Logo
    Search

    12 Truths & A Lie Podcast by J.D. Greear

    Pre-order 12 Truths & A Lie in the EMF Bookstore then click “Redeem Your Order” and fill out the brief form to get the audiobook free to begin listening to immediately!

    Whether you're a new Christian or have walked with God for decades, life is filled with difficult questions that can feel impossible to answer. In the 12 Truths & A Lie Podcast, Pastor J.D. Greear confidently tackles some of the most perplexing issues, including our purpose, the afterlife, how to handle political differences, and more with profound insight, empathy, and scriptural application. 

    J.D. Greear serves as the Lead Pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC. He is the author of several books, including "Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart," "Essential Christianity," and his most recent work, "12 Truths and a Lie." Additionally, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A since January 2022 and previously held the position of the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

    Our prayer for you is that this podcast will help draw you closer to God and be bold in asking hard questions. Here’s the promise: with each question, we will pursue the answers according to what God’s Word says…the ultimate truth.

    en-usAccessMore18 Episodes

    Episodes (18)

    Conclusion: The Lie Revisited

    Conclusion: The Lie Revisited

    Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com

    Can you remember the last time you went through a period of intense doubt? 

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. talks about the most famous doubter of all time—Thomas—and shows us how we can deal with our doubts. Many of us think that our doubts disqualify us spiritually. But doubt is like a raised foot: It can step backwards in unbelief, but it can also walk forward in faith.

    You’ll learn what to do with your doubts, as well as what God says to you in the midst of your doubt. Like Thomas, you may not get all of your questions answered. But you may get something even better—a love too wonderful for words. 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    If I’m Really a Christian, Why Do I Keep on Sinning?

    If I’m Really a Christian, Why Do I Keep on Sinning?

    Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com

     Do you ever feel stuck in your sin? Do you ever wish you were more able to kick old habits and overcome old temptations? 

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. walks us through the temptation of Jesus, showing us how Satan brings his battle against Jesus—and against us. He doesn’t begin where we might expect, enticing Jesus to do sinful things. He begins, instead, with identity. 

    You’ll learn to spot the three traps Satan always uses, and you’ll hear about the one truth that enables you to withstand any attack.

    Our final episode releases next Monday. It’s about doubt, and you won’t want to miss it! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Bonus: Why Does God Care so Much About My Sex Life with Rebecca McLaughlin

    Bonus: Why Does God Care so Much About My Sex Life with Rebecca McLaughlin

    Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com

    Join J.D. Greear for a special bonus episode of his podcast, 12 Truths & A Lie. Pastor J.D. is joined by author and apologist, Rebecca McLaughlin for a conversation around the question, “Why Does God Care So Much About My Sex Life?” McLaughlin shares that, “According to the bible, the whole point of Christian marriage between a man and a woman is to point us to a much greater relationship, which is Jesus’ love for his people. The story of the bible is not a story of hate, but a story of love.” Listen to Rebecca brilliantly unpack the Bible’s teaching on sexuality and marriage in a compelling discussion with J.D.

    Rebecca McLaughlin holds a PhD from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary in London. She is the author of Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion, The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims, and Jesus Through the Eyes of Women. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram, or her website. 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Why Does God Care so Much About My Sex Life

    Why Does God Care so Much About My Sex Life

    Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com

    Do you remember the first time someone had “the talk” with you? Chances are, they didn’t pick up their Bible to walk you through God’s view of sex.

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. walks through 1 Corinthians 6, showing us that sex is more than just biology, but a deeply spiritual reality. In our day, with so much confusion about sex, we need this teaching more than ever. 

    You’ll learn how God designed sex, where our society gets sex wrong, and what we can do with our own sexual guilt and shame.

    New episodes drop every Monday—with bonus episodes on Thursdays. Don’t miss any, subscribe today! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Bonus: How Should Christians Handle Political Differences with Collin Hansen

    Bonus: How Should Christians Handle Political Differences with Collin Hansen

    Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.com

    Join J.D. Greear for a special bonus episode of his podcast, 12 Truths & A Lie. Pastor J.D. is joined by his good friend and journalist, Collin Hansen to wrestle with the question, “How Should Christians Handle Political Differences?” Listen as Collin and J.D. take a deep dive into how we got to where we are in our society, where political and cultural differences have divided us as never before. The conversation gets very practical when J.D. asks Collin, “How should we tackle conversations around the dinner table with our friends and family to avoid the blow-up usually caused by political disagreements?” Collin’s answer invites us to take a genuine interest in people’s actual lives and pursue deeper relationships rather than sniping each other over political disagreements. Download and listen to this amazing conversation between two longtime friends. 

    Collin Hansen serves as vice president for content and editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He hosts the Gospelbound podcast and has written and contributed to many books, most recently Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation and Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential. He has published with the New York Times and the Washington Post and offered commentary for CNN, Fox News, NPR, BBC, ABC News, and PBS NewsHour. He edited Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor and The New City Catechism Devotional, among other books. He is an adjunct professor at Beeson Divinity School, where he also co-chairs the advisory board. 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    How Should Christians Handle Political Differences?

