TOXIC FAITH (1) What is Toxic Faith This lesson and graphics by: D. L. Henderson, D.Min. User License required to alter this presentation. Contact Copyright©2000 TOXIC FAITH (1) What is Toxic Faith This lesson and graphics by: D. L. Henderson, D.Min. User License required to alter this presentation. Contact Copyright©2000

WARNING This study of “Toxic Faith” will deal with the common “misbeliefs” that poison one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. This study will focus on how to eliminate toxic faith from one’s personal belief system.

1. Definition “Toxic faith” believes that which is not true as though it was true.

Toxic faith differs from unbelief which means one does not believe in Jesus Christ.

Toxic faith... … means one embraces a falsehood as though it were true.

By the word “toxic” it is meant that... such false belief is poisonous and hazardous to one’s emotional and spiritual well-being.

Therefore... The terms “toxic faith” and “misbelief” are synonymous.

2. The Origins of Toxic Faith No one starts out to have toxic faith. No one starts out to hold falsehoods as truth. So how does this happen? No one starts out to have toxic faith. No one starts out to hold falsehoods as truth. So how does this happen?

You were told untruth and believed it! You can’t do anything right!

You told yourself untruth and believed it! I can’t do anything right!

3. The steps to “Toxic Faith” 1--I tell myself or I am told that an untruth is truth 2--I accept that untruth and live my life according to it 3--I try to convince myself and others of it OR I tell myself or I am told that an untruth is truth 2--I accept that untruth and live my life according to it 3--I try to convince myself and others of it OR...

3. The steps to “Toxic Faith” 4--I perceive my circumstances, events, or things in a false way 5--I put a false spin on them 6--I feel miserable because of the false spin I put on them 4--I perceive my circumstances, events, or things in a false way 5--I put a false spin on them 6--I feel miserable because of the false spin I put on them

4. Results of toxic faith Can be disastrous! Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

Jesus said: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mt 7:13:-14

So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! 1 Cor. 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins... 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…. The content of faith is important! 1 Cor. 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins... 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day….

So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. The content of faith is important! 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. Believing the wrong message is fatal!

So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again… The content of faith is important! Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again… Paul calls it: “different” “no gospel” “perverted” “other gospel”

So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! Gal. 1:9 If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! The content of faith is important! Gal. 1:9 If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! FAITH + WORKS = DIFFERENT GOSPEL = Toxic Faith

Besides “Toxic Faith” with respect to the gospel & salvation People believe many other things that are different from what God’s Word teaches--which leads to...

5. Other unnecessary results from “toxic faith” We are unhappy, anxious, afraid, depressed, disappointed, etc. when God desires to bless us! WHY?

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” KJV Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” KJV

We become what we tell ourselves! What we “tell ourselves” is called “self-talk.”

When we tell ourselves untrue things About ourselves we eventually: persuade ourselves they are so act upon them become what we think/believe About ourselves we eventually: persuade ourselves they are so act upon them become what we think/believe

Why? Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” We become what we tell ourselves!

How do we correct this? We Must: Recognize our toxic misbeliefs Remove our toxic misbeliefs Replace our toxic misbeliefs with “true” faith (in God and His Word) We Must: Recognize our toxic misbeliefs Remove our toxic misbeliefs Replace our toxic misbeliefs with “true” faith (in God and His Word)

How do we correct this? We must practice Phil. 4:8,9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. We must practice Phil. 4:8,9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Telling ourselves the truth is key to emotional happiness and spiritual blessings.

