17 Lies We Tend to Believe
I picture it said with a shrug and a crooked smile. Maybe because we all know deep down inside… the devil just tempted us to do it. We took the bait.
In other words: The devil didn’t make anyone do anything. It’s a lie.
But we can all probably relate to that feeling of heavy temptation. A feeling that can overwhelm our sensibilities to the point where we almost lose control — or do lose control. Ugh. (If you’re there right now, see this post.)
The First 10
One night I saw a thread go by on Twitter called #LiesFromSatan. People tweeted some of the most tempting thoughts that float through our minds at some point in life.
Thoughts about being too tired to read the Bible (God doesn’t care), too forgone to get saved (God won’t forgive you) and too busy to serve Him (You’re a Christian as long as you tell people you’re a Christian).
More you may have heard:
- You can save yourself. (@proverbs31girl_)
- God knows you’re young. Get right with him when you turn about 28. (@soulsafeDaveO)
- You can’t be saved and have fun. (@astrongbw)
- God can’t use you because of your past… (@rivers_flow)
- You were born that way... (@hoodiesnheels)
- The pastor just wants your money… Go pay your bill or buy a new outfit with that tithe money (@FromAdamsRib)
- He/She will never change
(God can change anyone!)
When I lived in and for the world, I believed all of these and more. Thank God they are lies!
Going by faith means believing the truth of Jesus Christ… even when we feel compromised. Even when no one else around us agrees. Even when it seems like the world teaches us otherwise.
Want to grow in your ability to discern truth from lies? Right from wrong? It’s not bad advice: Read the Bible.
Watch Out! 7 More Lies from Satan
Lie #1: You’re in control. You know what to do to make it happen.
What the Bible says:
A man can do nothing except it be given him from heaven. -John 3:27
We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God’s hands. -Proverbs 16:1
Lie #2: There are many paths to God. You’re a good person, that’s all that matters.
What the Bible says:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:14
Lie #3: You have the freedom to choose, which includes making no choice. (Sneaky!)
What the Bible says:
“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15
Jesus tells us that no man can serve two masters — Matt 6:24 and Luke 16:13
Lie #4: You’d have a better life if you looked like … (fill in the blank).
What the Bible says:
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” — 1 Sam 16:7
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.
— 1 Peter 3-5a
Lie #5: It’s ok to have sex outside of marriage. What’s the big deal?
What the Bible says:
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. – Hebrews 13:4
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5a
Lie #6: You went too far down the wrong road. God can’t use you now. You’re dirty.
What the Bible says:
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. — John 15:3
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:11
Lie #7: There are some people/acts you just can’t forgive.
What the Bible says:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32
Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. — 2 Corinthians 2:7
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. — The Our Father
So what do the lies of Satan have to do with faith? When we have faith, we know the truth; we cling to it. We go by faith instead of going whichever way the wind blows us. Amen!
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)