What You Believe Is Critical.

26/04/25

Gospel Corner

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin.
Proverbs 26:28, NLT

Flattery
In Daniel 6, to get rid of Daniel before he would be made the highest administrator in the Persian empire, the other administrators and high officers used flattery to get King Darius to pass a law that they knew Daniel would not obey because of his faith. The king’s ego was so inflated that it almost resulted in the death of Daniel. This king loved Daniel, but he didn’t realize they were doing it to trap Daniel.

Be careful when people first flatter you, telling you how wonderful you are, and then ask you for something. When they do, just cancel out everything they said before, because even if it is true, they said it with the wrong motives. Flattery is a tool that leads to ruin. If you’re not secure in who you are and you need others’ praise to feel good about yourself, you’ll make decisions that you may regret later. You have to discount all the flattery, act as though they don’t like you, that they’re not for you, and then make the decision. Don’t get trapped by deceptive words.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I don’t have to look to someone else to tell me who I am because You have already told me that I am Your masterpiece. Thank You that my identity and value is securely in Your hands. Help me to discern when others are using flattery to try to get me to do what is wrong. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Over the last two decades, I’ve had the privilege of ministering to precious people from all walks of life. I’ve had the honor of meeting people in my congregation and at conferences around the world and hearing their stories. For those whom I didn’t get to meet in person, their letters and emails to me told their stories.

Stories of liberation from years of anxiety and depression. Stories of being rescued from the prison of fear. Stories of breaking loose from destructive habits and addictions.

Yet, for every person who found their breakthrough, I also know of many who are still struggling today. They are bound by severe insecurities, trapped by all kinds of disorders, and gripped by constant fear. They’ve tried every solution they can think of, but are still desperately clawing to be freed from their emotional and physical prisons.

How did those who experienced victory break free? Why are others still trapped?

The answer is simple but powerful: their beliefs. What you believe is critical.

You see, if you believe wrong, you will struggle with wrong thoughts. Wrong thoughts will produce unhealthy emotions that will lead to toxic feelings of guilt, shame, condemnation, and fear. And those wrong feelings will ultimately produce wrong behaviors, actions, and painful addictions.

Wrong believing starts you on a path of defeat. It is what keeps you trapped and drives you deeper and deeper into paralyzing captivity.

Right believing, on the other hand, is the door out of this vicious cycle of defeat. When you believe right, you will live right. Right believing always produces right living.

Today, begin to believe right by choosing to know and believe in the powerful truths of God’s Word and in His love for you. In the days to come, set your heart to discover and meditate on the Savior you have in Christ and what He has already accomplished for you.

Choose to renew your mind with God’s truths about who you really are in Christ and how precious you are to Him. I pray that as you begin to encounter the person of Jesus, you will begin to experience your breakthrough and lasting victory!