Growing up, when my parents had adult conversations, I would occasionally hear them make comments that didn’t register with my young mind. As I grew up and matured some of those colloquialisms were finally understood and made sense. One such comment was, “They were sold a bill of goods.”

A dictionary definition interprets the phrase this way, “Making promises that knowingly can’t or won’t be kept – something intentionally misrepresented and passed off in a deception or fraud.”

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians what it means to be a mature believer. Once we have been trained in God’s word and equipped for our Kingdom assignment by the Spirit “We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever, they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14). Clever lies wrapped in the garment of a deceptive bill of goods are being worn by more and more believers. This is taking place because they are trying to live a life of faith distant from the very spiritual gifts used by God to bring them to a place of maturity.

The current bill of goods has to do with many issues like redefining our sexual identity outside God’s original created order, denying the sanctity of a God-ordained marriage, and the value of life at any stage of development. During the last year of social shut down the bill of goods also told us that to be a good and compassionate Christian meant we should keep our mouths shut on social issues as a badge of true faith. For others, it has been allowing the current mood of culture to interpret Scripture.  

Every generation has its version of a bill of goods. Discerning what is listed on that bill and comparing it to the heart of God, His word and the history of our faith will be critical in determining whether we are following the Spirit of the Lord or the spirit of the age. Choose wisely.