The Cardiff Giant

“I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” (John 8:38-45 ESV).

In 1869, New York cigar maker George Hull had a block of gypsum carved in the likeness of a man over 10 feet tall. It was artificially aged, buried on the Cardiff, NY, farm of Hull's confederate, William Newell, and then arranged to be "discovered" by workmen. Its discovery was heralded as a great geological find of a huge petrified man, and proof of the Genesis verse: "There were giants on the earth in those days…" People flocked to see the giant for a mere 25 cent admission charge. P. T. Barnum wanted to buy the giant and when Hull refused Barnum had a copy made and declared Hull's to be phony. Hull finally confessed his fraud and Barnum's fake of a fake ultimately drew more people than the original. The Cardiff Giant can be visited today in Cooperstown, NY, while Barnum's fake is in Farmington Hills, Mich. It is also of note to know that this was the incident that inspired "There's a sucker born every minute" but P. T. Barnum didn't say it. One of Hull's partners, David Hannum did and Barnum “appropriated” it.

Perhaps some might make the claim for Barnum to be the greatest liar of all time, however the Scripture teaches us that Satan holds that position with no other challengers even close! Jesus said he is that “father of all lies.” The prevailing theme of the New Testament is the position we enjoy in Christ through our faith in Him. That's the good news: Christ in you and you in Christ. If there is a prevailing negative theme in the New Testament, which encapsulates the opposition we face in Satan, I believe it is his deception. There are at least three avenues through which Satan will attempt to dissuade you from God's truth and deceive you into believing his lies: self-deception, false prophets/teachers, and deceiving spirits. We are vulnerable to Satan's deception in these areas if we fail to clothe ourselves daily with the spiritual armor of the belt of truth. Just some of that truth for you to meditate on and declare today is:

 First, the power of sin and addiction is broken.
 Second, the promoter of sin and rebellion, Satan, is defeated.
 Third, the price of redemption has been paid in full, no debt remains.
 Fourth, the way to heaven and to peace with God is open; salvation full and free is available to all through the work of grace in Jesus Christ.
 Fifth, the grave is no longer a dead-end street, it has become a doorway to eternal life.

The next time the devil tries to whisper in your ear that you are defeated or rejected, remember the truth. That will set you free!