Believable Lies: God Is a Killjoy

Welcome back to the podcast! We’ve all heard them. Little phrases that sound wise, comforting, or even spiritual—but they’re not true. In this series, we’ll uncover some of the most common believable lies people buy into about God, life, and faith.

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Believable Lie #1: God Is a Killjoy

We’ve all heard little phrases that sound wise, comforting, or even spiritual—but they’re not true. One of the most common is this: God doesn’t want me to have any fun. Christianity is painted as a straightjacket, filled with rules and regulations designed to rob us of joy. But when we look at the Bible, we discover the opposite. God is not against our joy—He designed us for it.

1. God’s First Act Was Blessing

When God created humanity, His very first action was blessing.

“Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’” Genesis 1:28 NLT

From the beginning, God was for humanity, not against them. He gave people:

• The blessing of family (“be fruitful and multiply”)
• The blessing of purpose and responsibility (“fill the earth and govern it”)
• The blessing of authority as image-bearers (“reign over all the animals”)

This is not a killjoy God. This is a good Father who wants His children to flourish.

2. God’s Provision Was Abundant

God also provided generously for His people.

“Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” Genesis 1:29 NLT

From food to meaningful work, God filled their lives with everything needed for satisfaction. Genesis even describes Eden as a “protected place of pleasure.” Far from being restrictive, God’s design was overflowing with joy and provision.

3. God Gave Boundaries for Our Good

But God also gave the first moral boundary.

“You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NLT

This wasn’t about killing joy—it was about protecting it. Boundaries are part of love. Just as good parents set limits to protect their kids, God gave Adam and Eve a command for their flourishing.

4. The Serpent Reframed God as a Killjoy

In Genesis 3, the serpent planted the first seed of suspicion:

“Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 NLT

Notice the distortion—turning God’s...