Speak Truth to Lies

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Deception! That’s the power a lie has over you. And for the most part, it’s enough. When you face a temptation, it looks better to you or for you than it really is. When you buy into the lie, you can actually convince yourself that something very bad for you is good for you, or that you really deserve it.

Notice that I mentioned lies and temptations in the same paragraph. I did it on purpose because that’s what temptations really are — lies. They can be overt, and they can be subtle, but they are lies nonetheless. Jesus saw through the lies of the tempter after fasting forty days. Every one presented to Him was defeated by the truth of God’s Word. 

Here's a practical lesson I learned from a seminary professor many years ago. He said, "No matter the lie, name it and insert the truth." When you believe the truth, it’s a deal-breaker for deception. So, name the lie. Is it bitterness? Lust? Unforgiveness? Substance abuse? Materialism? Being unequally yoked to an unbeliever? You insert the temptation. All lies, and irresistibly inviting — tantalizing! You’ve named the lie, now, insert the truth. Find specific statements and principles in the Bible that unquestionably refute the lie. 

When you live by the truth of Scripture, you’ll be much happier because the “truth will set you free” [John 8.32]. I guess one could think that God is a “cosmic killjoy” who only wants to make you miserable, but that is a lie!

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Matthew 4.3-4