Several years ago I found a refrigerator item that had been misplaced to the kitchen pantry. I actually found it quite funny and began to question my four little ones.
“Ok guys, who put the milk in the pantry?”
Each of them got quiet and began nervously looking to their siblings.
“I think Chase did it.”
“It wasn’t me. Maybe it was Tess.”
“I didn’t do it!”
“Trey, was it you? I saw you eating cereal this morning.”
“It wasn’t me. I think Jack had it last.”
“Nope, not me…”
Several factors had made it clear to me that one of them was the culprit. Still the conversation went round and round as all four denied their involvement and desperately looked for an external source to blame.
It’s true that we live in a world full of lies.
But as much as we’d like to always blame an outside source, we must come to terms with the fact that we also fight the truth versus lies battle from within.
We Can Deceive Ourselves
According to Scripture, human hearts are rotten to the core, “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” (Jeremiah 17:9). Out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander (Matthew 15:19). And from the beginning of time, the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).
Our hearts, left to themselves, can quickly deceive us.
But praise God, that doesn’t have to be the end of our stories.
Praise God that He so loved the world, that He sent His son Jesus to rescue sick-hearted sinners like you and like me.
Out With the Old, In With the New
There’s no way we can muster up a new heart on our own. Only God can perform this miraculous heart transplant, taking out what is wicked, hard, and dead, and replacing it with new life that can only be found in a transforming relationship with Jesus. It’s all God – the pursuing, the saving, and the ever conforming of our hearts to become more and more like His. By His grace we begin walking to a different heartbeat, now able to see the world and its lies in a completely different light.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26
Keeping our Hearts in Check
Even after God has done His regenerative work in us, we still need daily reminders to help keep our hearts in check. God does the work, but we must continually guard our hearts by pursing more and more of His truth over the lies and sin that can so easily entangle us.
How do we do this?
Follow God’s Word. My kids have learned this key truth in Sunday School from the time they could speak some of their first words, “The Bible is God’s Word, and God’s Word is true.” It’s high time we stop believing the unstable and ever-changing conditions of our hearts. Instead, let’s be known as women who run to God’s Word to find the answers to all of life’s questions. “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5).
Follow God’s guidance through His Spirit. If you are a child of God, His Spirit lives in you! Instead of listening to the voices of the world and letting them sway the desires of your heart, start abiding in God’s Word and learn to hear His voice as His Spirit gently guides you to understanding. “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).
Follow wise counsel. The body of Christ is made up of leaders who have a strong foundation in God’s Word and are gifted in communicating God’s truth to others. Instead of living in isolation, reach out to godly counsel (a woman mentor, a parent, a pastor, or a biblical counselor are great places to start) who’s not afraid to tell you truth from Scripture instead of what you might want to hear. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
“The biblical picture is that God does the decisive work of heart transplant and heart circumcision and heart unhardening, and we are immediately participants in this miracle as conscious, intentional, willing actors renouncing the old heart, cutting away with all of the opposition we can muster the old life, and embracing the new and feeding the new tenderness of heart on God’s Word and by God’s Spirit.” – John Piper
The ways we deceive ourselves can go far deeper and have intensely more serious repercussions than a spoiled gallon of milk. Let’s begin this study by searching our hearts from within – thanking God for His transforming work in us, and owning our responsibility in our pursuit of truth over lies.
At His feet,
*Let’s talk: What lie from within are you constantly battling? Are you willing to own it and begin pursuing God’s truth over that lie, starting today (bravely commenting may be your first step to freedom!)?
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I am not defined by what type of job I have. No matter how much I hate it. I am no longer enslaved to fear. I am a child of God.
Ashley,
Thank you for being brave and sharing with us today. This world does not define us and is not our final home! Lifting you in prayer and blessed to have you join us. God Bless You!
The lie I live with constantly is I am never enough. I am not good enough. After being in a verbal abusive relationship I allowed those words to consume me and pierce me like venom. I knew they were untruthful. I thinks God for allowing healing in my life!
