Good morning. I would like for us to consider today what it means to win the victory over the lies that our true enemy lays upon our hearts. I will do so by presenting the lie, clarifying what is being said, and by sharing scripture that speaks to God’s truth.
- Being holy is not possible for me. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 21:8 and quoted in 1 Peter 3:16. God will never command us to do or to be anything that is not possible. Our holiness is not of ourselves, but like our righteousness, it is ours through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Satan is too powerful, and I am too weak. Yes, Satan is powerful, but Jesus is so much more powerful that when you stand with Him and resist the devil he will run away in fear. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 The key to winning the battle with Satan is to not rely on our own resources but to be armored with the spiritual armor of God, as we read in Ephesians 6:10-18
- I know that I am to resist sin, but it is too much for me and eventually it gets me every time. That is a lie of the enemy. With the Spirit of God fighting with you, you are able. This is God’s promise to you. No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
- The mistakes and sins of your past will continue to define your future. No, that is a lie. Your past is buried with Christ and your future is blessed and secure in Him. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
- I wish I could forgive people, but I can’t. I always remember what has happened and that renews my bitterness. This lie is difficult because it makes us think that because one thing is true (that we remember things even when we would like to forget) then the other is true (since I remember the sins and hurts that others have inflicted on me it is impossible to forgive them). Yes, you may have memories that are painful but forgiveness is an act that is made possible with God’s help. We are troubled because we know that forgiving others is a command of God: For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 We are given a path that leads us to forgiving others, but we need to follow each of the steps. This path to forgiving is found in Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Death is the end. This is the great and very old lie. If the enemy can convince us that death is the end, we will never seek eternity. Death isn’t the end, and in Christ death is defeated. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Our enemy is a liar, the Lord calls him the father of lies. But his lies are defeated in faith and the power of our Savior who is greater. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
God bless your victories today!
Vern