    How Should Christians Handle Political Differences?

    When was the last time you had a political discussion with another believer? (Did it go well?)

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. teaches about the four myths Americans believe about politics—myths that are just as active inside the church as outside it. These four myths tend to turn political discussions into raging arguments, so it’s important that we recognize them and learn to avoid them.

    You’ll learn how to navigate political differences without compromising your convictions, setting your hope not on the stars and stripes of our flag, but in the scars and stripes of our Savior.

    We’ll have a new episode next Monday—this time about sex (and you thought politics was controversial!). Subscribe now to be the first to listen! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    How Could a Good God Send People to Hell?

    How Could a Good God Send People to Hell?

    If you had 10 minutes and a divine eraser, what do you think you’d remove from the Bible? If you’re like most people, you might erase the idea of hell.

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. shows us why it would be disastrous to remove hell from our Bibles. Hell may be a difficult doctrine to wrestle with, but when seen from God’s vantage point, it is essential to knowing, loving, and worshiping God. 

    You’ll be challenged to see God’s wrath for what it is—an expression of his goodness, justice, patience, and love.

    Episodes are released each Monday, and our next one is about politics. (Buckle up!) Subscribe now so you don’t miss it! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    I Believe in God… Why Do I Still Have So Much Anxiety?

    I Believe in God… Why Do I Still Have So Much Anxiety?

    What would you say makes you more anxious than anything else? Money, work, being alone, losing someone you love?

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. addresses an emotion that we’ve all felt (and that all of us would like to feel less often)—anxiety. We know Jesus says we should not be anxious. But Jesus doesn’t just leave us there: He provides a way of healing for the anxious soul. 

    You’ll learn more about what fuels your anxiety, as well as what you can do to overcome it.

    Our next episode drops on Monday. Subscribe today so you find out the moment it’s available! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    How Can I Know God’s Will for My Life?

    How Can I Know God’s Will for My Life?

    When you’re looking for God’s guidance in a situation, don’t you wish he would just write the answer out in the sky? Or, maybe, send you a personalized text message?

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. answers the question he gets more than any other: How can I know God’s will for my life? When faced with a tough life choice—about school, about work, about your relationships—many people are terrified they’ll somehow miss God’s will. 

    But God’s will isn’t some mysterious target we’re aiming at in the dark. As you’ll learn in this episode, the more important question is not how God guides, but whom God guides.

    Episodes release every Monday. Next up, we’re talking about anxiety. You won’t want to skip this one! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers?

    Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers?

    Have you ever wondered why God answers some prayers, but not others? Some of the most painful moments in the Christian life revolve around unanswered prayer.

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. talks about this universal, but disorienting, experience. He shows us, through the life of the patriarch Jacob, what God is up to when he seems so silent and distant. 

    You’ll learn five of the most common reasons God says “no” to our prayers, as well as helpful tips you can use in your prayers today. 

    New episodes come out every Monday—and the next one tackles the question I get more than any other. Subscribe today so you don’t miss it!

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Isn’t the Bible's Morality Outdated?

    Isn’t the Bible's Morality Outdated?

    Do you ever feel like a bit embarrassed by things you find in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament? In the 21st century, the Bible can feel horribly outdated, even offensive. 

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. answers the sorts of questions most of us hope our non-Christian friends never ask. Questions like, “Doesn’t the Bible condone polygamy and slavery?” Or, “How could God have ordained all of these military conquests?” 

    You’ll see why the morals of the Bible, while offensive to many, are actually the most liberating, just, and transformative rules ever written.

    We’ll release our next episode, about unanswered prayer, on Monday. Subscribe now so you can hear it the moment it drops! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    If God is Really in Control, Why is There so Much Evil and Suffering?

    If God is Really in Control, Why is There so Much Evil and Suffering?

    Have you ever been in the midst of some task—something lifegiving, challenging, and exciting all at once—and thought, “Man, it seems like I was made for this!”? What if that feeling wasn’t just a fleeting thought, but a picture of reality? What if God actually has given you a specific task, some way to reflect his kingdom?

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. teaches us what God thinks about our work. Many of us haven’t given that a lot of thought. What does God have to do with my job? Actually, quite a bit! Through your work, God can fulfill promises, display his redemption, and advance his mission. 

    Whether you’re a builder or a banker, a student or a stay-at-home mom, you’ll learn the five ways you can approach your work from a uniquely Christian perspective.

    New episodes are released every Monday! Subscribe today so you don’t miss one! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    Bonus: How Can I Discover My Purpose on Earth with David Platt

    Bonus: How Can I Discover My Purpose on Earth with David Platt

    Join J.D. Greear for a special bonus episode of his podcast, 12 Truths and a Lie. Pastor J.D. is joined by his good friend and pastor, David Platt to wrestle with the question, “What is my purpose on earth?” In a compelling conversation, David answers that question with more questions: “Do we know better than God the purpose of our lives? Are our ways better than God’s ways? Why are we actually here on earth?”

