Have Authenticity Consistently

Never and Always

When people teach classes on effective communication, they often advise students to avoid the words never and always. That’s because accusing someone of never doing something or of always being a certain way is rarely accurate.

A person may exhibit behaviors or have bad habits most of the time, even 99 percent of the time, but not always or never. For example, have you ever heard people arguing and one person accuses another one of never doing their fair share of the work on something? The one accused usually comes back and says, “That is not true . . .”

The words always and never do not leave room for any exceptions and using them causes us to exaggerate or misrepresent the truth. That’s why communication experts say these words have no place in healthy conversation.

God is the only one who can accurately say “never” and “always.” His Word is absolute truth, and if He says these words, we can count on them. For example, the Bible says, The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deut. 31:8 NIV). God’s Word also includes Jesus’ promise to remain with us always in Matthew 28:20, our verse for today.

The devil often plants thoughts in our minds based on never and always, because he knows they can entrap us. He tells us the negative aspects of our lives will never change and will always be the way they are right now.

Perhaps he has told you lies such as: “All the women in your family are overweight. You will never be slim and trim,” or “You don’t have the personality to advance at work. You will always be stuck in the job you have today,” or “You will always have to deal with the impact of the abuse in your life. You just can’t get over that.” These types of thoughts can paralyze you by putting fear in your heart. They can cause you to give up on your dreams and not to even try to pursue God’s plans for your life. That’s exactly why the enemy gives them to you. The devil is a liar. Sooner or later, most things change. Negative situations rarely last forever, so our job is to push through them with prayer, patience, and God’s help. As we continue to walk in faith, believe God, and trust Him to lead us, we can come out of any negative circumstance in which we find ourselves.

Don’t let the enemy ensnare you with thoughts of never and always. Believe God to change what may seem or feel like it will never change for you, because the only never and always that mean anything are the ones in His Word. Declare this: I am thankful that God never leaves me, and that I always have hope in Him.

Prayer Starter: Father, I know that you know what’s going on in my life, and I know you always know the truth. Help me to know and recognize the difference between Your truth and the devil’s lies. In Jesus’ name, amen.