Overcoming the Enemy’s Lies
Are you struggling with something in your life … physical illness, mental illness, broken relationships? Throughout our lives we encounter many obstacles that will hinder, block and derail us from God’s destiny plan for us. Many of these obstacles are spiritually based and they are sent from the enemy of our soul. These spiritual obstacles are all rooted in lies. These lies affect what we believe about our life, our self, others and God.
All lies are from the enemy – the father of lies!
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)
The dictionary defines lies as “toxic statements” and they can take root in your thinking. When they do, your internal thoughts and internal reality become your external reality.
As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7)
Your brain is constantly making moment-by-moment appraisals of the thoughts that are flowing in and out of your conscious thinking. Each of these thoughts, whether they are truth or lies, provoke emotional and physical responses in your body and your mind. You need to be constantly vigilant in assessing whether these thoughts are God’s truth or the enemy’s lies.
Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
But how do you know the difference between God’s truth and a lie? One way is by the way you feel. Lies leave you feeling hopeless, afraid, worried, guilty or filled with shame and self-accusation. But God’s truth always leaves you feeling hopeful, excited, confident and worthy with great expectations for a good outcome.
Lies get woven into toxic stories that are stored in your memories. Your memories are a collection of all those stories – some good and some toxic. You see the world through the filter of these memories and stories, whether true or false. You live your life and relate to yourself, others and God through that filter. When you believe these false toxic stories, filled with lies, they become your foundational truth. You think, act and make decisions and live out of these toxic stories and YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW IT!
Here’s the good news. YOU have the power to overcome the influence of the enemy’s lies. No one can do it for you. YOU have to choose to be an OVERCOMER!
- Choose what you want to believe – about yourself, your future, and about God!
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved – you and your household! (Acts 16:31 NIV)
2. Choose what you want to think! Identify those thoughts that should not be entertained and change the channel of your thoughts!
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:7-8 NIV)
3. Choose what you say! Your words about yourself and others have immense power.
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. (Proverbs 21:23 NIV)
4. Choose how you are going to behave! Think before you act. They call it SELF-control for a reason!
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (Colossians 3:8 NIV)
5. Choose how you are going to feel! Don’t indulge in thoughts that feed negative emotions. Choosing to feel thankful for all the good things is an antidote to negative feelings.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15)
Kingdom Keys about Choosing Truth
- You can only successfully uncover lies you are believing by using God’s Word and His kingdom tools. Believing the TRUTH leads to Christ-like thinking and behaving.
- What you believe will shape every situation on your life.
- What you believe impacts your spiritual walk with God.
- What you believe affects your body and your mind.
- What you believe will impact your destiny.
The Word of God is to be your ONLY basis and standard of truth! You are called to live in accordance to God’s Word and truths only. You are NOT to be influenced by the world. It’s really pretty simple. Anything that is contrary to God’s Word, His thoughts, His promises and His heart toward us is a “Big Fat Lie”. When Father God created mankind, He planned for all of us to live in peace and unity with Him. Living in harmony and following one standard of truth – HIS!
Friends, please don’t just read this article and go on. Consciously try to set a guard on your thoughts this week. Capture them and measure them against the standard of God’s truth about you and those around you. Start to challenge any lies that have crept into your belief system!