Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
The Power of a Lie

The Power of a Lie

Today the jury began deliberations to determine the fate of 53-year-old John White.  John White admits to shooting Daniel Cicciaro, a 17 year-old neighbor and friend of his son, Aaron.

 How could such a tragedy happen? A lie was told. A lie was believed, and pain, suffering and death followed.

Here’s what happened: Michael Longo, a friend of John White’s son, Aaron, logged onto Aaron White’s My Space account and sent a message threatening to rape a teenage girl who was a close friend of Daniel Cicciaro. Michael Longo said, under testimony, that he did this as a practical joke. But Daniel Cicciaro believed the threat to be real, so he gathered three other friends to deal with the situation. He called Aaron White repeatedly one evening, threatening him and calling him racist names. He said they were coming over to kill him. Aaron woke his father, and as the four men approached the house, Aaron and John, carrying guns, went out on the porch where they argued with the four men culminating in John White shooting Daniel Cicciaro in the face.  

Daniel Cicciaro believed he was protecting his close friend from being raped. John White believed he was protecting his son from being killed. And now Daniel is dead and John’s future is in the hands of a jury. Why? Why did this tragedy happen? A lie was told, a lie was believed, and no one stopped to implement God’s methods. No one acted in love, no one sought the truth, no one was willing to sacrifice self for the other, but instead each chose to follow the methods of the world – the method of power to crush the other and protect self-interest. 

This sad story reveals all too clearly the war raging on this planet between God’s methods of love and Satan’s methods of survival-of-the-fittest. But this heartbreaking story does even more, it reveals how and why the entire problem of sin and suffering got started in the first place. It shows the power of a lie believed.

God created everything in the universe to operate on love, unmitigated giving, beneficence and regard for others more than oneself. God created all beings to be in unity and harmony. But this unity, harmony and love was broken. How? A lie was told. A lie was believed and pain, suffering and death followed.

Imagine you are married and someone tells you a lie that your spouse is having an affair. If you believe the lie, will something in you change? Will the circle of love and trust get broken? Will the broken love and trust lead to a change in behavior?

This is what happened in Eden. Satan told lies about God. Adam and Eve believed those lies and the circle of love and trust was broken.  Broken love and trust result in fear and selfishness (also known as survival-of-the-fittest).  Fear and selfishness result in acts of sin (destructive behaviors).  Acts of sin result in damage to mind, character and body – a terminal condition.

Daniel Cicciaro believed a lie that Aaron White was going to rape his friend. This lie broke the circle of love and trust shared by these neighbors and friends. Once the circle of love and trust was broken, fear and selfishness arose. Daniel, because he believed the lie, no longer trusted Aaron and, in fact, was now afraid of Aaron, afraid he would rape his friend. His fear and selfishness led him to seek to destroy Aaron – a destructive act, which resulted in pain, suffering and death.

Adam and Eve believed lies about God. The circle of love and trust was broken and, in fear, they ran and hid from God. As they no longer trusted God to look out for their welfare, they became self-focused, self-promoting, and selfish and ate the fruit seeking to become like God (an act of sin). Their condition was now terminal and without divine intervention the human race would die.

But God did not leave us to die in our terminal state but sent His Son to heal the damage, to reveal the truth, to win us back to love and trust and restore His character, His methods, His principles of love in us again. Because of Jesus Christ, we can have the lies purged and experience a new motive, a new principle, a new heart attitude of love for others, real freedom from fear and selfishness. We can live new lives in which we love others more than ourselves!

This healing starts with the truth about God, as revealed in Christ, which wins us back to trust. And in trust we open the heart to receive God’s regenerating love and then become channels of His love to others. We give ourselves in love to uplift and benefit others. How different would things be for the White and Cicciarro families if they would have sought the truth rather than believing the lie, if they would have loved others first.

May we always pursue the truth, the truth about God, experience His love and become a conduit of goodness, beneficence and love!

Merry Christmas

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 76

Warm greetings from Tanzania! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your team at Come And Reason Ministries for the amazing work you do. Your teachings have opened my eyes to deep biblical truths and how to live them out in real life. I started following the ministry back in 2018, and ever since, my walk with God has grown so much stronger. I’ve found freedom from fear-based faith and now live with more peace and trust in Him. I’ve also been sharing what I’ve learned, especially through Bible School discussions. Your lessons are so insightful and well-explained that I try not to miss a single one. May God continue to bless the work you’re doing.
Elisha M., Tanzania, Africa

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA