Myths, Lies and Grown-Up Fairy Tales*

      Do we have any idea how many myths, lies, and fairy tales we have come to accept as truth? We will see that the increase of these things is also a sign of the end times according to scripture. Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy, whom Paul had placed in leadership over the Ephesian church: "...Preach the word; be instant in season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Tim. 1-5). Paul was writing about believers turning away from truth and preferring fables instead because the fables please their flesh. "Fables" is the Greek word, mythos, meaning "a story, fable, invention, fiction, falsehood, myth." Satan, who is the father of lies, has always tried to turn God's people away from the truth. In the Garden, he tempted Eve saying, "Hath God said...?" We are living in the time now when by myths, lies and grown-up fairy tales, the unacceptable has been deemed acceptable. Isaiah wrote, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil..." (Isa. 5:20). We will see that these lies are promoted, even within the church, because of the love of money.

    Paul continued to write to Timothy: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good...lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away...led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of truth...these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the truth...Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:1-2, excerpt). For those who refuse to accept the myths, lies and fairy tales, and not only talk but walk in the truth, there will be persecution, even here in America, as we see currently in many other nations. We are already seeing in our nation attempts to punish churches that preach the truth about the killing of the unborn, standing against the fable that an unborn child is just a fetus, without life.

     As Paul continued, even though evil men will worsen and deceive many, all scripture is inspired by God, it is the basis for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, working perfection in us. (v. 13-17). For us, scripture includes not only the New Testament, but what is called the Old Testament as well. Many do not want to receive correction and reproof, but it is also part of the working truth of scripture, "...which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." We are neither to add to scripture nor take away from scripture. Paul exhorted Timothy and us to: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Doing this not for the purpose of engaging in fruitless arguments and debates that gender strife, but "In meekness (humble, quiet strength) instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." (2 Tim. 2:14-25, excerpt). As important as it is to speak the truth and teach it to others, Paul wrote that it is equally important to live in such a manner ourselves, purging ourselves and departing from iniquity, being honorable and sanctified vessels for God's use, prepared for every good work.

     One of the lies that even some believers embrace is that, in spite of the signs indicating otherwise, the return of the Lord Jesus and the judgment of God is not imminent, but that life will still go on the same from day to day. Peter wrote that these were the scoffers of the last days, who know that God has judged before by water, but ignore the fact that according to the prophetic word of scripture, God will judge the earth and the ungodly again by fire. 

     One of the myths of this age are the various theories of evolution. Science has changed the theories as each accepted theory has been exposed for its impossibility. The current theories include alien involvement (Directed Panspermia) and one species, such as a bird, unexpectedly hatching out of another species, such as a snake (Punctuated Equilibrium). It requires more faith to believe these fairy tales than to believe the truth that God created all that exists.

     As Paul wrote to Titus, whom he appointed to lead the church in Crete, directing him in regard to appointing bishops in the church, he said that the man must be of godly character, blameless, "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers...For there are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses...for filthy lucre's sake (referring to money)...rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth...even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine...In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say to you." (Titus 1:5-16, 2:1-2, 7-8, excerpt). Paul wrote that the leaders and believers were to live in a holy character which reflects the understanding of the Gospel, as we look for the appearing of God and Christ, who gave Himself for us, redeeming us from all iniquity, and purifying us as His own peculiar people who are zealous in good works: "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:12-15).

     Peter wrote that what we believe concerning Jesus Christ and His salvation has been prophesied by the prophets of scripture, holy men who were moved by the Holy Spirit, and also witnessed by himself and the other apostles. We have received from them eyewitness accounts, not fairy tales and fables. These same apostles witnessed the voice of God from heaven as they were with Christ. (2 Peter 1:16-21, excerpt). We have received these first-hand accounts from, although they were fishermen, apostles who walked in miracles, signs and wonders themselves to confirm the Word that they preached. People were healed by Peter's shadow as he walked past them! Peter warned that false teachers and false prophets were among the church bringing in heresies, denying the Lord, and speaking evil of the truth. They do so through covetousness, desiring to make money off of the believers while corrupting them with falsehoods (2 Pet. 2:1-3). The myths, lies and fairy tales are not just taught to the world, but, for the sake of money, they are also brought into the church. Consequently, the Gospel is disregarded by hearers because of the exposed examples of corruption, falsehoods, compromises and wickedness that has existed in some of these false leaders and teachers of the church.

     Proverbs gives us wisdom concerning reproving and rebuking the falsehoods we see. Proverbs says that we waste our time, and actually do ourselves harm, rebuking and reproving the wicked and the scorner. However, a wise and just man will receive both reproof, rebuke and instruction. This is the beginning of wisdom and understanding by way of the fear of the LORD. (Prov. 9:6-10). We remember that Jesus said the same, not to cast your pearls before swine, nor that which is holy to the dogs, because they will just trample them under foot, and then turn and rend you. (Mt. 7:6). We are to use wisdom and discernment as to how we place the holy Word of God before people. As Psalm 141 says, we are to pray that the LORD sets a watch over our mouths and keeps the door to our lips, accepting for ourselves also reprovals from the righteous. (v. 1-5, excerpt). The LORD commanded the prophet Ezekiel to show the pattern of the house of God, and everything concerning it, to the people, so that they might be ashamed when they have turned away from the pattern. Upon seeing the prophetic form of the house of God, they might elect instead to keep the form, fashion, ordinances, and laws of it: "This is the law of the house. Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house." (Ezek. 43:10-12). This is the holy fruit of God's reproof and rebuke of those who are wise enough to receive it and gain godly knowledge from it. (Suggested reading: Isaiah Ch. 40-43).

     *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 4/28/24 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook.