The first big lie that I can remember telling as a child was to avoid being punished for something I had done. When it worked, I did it again. No one taught me to do that. It was a choice I made out of fear and became a big character flaw as I grew older. When I started following the Lord, I was convicted of my bad habit, and another fear helped me overcome lying. I was developing a healthy fear and reverence for the Lord. As I discovered more about the truth of God’s mercy, grace, and love, I realized that I was prepared to address many other character flaws I had. The more I understood about God’s forgiveness, I was progressively set free from the fear of his punishment. Now I have a hunger and thirst for a deeper relationship with Him. I delight in the way He is shining more light on the dark areas of my life so I can abide in His Kingdom and love others the way He does.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19