    Listen as David and J.D. reframe these critical questions. Platt’s answer turns everything upside down, “In humility, we need to prayerfully ask God, ‘What do you say is my purpose on earth? God, what is your purpose in the world, and how do I align my life with it?’” as a better way to approach the question of our purpose.

    So what is God’s purpose? David shares that, “God’s purpose on earth is for people from all nations to enjoy and exalt him in all of his glory. We are created to enjoy God in a loving relationship with Him.” 

    David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical. David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.  

    Check out radical.net for more resources mentioned in this podcast by David Platt. 

    How Can I Discover My Purpose on Earth?

    How Can I Discover My Purpose on Earth?

    Have you ever been in the midst of some task—something lifegiving, challenging, and exciting all at once—and thought, “Man, it seems like I was made for this!”? What if that feeling wasn’t just a fleeting thought, but a picture of reality? What if God actually has given you a specific task, some way to reflect his kingdom?

    In this episode of “12 Truths & A Lie,” Pastor J.D. teaches us what God thinks about our work. Many of us haven’t given that a lot of thought. What does God have to do with my job? Actually, quite a bit! Through your work, God can fulfill promises, display his redemption, and advance his mission. 

    Whether you’re a builder or a banker, a student, or a stay-at-home mom, you’ll learn the five ways you can approach your work from a uniquely Christian perspective.

    New episodes are released every Monday—with bonus episodes every Thursday! Subscribe today so you don’t miss one! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths & A Lie'

    What Are the Most Important Practices in a Christian’s Life?

    What Are the Most Important Practices in a Christian’s Life?

    With everything that goes on in church, do you ever wonder, “What exactly is the most important thing we’re doing here?” Most churches keep themselves—and their members—really busy. They judge their success by how many people attend or how many baptisms they’ve done. But heaven doesn’t celebrate any of those numbers. It only celebrates disciples. 

    In this episode of “12 Truths and a Lie,” Pastor J.D. shows us the heart of Jesus’ mission. It’s found right in the Great Commission. But it’s not “going,” “teaching,” or “baptizing.” At the center of it all is one command: “Make disciples.” Disciple-making wasn’t a special assignment for a select few, but the central calling for every follower of Jesus. 

    You’ll learn all about Jesus’ call to become a disciple, along with the five identities of every follower of Jesus—worshiper, family member, servant, steward, and witness. Most importantly, you’ll learn how you can discover your role in the disciple-making process. Because God’s method for reaching the world isn’t big ministries with uber-talented preachers, but everyday Christians, filled with the Spirit, making disciples everywhere they go. 

    In other words, God’s method … is you.

    New episodes drop every Monday, so be sure you subscribe so you never miss one! 

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths and a Lie'

    How Can I Know for Sure I'll Go to Heaven?

    How Can I Know for Sure I'll Go to Heaven?

    Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I know, for sure, that I’m going to heaven when I die?” So many Christians have wrestled with this question for their entire lives, which can lead to anxiety and insecurity about their eternal destination. How can you know, for sure, that you’re going to heaven when you die? Most people feel like knowing for sure they’ll go to heaven has something to do with their behavior—If you are good enough; if you believe enough; go to church enough; give enough.  

    In this episode of 12 Truths and a Lie, Pastor JD talks about how to experience true assurance of our salvation. Listen as the truths of scripture are explained in regards to knowing for sure that we have been counted as righteous. We get Christ’s perfect record credited to our account. When God looks at J.D. Greear, he sees not how many times I’ve prayed, how sincere I was in my faith, how pure I was… but he sees Jesus’ record credited to mine. 

    Our prayer is that you can find peace in the fact that when God sees you, he sees the perfect life of Jesus. And so he says to you, “YOU ARE MY beloved child, in whom I am well pleased.” 

    In the next episode, Pastor J.D. will take a deep dive into discipleship – you don’t want to miss it!  

    Scripture references found in this episode: Romans 4:1–5; 1 John 5:13; John 14:18; Genesis 15:6; 1 Cor 13:1; John 1:16–18; John 2:20–27; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:15; Prov 24:11

    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths and a Lie'

    Introduction to 12 Truths & A Lie by J.D. Greear

    Introduction to 12 Truths & A Lie by J.D. Greear

    As Christians, there are often questions that we’re afraid to say out loud for fear that the question or doubt might reveal shame, embarrassment, or criticism in regard to our faith journey. 

    But what if we were bold enough to not only ask those questions but also pursue the answers? Join us on 12 Truths & A Lie by J.D. Greear as we navigate those topics together by looking at scripture…the ultimate truth!

    Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode!


    Check out J.D.'s new book '12 Truths and a Lie'