Angi,
Thank you for sharing with us from your heart today. In the Gospels of Luke and John, God tells us we are worth much, and in Romans that we are not our failures (Luke 12:6-7; John 3:16; Romans 6). I was also in an abusive relationship and understand the psychological effects it has. Those tapes in your mind of negativity are just like the ones Satan tells us. Each day when I still hear those old tapes telling me negative things, I have to combat them with truth. Some days are easier than others, but eventually it does get easier because the truth always trumps lies! Know that you are being prayed over and have a community of women cheering you on every step of the way. God Bless You!
What do I need to do to be active in the Bible studies and women’s groups?
Hi Shelly!
You are welcome to join our larger, Love God Greatly Facebook group here if you’d like:https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoveGodGreatlyBibleStudies/
My life is really beautiful and the struggles are God just teaching me a lesson. Sometimes I tell myself it could be better, but what do I know. I just need to remember to appreciate the moment God has placed before me and continue serving his will.
Lacy,
Thank you for joining us today! Human nature does have us looking ahead and wanting more. Like I used to tell my kids, be still and enjoy where you are and those around you. Time flies by and before you know it, well, you are my age! God has a plan for each of us, and we must trust Him with where He has placed us and is leading us. God Bless You!
This past almost 5 years my whole life changed due to major physical issues, During this time it’s been a time of learning and arguing with the Lord about why is all of this going on. It has been a time for me to realize that I’m not in control. Even if I don’t see the big picture for my life God knows what is ahead for me.
Shelly,
Thank you for being with us and sharing today. Changes in our lives are never easy, especially health related issues. During the past 6 years, I have also battled health problems that have resulted in major physical changes in my body and appearance. I, too, questioned God as to why these things were happening to me. Even though I am learning to live in this changed shell, I see that my outward appearance isn’t what is important. Our hearts and our values make us who we are (Psalms 139:14) And you are right….we are not in control, God is! We must trust in Him and His plan for our lives. Praying over you today. God Bless You!
The lie I tell myself is that I am defined by what other’s think of me or what I perceive them to think of me. It is crippling to try to live up to unnecessary expectations when really the only perception of me that matters is that of God.
I struggle with this too Lauren!
God, would you please help Lauren and I come to know even more how much you love us. May our identity be found in You alone! Break the chains of people pleasing and may we live and serve you only. Help us to see ourselves the way that you see us! I pray that you would cover us with your grace. In Jesus name, Amen!
Andrea,
Amen, sweet friend!
Yas Lauren! I completely feel where you are coming from and struggle with this myself. Know that you are loved! And as a child of God, you are beautiful and special in every single way!
Autumn,
Yes, sweet friend, and praise God!
Lauren R,
Thank you for joining us and sharing your heart today. I think many of us look to our peers for validation periodically. But the only true validation is from God, and He has already chosen us (John 15:16)! We are covering you in prayer today. God Bless You!
The lie that I am constantly battling is that God needs help to make my messed up life work. So I find myself trying to do things in my own strength and I end up failing because I need to realize that God does not need my help in what he has planned for my life. I need to just stand still.
Absolutely Karen! Dear Lord, I come to you b/c my heart is telling me to cry out to you for Karen and I.
I empathize with Karen’s struggles bc as you know, I struggle with this too. Lord, bless us with the strength to let go and let you take over our lives. Help us to see that we were meant to surrender to you in everything that we do. Bless us with peace in knowing that you got us Lord, and always have and always will.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Much love Karen!
Autumn and Karen,
What an inspiration! Thank you for so bravely sharing and praying for each other today. Yes, we need to be still and let God work in our lives (Psalms 46:10). Giving up that control is difficult due to human nature, but necessary. Lifting you both in prayer. God Bless You Both!
Karen, I struggle with this daily as well. I find myself believing that I got myself into this mess. I need to fix it, then God will help me. I even sometimes believe I deserve it, and even God can’t help me, nor want to. One day while praying over the situation. God spoke to me, “Look at the mess you’re in now. I want to fix it and help you, but you’re not letting me. You got yourself into the mess, what makes you think you can get out of it?” That’s when I realized, I made those stupid decisions. Who am I to believe I can change the way I think. I would only get myself into a deeper mess by continuing to try and fix it on my own. Ezekiel 36:26 couldn’t have stated it better. “I will give you a new heart and a new spirit.” “I will put within you.” “I will remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Anytime I feel down or worthless due to the foolish decisions I’ve made. I go to 1 Corinthians 13-4 (MSG). “Love never gives up.” I replace the word Love with Jesus, to remind myself. “Jesus never gives up.” not on you, me, or anyone else he NEVER has, and Never will. That is a promise from him.
