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For better or for worse—what we believe shapes our lives. This is especially true in what we believe about ourselves.

In life we don't see (and believe) things the way they are but the way we are. And the way we see things is largely dependent on the way we see ourselves. If we see and believe we are lovable, we will act in a lovable manner and attract love to us. If we believe we are capable and have integrity, we can achieve great and noble goals with our life.

On the other hand, if we believe we are unlovable, we will act accordingly even though it is a lie. That is, we will act in such a way that we will get ourselves rejected, and the thing we fear we will make happen.

I know a man who believes he isn't very smart because he doesn't have a university degree, but he is highly intelligent and is very clever. But because he believes his own lie about himself, he has cheated himself of what he could have achieved with his life. I believe in education but a college degree doesn't make one smart or give one wisdom. There are many brilliant uneducated people and there are many educated fools.

The lies we believe, deceive. As Jesus said so poignantly many years ago, only the truth will set us free. He also said, "According to your faith [what you believe] so be it done to you."