TOXIC FAITH (WEEK ONE) What is Toxic Faith? By Dennis Henderson, D. Min. of Bible Point WARNING: This study of “Toxic Faith” will deal with the common “misbeliefs” that poison one’s emotional and spiritual well- being. This study will focus on how to eliminate toxic faith from one’s personal belief system. 1. Definition: “Toxic faith” believes that which is not true as though it was true. “Toxic faith” Differs from unbelief which means one does not believe in Jesus Christ. …By the word “toxic” it is meant that... such false belief is poisonous and hazardous to one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Therefore... The terms “toxic faith” and “misbelief” are synonymous. 2. The Origins of Toxic Faith No one starts out to have toxic faith. No one starts out to hold falsehoods as truth. So how does this happen? You were told untruth and believed it! You can’t do anything right! I can’t do anything right! 3. The steps to “Toxic Faith” 1--I tell myself or I am told that an untruth is truth 2--I accept that untruth and live my life according to it 3--I try to convince myself and others of it TOXIC FAITH (WEEK ONE) What is Toxic Faith? By Dennis Henderson, D. Min. of Bible Point WARNING: This study of “Toxic Faith” will deal with the common “misbeliefs” that poison one’s emotional and spiritual well- being. This study will focus on how to eliminate toxic faith from one’s personal belief system. 1. Definition: “Toxic faith” believes that which is not true as though it was true. “Toxic faith” Differs from unbelief which means one does not believe in Jesus Christ. …By the word “toxic” it is meant that... such false belief is poisonous and hazardous to one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Therefore... The terms “toxic faith” and “misbelief” are synonymous. 2. The Origins of Toxic Faith No one starts out to have toxic faith. No one starts out to hold falsehoods as truth. So how does this happen? You were told untruth and believed it! You can’t do anything right! I can’t do anything right! 3. The steps to “Toxic Faith” 1--I tell myself or I am told that an untruth is truth 2--I accept that untruth and live my life according to it 3--I try to convince myself and others of it

OR I perceive my circumstances, events, or thing in a false way 5--I put a false spin on them 6--I feel miserable because of the false spin I put on them 4. Results of toxic faith Can be disastrous! Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Jesus said: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mt 7:13:-14 So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! 1 Cor. 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins... 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…. 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again… So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! Gal. 1:9 If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Besides “Toxic Faith” with respect to the gospel & salvation People believe many other things that are different from what God’s Word teaches--which leads to... OR I perceive my circumstances, events, or thing in a false way 5--I put a false spin on them 6--I feel miserable because of the false spin I put on them 4. Results of toxic faith Can be disastrous! Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Jesus said: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mt 7:13:-14 So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! 1 Cor. 15:1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins... 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…. 15:2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again… So what we believe really matters: The content of faith is important! Gal. 1:9 If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Besides “Toxic Faith” with respect to the gospel & salvation People believe many other things that are different from what God’s Word teaches--which leads to...

5. Other unnecessary results from “toxic faith” We are unhappy, anxious, afraid, depressed, disappointed, etc. when God desires to bless us! Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” KJV We become what we tell ourselves! What we “tell ourselves” is called “self-talk.” When we tell ourselves untrue things About ourselves we eventually: persuade ourselves they are so act upon them become what we think/believe Why? Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” How do we correct this? We Must: Recognize our toxic misbeliefs Remove our toxic misbeliefs Replace our toxic misbeliefs with “true” faith (in God and His Word) Telling ourselves the truth is key to emotional happiness and spiritual blessings. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ [Note: This set of teacher notes is designed to be made into student a hand-out. Select words in these notes to replace with blank-lines to be filled-in as you make the presentation. You may wish to copy the information from these notes and paste them into a “portrait view” (they are now in “landscape view”) presentation or a word processor to print them as hand-outs.] 5. Other unnecessary results from “toxic faith” We are unhappy, anxious, afraid, depressed, disappointed, etc. when God desires to bless us! Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” KJV We become what we tell ourselves! What we “tell ourselves” is called “self-talk.” When we tell ourselves untrue things About ourselves we eventually: persuade ourselves they are so act upon them become what we think/believe Why? Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks within himself so he is.” How do we correct this? We Must: Recognize our toxic misbeliefs Remove our toxic misbeliefs Replace our toxic misbeliefs with “true” faith (in God and His Word) Telling ourselves the truth is key to emotional happiness and spiritual blessings. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ [Note: This set of teacher notes is designed to be made into student a hand-out. Select words in these notes to replace with blank-lines to be filled-in as you make the presentation. You may wish to copy the information from these notes and paste them into a “portrait view” (they are now in “landscape view”) presentation or a word processor to print them as hand-outs.]