5 Common Lies Christians Believe and How to Be Free

Matt Mylin   -  

“Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil” (Ephesians 6:16).

We’re in a battle. We have an enemy whose primary strategy is distorting the truth to disorient our soul. The weapon of choice is lies. The problem with lies is they do not always appear as deception. However, unaddressed deception can lead to confusion. Confusion causes instability. And instability can create anxiety, fear, and worry because of something that may or may not be true.

God’s word equips his people to stand firm against all strategies of the enemy.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul addresses the battlefield of the mind, which includes our thoughts and what we believe. Lies, like fiery darts, must be extinguished (read this post on how to identify lies and replace them with truth). We can be free from believing these lies by holding on to the promises in God’s word.

Five common lies the enemy uses against followers of Jesus and how to be free:

 

Lie #1: “You will never be good enough, so don’t bother trying.”

Believing this lie leads us to want to give up. Falling short of our own expectations or the expectations of others is a reality. We combat this lie by trusting God’s righteousness protects us from the voice of the accuser. We can live right from a position of being made right in Christ.

Lie #2: “You don’t have anything of value to offer others.”

Believing this lie leads to self-doubt. We combat this lie by trusting God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Remember, we are God’s masterpiece — his workmanship. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. He has given us what we need for wherever he’s placed us.

Lie #3: “Lying is ok as long it protects you or others from the painful truth.”

Believing this lie leads to a habit of lying. Some people don’t even realize lying has become a way of life. We combat this lie by practicing truth. Living with a clear conscience leads to peace and freedom. Practicing truth means if it’s not true, don’t believe it, don’t think it, and don’t speak it.

Lie #4: “You’re a hypocrite.”

Believing this lie shows up in judging or criticizing ourselves when we miss the mark. We must combat this lie by trusting God’s word to renew our minds. We may not be where we want to be but thank God we’re not where we used to be.

Lie #5: “They’re a hypocrite.”

Believing this lie shows up in judging or criticizing others when they miss the mark. We must combat this lie by committing to standing firm on truth and standing together with grace. Paul said, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Remember, God is strong, so be strong in him.

We can put on every piece of God’s armor so we will be able to resist the lies of the enemy and stand firm.

P.S. Click here to check out our message “The Fight for Truth and Freedom” from part 4 of our series The Truth Will Set You Free.