HOW THESE 4 LIES WILL KEEP YOU FROM STANDING IN GOD’S TRUTH

Sometimes when we struggle to stand it is because we believe Satan’s lies instead of God’s truth. Lies that tell us we are weak, alone, and lost. If we choose to listen to these lies instead of God’s truth, we will continue to fall.

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF LIES

The Bible tells us that the source of our information determines whether we believe lies or truth. If we fall for the devil’s schemes, we will be deceived because he is the father of lies.

In Ephesians 6, Paul makes it clear that every Christian is fighting a spiritual battle. While spiritual warfare may be hard to wrap our minds around, I think The Message translation of these verses puts it in terms we can understand:

This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You are up against far more than you can handle on your own.”

Ephesians 6: 12-13 (The Message)

In the gospel of John, Jesus uses strong language in describing the enemy of our souls:

…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.”

John 8:44 (ESV)

So, what can we learn from these two Bible passages?

We have an enemy whose most potent weapon is deception. As C.S. Lewis warns us in The Screwtape Letters, we should neither ignore the devil nor give him too much attention.

We have an enemy whose most potent weapon is deception. As C.S. Lewis warns us in The Screwtape Letters, we should neither ignore the devil nor give him too much attention.

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive interest in them.”  

C.S. Lewis

FOUR LIES THAT THE ENEMY WANTS US TO BELIEVE

The reason God commands us to stand against the enemy is that he knows the devil wants to keep us seated and defeated. It is the only way he can win the battle for our souls! He will do anything he can to prevent us from putting on God’s armor and standing in God’s truth.

And if we take the time to physically rest and prepare for battle (like we learned how to do last week), his only other option is to attack us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually with half-truths and lies.

And, do you know what? He is so clever and manipulative that he actually gets us to say and believe these things ourselves!

Here are the most common lies we believe when we are struggling to stand:

1. I AM WEAK.
2. I AM ALONE.
3. I AM LOST.
4. I WILL FALL.

How do I know these FOUR LIES can keep us from standing in God’s truth? In full disclosure and transparency, I spoke every one of them out loud this week! (True story.)

And believing these lies not only kept me from standing on my feet but also sent me reeling backward into a bottomless, dark pit of despair.

Exactly where the enemy wanted me. And wants you, too.

SATAN‘S LIES VS. GOD’S TRUTH

So, how did I claw my way out of the deep hole of doubt and discouragement? Well, it wasn’t easy! It was a slow and steady climb with many setbacks. And although I tried drowning out the lies with prayer, worship songs, and words of wisdom from trusted friends, there was only one thing that I could use as a weapon to defeat the lies of the enemy.

GOD’S TRUTH

I had to go back to my Bible, dig deep into scripture, and use the Word of God to refute and debunk every lie I wanted to believe. I wrote out scripture verses in my journal, on notecards, and even on my phone and would speak them out loud each time the enemy tempted me with one of these lies.

• When I say, “I AM WEAK,” God says, “YOU ARE STRONG.”
• When I say, “I AM ALONE,” God says, “YOU ARE SUPPORTED.”
• When I say, “I AM LOST, ” God says, “YOU ARE SECURE.”
• When I say, “I WILL FALL,” God says, “YOU WILL STAND.”

HOW TO ANSWER LIES WITH BIBLICAL TRUTH

WHEN YOU FEEL WEAK, THE BIBLE SAYS YOU ARE STRONG:

He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.” 

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE, THE BIBLE SAYS YOU ARE SUPPORTED:

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”  

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NLT)

WHEN YOU FEEL LOST, THE BIBLE SAYS YOU ARE SECURE:

Psalm 121:5-8

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:5-8 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.‘”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WILL FALL, THE BIBLE SAYS YOU WILL STAND:

But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;
    my God will hear me.

 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
    when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be a light to me.“

Micah 7:7-8 (ESV)

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…”

Jude 1:24 (ESV)

LET’S STAND IN GOD’S TRUTH TOGETHER

Maybe you are right there with me, weary warrior, too weak to stand and too far away to see and hear God’s truth. I will not shame you or dismiss your feelings (I know they are raw and real!), but I want you to know that the only way to fight these destructive lies is with the power of God’s truth.

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