Lauren R and Karen, it was meant for me to read your comments today. Thanks so much for sharing here on the blog! I’m noting both of the comments in my study journal. I feel like God spoke directly to me through your words.
Trina,
Amen, sweet friend!
One of the lies that I am consumed with is that my happiness is based on my circumstances – that if I lived somewhere else, if i went to a different church, if, if, if…I would be happier. I am struggling this morning with an ugly heart, a deceptive heart. I need a heart transplant. Please pray for me today as obviously this spills over onto everyone I love.
Thank you
You are loved Michelle!
Dear Lord, I pray that you bless Michelle with banishing the lies and negativity that are surrounding her heart. I pray that you bless her with the strength to let go of old ways or habits that may cause her to listen to the lies over your word. Lord, help Michelle to feel the love you truly have for her. Help her to feel the peace you want to consume her with. Lord, shower her with your Holy Spirit so that she may be guided towards your light and love. Michelle is needing You Lord, now and forever. I ask You Lord, that you rejuvenate her heart and cleanse it of the hurt she is suffering from. Replace her heart with a new one that is made of love, hope and Your truth. Lord, I also pray for Michelle’s family. Help to give them strength to be supportive of Michelle during her time of change. Help them to be quick to forgive past transgressions and to love Michelle and You love her. Lord, Guide this family to put on the full armor of You Lord so they can stand firm in Your word during this battle. Help them to remeber, they are not alone. You are ALWAYS with them.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Michelle,
Thank you for being with us and sharing today. I think all of us go through periods of thinking “What If” or “If Only.” It’s important that we take time to reflect on our journey and what God has done for us. His plans for each of us are different, but purposeful plans for all of us to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11). Praying for God to grant you peace and time to reflect on His plans for your life. God Bless You!
I have been recently freed from the lie that my sex life will never be good/God honoring. I come from a back ground of childhood sexual abuse, no dad in my life so running from guy to guy through middle/high school and being addicted to pornography. Satan had a HUGE hold on my sex life and after almost 7 years of marriage and years of healing I’m finding God’s truth over Satan’s lies! Lies that said I was damaged, that sex was dirty and wrong, that I wasn’t good enough/clean enough for my husband who saved himself for me etc etc. God says I am forgiven, redeemed, and God created sex and it is GOOD!
I struggle with the lie that God will not protect me. I struggle with anxious thoughts and brooding over what if’s when it comes to the safety and health of my family.
Yesterday, I felt very anxious (even when there is no reason to be) and I could tell I was being attacked. I began to say out loud “I will put my trust in the Lord. He is my protector and shield. I will not be afraid. For He will watch over me and protect me from the evil one.
Andrea,
Thank you for sharing and being with us today. Anxiety and worry are definitely attacks from Satan. Continue to replace those feelings with God’s Truths. He wants us to give Him all of our cares (1 Peter 5:7); know He will supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19); and fear is not from Him (2 Timothy 1:7). Lifting you in prayer. God Bless You!
Dana, thanks for being so open and real. The Lord hears your heart, and He gave you the courage to speak out, knowing you are fogiven and healed. There are others who need to hear what you have to say, out loud, in the open. Satan can’t keep us in the dark, when we come out into the light.
Ingrid,
Amen!
Dana,
Thank you for joining us and sharing today. Having been raped, I understand how you were feeling about yourself. I am so happy that you have replaced the enemy’s lies with God’s Truths, and you and your husband have strengthened your bond! Praying for this bond to continue to grow. God Bless You Both!
The lie I am working with God on freeing myself from is that I am an angry/no fun person. My nickname as a child was even attitude girl. At school, I was considered a “mean girl” and this type of rhetoric has transcended into my adulthood (surving an abusive relationship in my young adult hood didn’t help me to change towards positivity) But it’s simply NOT TRUE! I allowed a label that was put upon me to mold me into someone I truly am not. God tells me I can live a life of joy! God tells me I am loving! God tells me I am peaceful! God tells me I am caring! I am embracing full heartedly God’s truth about myself and giving God the power to clean away the lies I had given myself. I have asked for forgiveness for past mistakes and transgressions. I am putting my heart forward everyday to live a loving and fun filled life! I want to be a joy to everyone, especially to my partner and our children.
