The moment that I answered the email the lies began to replay themselves over and over…. “The meeting is not about what she said.” “You have history with this person – she has never liked you.” “She is going to shut you down.” “You will never be able to complete the vision.” On and on it went. I heard the Spirit of the Lord say. “Diane, do not worry. Roll this over on Me. Rest in Me. Trust Me.” I wouldn’t listen. I seemed to be driven to believe the lies. The lies continued. I called a friend. I told her my feelings. She empathized, pointed me to the Lord and said she would pray. I wrung my hands in despair and the Spirit of the Lord said, “Come to Me and ask ME about the TRUTH of this situation.” On and on the battle went. It quiet literally was torment! I would never write on this subject except that I know for a fact that I am not the only woman to experience a mind battle such as the one written above. Many of you reading have suffered defeat by the same or similar lies.
The Lies! How can reasonably intelligent women continue to believe lies? WE do everyday. How? Let’s break it down.
Our soul is made up of our mind
(intellect), our will(ability to choose), and our “precious”emotions. We will and do relate to others through our soul. Our soul is where our personality, our love language and our spiritual gifts and/or talents are displayed. The soul is also the place where we can conjure up drama and live out lies. I don’t know about you but I just hate that last part! Can’t stand drama! The older I get the less I can tolerate!
Here is the process of this drama…..
1. We embrace a lie. It could be from anywhere. The fact remains is that we intelligently receive it as truth and then begin to dwell on it.
2. We willfully choose to ignore the promptings of the Spirit to look for the root.
3. Emotions succumb to irrational fears and feelings because we believed the lie.
4. Result –
Defeat in our spiritual walk.
condemnation from ourselves and the enemy.
Missed opportunities to minister.
Damaged relationships with family and friends.
It will seem that victory over the flesh (soul)is illusive even unattainable this side of heaven. Another lie! Victory is always available to a believer. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Living in Victory is the safest most empowering place for the Christian to be. Victory will cost. Victory is hard work. Living in true VICTORY is worth it!
Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Remember there is no victory without a war!
Therefore, Gird yourself for battle sister and march out into the open ready to stand firm and get to the very root of each lie. Ephesians 6:10-19 “…..13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins ….“
Battle plan for Victory – Life from the inside out!
1. Identify the lies. In prayer, even if you are in the midst of the struggle. Stop. Pray and ask the Lord to help you by showing you the root of the lie.
2.Surrender/Repent/Forgive an offense/Seek forgiveness. Whatever response you need to take – DO IT! Willfully choose to surrender the lie, repent of the sin associated with the lie. Forgive the person who has hurt you or sinned against you and/or seek forgiveness.
3. Identify your emotions and submit them through prayer to the Lord Exchange the lie for the truth of God’s Word and replace your “stinkin” thinking! 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.“
You can post a comment in our Devotional area or in our forums and discuss your thoughts on our Victory!
There is Victory for our Souls!
Diane
Thanks for this reminder today, Diane. God’s truth is so powerful to free us from those lies we buy into! All those lies that are rooted in fear are the complete opposite of faith and trust. I found a passage in Isaiah 59:9-15 a few years ago that began a journey of unmasking some of those lies in my own life. I could identify so much with the word pictures in these verses…hoping for light but seeing only darkness and gloom. The groping and stumbling. Feeling dead among all those other vigorous mothers and pastor’s wives. The growling and moaning. Feeling like God and His help were so far away. My sin multiplying and shouting out against me. My sins always being with me, in front of me, hanging over me and off of me. My heart was very skilled at crafting deceitful thoughts, lies designed to devour any crumb of hope for the future, hope for change. Then it struck me…is it really because “truth is lacking”?? Could a lack of truth really be the root of my problem too? So I asked God to replace my lies with His truth and bring me back to it continually. And, you know, it’s been a gradual process, but He has done just that! Praise Him!! There is a pretty powerful conversation in John 8:30-47 about truth and lies too. There was a day when there wasn’t much room in my heart for His truth and I didn’t even realize it. It’s not a nice place to be. But praise God that His truth does set us free. Jesus is the TRUTH! The question for us today is…do we listen for His word? Do we welcome His truth? Is His truth in us? Do we stand in His truth? If not, Jesus has some pretty harsh things to say to us! In these verses in John 8 it says He is saying these things to “people who have believed in Him”. God is able to replace those lies with His truth, replace that fear that is feeding those lies with His love so we can trust Him completely! It’s time to be done with the fear and with the lies!! It’s time for God’s love and truth to fill our hearts and set us free!!!
Erin! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your words completed what I did not have room to write. So good to hear from you and to hear of the victory that our Abba has given you and still freely offers! I am grateful for you sweet friend!
Thank you for sharing. So needed to hear this as it has been a rough couple of weeks. And when we have nothing but time on our hands due to our circumstances (surgery) the devil uses that time to tell us all kinds of lies. Thank you for reminding me of who I am in Christ!
Jenneelynn I have just prayed for you and your family. Keep us posted on recovery! You are loved!