The Enemy Lies

Have you ever been reminded how easily the enemy can slip in and change our thoughts to his way of thinking?

Not long ago I was reminded of this very thing.

I was upset and angry with a loved one, and I wasn’t even trying to shake it off. My feelings had been hurt and I was frustrated. As I worked around the kitchen, I silently fumed, “I’m so tired of this! Why isn’t God doing something!? Does He even care?!?”

I stopped cold. Where did that thought come from? I know God cares! Absolutely I know He cares. So, how could I even think to question it?

I have to tell you, it scared me. It frightened me that in my state of frustrated venting I could question God’s concern for me, the other person, and the situation.

Immediately I knew the enemy was at work trying to get me to believe his lies. I stopped what I was doing and prayed. How easy it could have been for me to get caught up in my anger and let that thought fester inside. My hurt and frustration could have grown, not only against the other person, but against God.

Lies.

Our enemy Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), and he wants us to believe his lies as truth. He looks for any opportunity to slip his lies into our thoughts, and he smiles when we believe them. He knows where we question our relationships and how we doubt ourselves. He knows our insecurities and he uses them against us.

The closer we grow to God, the harder the enemy will work to block our way. He wants us to doubt ourselves, and especially God’s love for us.

But this is what God says in Isaiah 43:1-4 (The Message)…

“…‘Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. 

I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, 

it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God, 

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, 

with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me! 

That's how much I love you!'"

God loves us and promises He will never leave us. (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 NIV) That is why we must remain in God’s Word. The more we know by heart the truth and promises in God’s Word, the better we will be able to detect the enemy’s lies.

Last week I read a post on Melissa Taylor’s (Proverbs 31 Ministries) blog. It was exactly what I needed to read that day, and in fact, I went back to read it multiple times throughout the week. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do so. I Know and Yet...I Still Doubt, by Melissa Taylor

I hope you’ll join me when we begin our online study of Renee Swope’s new book A Confident Heart on September 18. To sign up, send me an e-mail at laurajrath@gmail.com with your name, e-mail address, city and state.

In Christ,

Laura