Replacing Lies with Truth

Dear Friend,

I've wanted to write this post for several months, but God is finally giving me the opportunity.  And the idea has grown bigger than I originally thought.

It's something I need to hear again.  And hopefully something that will bless you.

This is my prayer - that we both become more like Jesus.  That we have a heart like His, full of Love.

   

We hear so many lies.

The enemy is constantly throwing them at us.  He lies about us, those around us, God.  And most of the time, we listen to him.

One week, a friend challenged me to start guarding my thoughts.  We took every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).  By doing that, I discovered so many lies that were going through my brain.

Lies like, "I don't belong.  These people don't care about me." Or "I'm not as beautiful, as talented, as good."

There were lies that were meant to tear me down and ones meant to tear down others.  "I'm better than them.  They don't deserve...  They're not..."

It's scary.  The lies we hear can completely transform us into this bitter, selfish person who is not who God made us to be.  They turn our day sour, throw a bucket of ice water on that faith we thought we had.  The problem comes when we listen to the enemy.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

- John 10:10

That abundant life comes through Jesus.

  

When I started to guard my thoughts, I was horrified by the lies I heard.  But I also felt transformed, because I replaced those lies with Truth.  I took every thought captive and weighed them before Him.

Every time a thought came in my head, I stopped and asked myself, "is this Christ's Truth?"

When the enemy said I wasn't good enough, I remembered - my goodness comes only from Him, for He is my inheritance (Psalm 16:6).  He loves with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

When I had pride, I remembered that I'm only a servant, like Christ was (John 13:3-5).

When I was afraid, I remembered that when I am weak, He is strong.  His strength is made perfect in weakness.  (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When I didn't feel like it, I remembered to praise Him (Psalm 16:9).

  

If we listen to the enemy's lies, we will be torn down.  Bitter.  Offended.  But Christ offers love, hope, and Truth.

It's not because our lives are perfect that we can have this hope.  It's because we choose to abide in Him in the midst of our struggles, knowing that in Him we have everything we need for life and Godliness.

That week was beautiful for so many reasons as I discovered the beauty of being transformed by the renewing of my mind.  When we take every thought captive and believe His Truth, we find joy.

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

- Psalm 16:11

Joy is found in His presence.

So friend, whatever is keeping you from that presence - whether busyness, idols, or those lies the enemy throws at you - replace them with Truth.  His word is Truth (John 17:17).

And that's the key of it all.  Truth is in God, in His word.  Renewing our mind means loving His word so much that it becomes a part of who we are.

That's my challenge for you:  abide in Him.  For me, that meant taking every thought captive and replacing them with His word.

Although I've fallen away from that practice, I want to go back.  I want to remember His Truth and dwell in it instead of in those lies.  But I can't find Truth if I don't abide in reading His Word, memorizing it, and praying faithfully.  I can't find Truth if I don't have Him.

What's your first step?  Let's talk below.  Share how I can be praying for you and encouraging you on this journey for Truth!  ♥

If we seek Jesus, He will be found.

Dear friend - seek.

   

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

- Isaiah 55:8-9

~♥~