mouth, Satan is there to lie and confuse.
That’s what happened in the Garden of Eden. God told Eve one thing and Satan implied that God didn’t really mean what He said. He made Eve think that it was possible for God to lie and it destroyed her. That’s what Satan wants to do to you and me.
Faith is the key to everything in the Bible. Salvation, healing, peace and victory all depend on faith. Believing that God does not lie is the key to faith. If Satan can get us to believe that it is remotely possible for God to lie, then our faith will be small or nonexistent, and that gives Satan an advantage in our lives.
God loves faith and Satan hates it. Faith will destroy Satan’s kingdom.
So, remember this and you will take the first step toward victory. God cannot lie and Satan cannot tell the truth.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.