Dare to Be TrueNäide

THE LIES THAT BIND US

Most of us feel bound and stuck but we don’t know why. But Scripture is clear why. We have an enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy us. “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).

Satan has been given a short window of time before he is cast into the lake of fire for eternal damnation. Unfortunately, he’s made it his mission to take you with him. His attacks are subtle and crafty. We are even told in Scripture that he comes disguised as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV). He twists the truth, he tempts us to sin, and then he accuses us.

As we begin our week of devotionals, I don’t share all this to scare you but to inform you. I want us to be aware of Satan’s attacks and know how to fight back so that he won’t take more from us. He’s coming after our peace, purpose, relationships, joy, salvation, and identity. It can be tempting to believe that the devil has the upper hand in our disheartening world.

So, how does Satan scheme? He tempts us with lies like these:

• “Live your truth. Follow what you feel.”
• “You don’t need God. You can become your own god.”
• “Life will always be this way. You will always be bound.”
• “Success, money, and fame will satisfy.”
• “Living in sin isn’t a big deal. Everyone does it.”
• “God doesn’t care about you.”
• “God could never love you after what you’ve done.”
• “You are the problem. You are unwanted. Your life is meaningless.”

Maybe you can relate to hearing some of those lies or even believing them. I know I can. The enemy is cunning, but not creative. He runs the same play again and again. He appeals to our sin nature while tempting us to doubt that God’s ways are true and good. Then he downplays the seriousness of sin and speaks to the advantage of sin— power, pleasure, and anything your soul desires. But after we fall for the temptation, what follows is not satisfaction and success, but shame.

Knowing all of this, it can be tempting to believe the devil has the upper hand. But—spoiler alert—the devil is a loser. Jesus Christ is so much stronger than the devil. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (NIV).

So Jesus has won and will win…but the enemy is mad. Revelation 12:12 says that the devil is “filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (NIV). He is prowling around, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). But, in Jesus’s name, we can beat Satan. When you believe the lie, you empower the liar. When you believe the truth, you defeat the lie.

What lie are you believing right now? Is it about your looks? Your life? Your future? Your past? God’s love and heart for you?