Don't Buy the Lie: Discerning Truth in a World of Deception (invert) [Paperback]

Mark Matlock (Author)

Book Description

Series: invert | Publication Date: August 31, 2004

This book helps teenagers understand how to think clearly and biblically about supernatural events. Every day we hear of supernatural phenomenon---from Ouija boards to crop circles to psychics on TV---and it's difficult for teens to know how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit occurrences. Author Mark Matlock, who has conducted a research project with Barna Research on Teens and the Supernatural and is a member of the international community of illusionists, presents clear principles and intriguing examples that teach teens how to respond to the supernatural with wisdom, discernment, and without being duped. Using the Acts community at Berea as a model, Matlock identifies 'thinking traps' that lead to deception, such as not balancing the mind and emotions, mixing truth with lies, and making false association. With clarity, he shows readers how to find Christ, and provides biblical answers to frequently asked questions about such things as Ouija boards, psychics, angels, and demons. Upside-down. Turned around. Sound like a typical day for you? invert books meet you where you are---in the twisted, flipped around places in your life. You've got so many relationships to focus on---God, others, and even yourself---invert books will help you figure out how to give yourself fully to all of them. invert tackles the difficult topics that are important to you---and will help you turn to focus on God more clearly.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book helps teenagers understand how to think clearly and biblically about supernatural events. Every day we hear of supernatural phenomenon—from Ouija boards to crop circles to psychics on TV—and it’s difficult for teens to know how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit occurrences. Author Mark Matlock, who has conducted a research project with Barna Research on Teens and the Supernatural and is a member of the international community of illusionists, presents clear principles and intriguing examples that teach teens how to respond to the supernatural with wisdom, discernment, and without being duped.

Using the Acts community at Berea as a model, Matlock identifies "thinking traps" that lead to deception, such as not balancing the mind and emotions, mixing truth with lies, and making false association. With clarity, he shows readers how to find Christ, and provides biblical answers to frequently asked questions about such things as Ouija boards, psychics, angels, and demons.

Upside-down. Turned around. Sound like a typical day for you? invert books meet you where you are—in the twisted, flipped around places in your life. You’ve got so many relationships to focus on—God, others, and even yourself—invert books will help you figure out how to give yourself fully to all of them. invert tackles the difficult topics that are important to you—and will help you turn to focus on God more clearly.

About the Author

Mark Matlock has been working with youth pastors, students, and parents for two decades. He's vice president of event content at Youth Specialties and founder of WisdomWorks Ministries and PlanetWisdom. He's the author of several books including The Wisdom On - series, Living a Life That Matters, and Don't Buy The Lie. Mark lives in Texas with his wife Jade and their two children.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan/Youth Specialties (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310258146
• ISBN-13: 978-0310258148
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,442,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Matlock has been working with youth pastors, students, and parents for two decades. He's vice president of event content at Youth Specialties and founder of WisdomWorks Ministries and PlanetWisdom. He's the author of several books including The Wisdom On - series, Living a Life That Matters, and Don't Buy The Lie. Mark lives in Texas with his wife Jade and their two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Teens and Youth Pastors!, December 26, 2010

By 

Mara Kim (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Buy the Lie: Discerning Truth in a World of Deception (invert) (Paperback)

The rest of the book title is `Discerning Truth in a World of Deception.' This book tackles issues such as horoscopes, psychics, vampires, ghosts, and other ideas that can distract our attention from the truth. God's truth.

Mark loved magic tricks and loved deceiving people through illusions. He was a junior member of the Magic Castle in Southern California at the age of 17. It's all in fun, right?

The only problem is this continues on today. Psychics claim they can talk to your loved ones who passed on. They are able to get enough information from you to convince you that they really are contacting the dead and have a message for you. Even Hollywood plays into this role. Think about the movie, Ghost. The guy is murdered but hangs back until is girl is safe and then he moves into the light. It's a great movie. But, it's not reflective of scripture. Whenever you watch a movie or read a book, you must put it through the discernment filter. Mark suggests this: listen, learn, and compare it to scripture. The only way you will know the truth is by studying God's word. Otherwise, you are opening yourselves up to deceptions that flood our world today.

Throughout the book, there are survey questions that are asked specifically to the teen crowd. For example, 21% of the teens surveyed believe that Satan is not a real being, but represents the conflict of good and evil (see page 57). That's a big number!

It's true that there is a hot debate among even Christians when it comes to watching movies or reading books that involve witchcraft or vampires. If you watch Twilight and it makes you want to be a vampire, research the idea of them and obsess about it, then it is keeping you from following Christ. And no, vampires do not exist so don't look for them.

The key theme throughout the book is deception. We live in a big world of deceit. People fall for some things that are good but there are lies mixed in that keep them from the truth. Angels are good. But, they are not God. We are to worship God not Angels.

I would recommend the book for teens and youth pastors.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Zondervan). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."