1. Hero in their own mind
1.1. Current North Dakota legislature situation
1.1.1. Telling to me
1.1.1.1. Admitted to it and defended it
1.1.1.2. Used his faith as a shield
1.1.1.2.1. Comparing himself to Peter
1.1.1.3. Just like Saul
1.1.1.4. He thinks he's being persecuted for a political beliefs. But Republicans are the ones who removed him since there aren't any Democrats.
1.2. They actually believe what is coming out of their own mouth.
1.2.1. People who know them Vigorously defend them
1.3. How do you help them
1.3.1. Don't waste your time with a closed mind.
1.3.2. Gently
1.3.3. With unconditional love combined with an absolute commitment to God's truth.
1.3.4. But today, I am not concerned about them, only you and me.
2. Saul in 1st Samuel
2.1. 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
2.2. 1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT) 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
2.3. He Believed the lie that he was justified.
2.4. He used his "faith" as a shield,
2.5. The lie he told himself destroyed everything in his life.
3. What is the antidote to lying to yourself?
3.1. Remember, you do it all the time
3.2. Faith in God, and humility.
3.2.1. Two Truths
3.2.1.1. God is ever wrong!
3.2.1.2. I am often wrong
3.3. Helpful Cliché
3.3.1. "God and I often disagree."
3.4. Helpful thought 1
3.4.1. I witnesses are wrong all the time.
3.5. Helpful thought 2
3.5.1. "When I go to heaven..."
4. Message Video
5. Review the motivation of the lawyer
5.1. Luke 10:25 (NLT) 25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
5.2. Luke 10:26 (NLT) 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
5.3. Luke 10:27 (NLT) 27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
5.4. Luke 10:28 (NLT) 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
5.5. Luke 10:29 (NLT) 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
5.6. He was trying to find a way to lie to himself.
6. WE ALL DO IT 😳
6.1. Kirk
6.2. Proverbs 21:2 (NASB95) 2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
6.3. No one is all good or all bad.
6.4. Your mind works tirelessly to be the hero in your story
6.5. We justify the actions of people
6.5.1. Leaders
6.5.2. "Fans"
6.5.3. We justify family
6.5.3.1. "My Johny could never do that."
6.5.3.1.1. Ask a teacher, parents are the worst.