“Until I throw off the lies… my emotions, decisions, behaviors, and relationships will remain twisted up in the mistaken belief that I’m worthless.”
Each day, we give time- energy- and power to the lies of the enemy. And, each moment, the Lord gives us new mercies- grace- and peace through His word and truth. We have the opportunity and tools to choose to fight the enemy with what is true.
Satan knows our innermost thoughts and insecurities, our weakest spots. And he will target them every chance he gets. I experience this so very often in my life, and honestly, almost every time I get caught up in the lies. I let one insecurity, one comment, or one mistake consume me.
When we’re consumed and fixated on these things, we are kept from so much. It becomes hard to reflect the light of Jesus to the world when you’re miserable. It becomes hard to extend the grace of Jesus to others when you don’t accept it for yourself. It becomes hard to love like Jesus when you feel anything but loved. It becomes hard to serve like Jesus when you aren’t caring for yourself- mentally, physically, or both. It becomes hard to have a gentle spirit like Jesus when you are barely holding yourself together. And when you dwell on the lies of the enemy, giving power to the thoughts as you allow them to consume you, this is exactly where you’ll end up.
But, let me point you to the Truth. For each and every lie the enemy plants in order to restrict your spiritual growth and influence, the Lord has a weapon ten times greater. Weapons which will strengthen your spirit (limiting the prevalence of future attacks), cover you with inexplainable peace, equip you to wherever you’re called, and reflect Christ from within.
A few examples of these lies and their counter-weapons:
Self importance ——— Humility
Noise ——— Silence
Cynicism ——— Delight
Isolation ——— Connection
Complacency——— Intentionally
Victim hood ——— Gratefulness
Anxiety ——— Trust
Satan strives to fill your mind with thoughts like “I know I look bad today. Everyone is looking at me.” Or maybe, “I know they’re annoyed by me. I’ll just stay home by myself.” What about, “If only [that] wouldn’t have happened. It’s all [that’s] fault.”
These thoughts are all too familiar to me, and it’s not my intention or perspective to invalidate or minimize them in any way. Spiritual warfare is incredibly real. And aggressive. But, I do believe our God is greater than any other, and through His power we can fight the lies of the enemy- and much more effectively when we’re proactive about it.
By getting into God’s words, saturating our hearts and minds with HIS truth- deeply understanding we are fearfully and wonderfully made, created for community and relationship, and intentionally on a path directed by One whose thoughts are much higher than ours. By conversing with God, intentionally and uninterrupted. The best way to get to know someone and learn their voice/direction is to spend time with them. By pushing on. Acknowledge the feelings, thoughts, and choose your weapon. Choose to actively pursue the Lord and His truth throughout the toughest moments. Choose to think about what is excellent, lovely, and true- knowing this won’t last forever.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8