I can relate….My sisters labeled me the ‘mean one’ I’m so much nicer then either of them by a thousand times now, and yet I can not escape that label and thinking I’m rotten! I was never mean… I was depressed and ignored. My abusive childhood tormented me for years in high school due to repressed memories of my moms boyfriends flooding my brain. I pray you find peace over this lie and believe in who you really are!!!
Autumn,
Words are often more damaging and long lasting than physical trauma. Thank you for sharing your story with us today. You are doing the right things to move forward by replacing Satan’s lies with God’s Truths. Praying for continued strength in renewing your spirit and mind. God Bless You!
Thank you Velma for your support and prayers!
This lie runs through my mind often and breaks my heart…
there really isn’t a God. I’m wasting my time growing a relationship with Jesus who will end up disappointing and hurting me like everyone else in my life(because he isn’t even there). I’m not worthy of love and happiness anyway. I may as well just disappear
Thank you for your kind words Koreen!!
I would really love to pray for you! Your post really made me want to reach out and just hug you and love on you!!
Father God, please bless my sister Koreen. She is going through her spiritual journey to find You. Please Lord, in Your perfect timing, open Koreen’s eyes to you! Allow her to see that You are here for her, always. Koreen is battling with deep rooted lies, as You know, help to strengthen her Lord so that she will continue to reach for You and cry out for You in her times of need.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Being mentally healthy as well as spiritually healthy has truly saved me. If you belong to a church, don’t be afraid to reach out to a trusted member. Let them know how you’re feeling. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be validated. You are not alone!
Thank you so much! I have a church and a great support system! In my heart I know God is good and for me. Satan just continues to try and sabbatoge my relationship and feeds me lies. Your prayers mean the world to me!
Koreen,
Thank you for joining us today and sharing your heart with us. Satan wages spiritual warfare daily trying to confuse us and put distance and doubt between us and God. Continue replacing those lies with truths from God’s Word. God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Lifting you in prayer today. God Bless You!
The lie that I often feel enslaved to is that I am unlovable. I have the physical evidence in my life each day – unmarried, single, age 63. No man ever loved me enough and God obviously doesn’t love me enough to allow me to live out this example of Christ’s love for us that so many other Christian women get. Divorced? Widowed? You had a marriage once. No man ever loved me enough to want to marry me and I really struggle with this. Believing that God really does love me as much as my sister in Christ sitting next to me with a husband. I feel I am living out the consequences of a life misspent and that God has withheld a husband due to my poor choices in my life before I was saved. It’s very hard to trust God and believe He really does love me. I want to believe differently, I’m hoping this study will help me with that and to see beyond the circumstances of my life.
Sue,
Thank you for joining us and sharing from your heart today. I feel the pain and sadness through your words, and my heart aches for you. I understand loneliness after years of marriage and now years of being single after my divorce. However, this season of being single has brought me closer to God and lead me to thus ministry. God loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). I pray that through this study you will have a peace and an understanding of God’s love and plan for your life. God Bless You!
The lie I keep hearing over and over again is that I’m not good enough for my husband and your not enough for him either.
Lori-Anne,
Thank you for being with us today and sharing from your heart. Replace Satan’s lies with God’s Truths in order to rebuild your self esteem and strengthen you marriage. You are enough; you are God’s handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). I pray that through this study, God will give you a peace and understanding of your worth, and will strengthen your marital bond. God Bless You!
One of the lies I battle with is conditional happiness based on “if you worked harder, prayed harder, sowed more seed, if you tried harder, if you were in the right place at the right time things would change for you”. The sad part is I really do know these are all lies, I really need to focus on bringing every thought captive more than I have been.
Wendi,
Thank you for being here today and sharing with us. Part of human nature and society tells us we are in control of our destiny and happiness. But we can’t go the road alone! Without God’s guidance and the right mindset and intentions, we will fail every time. God has a purpose and path for all our lives. Our job is to trust Him in the process, be content and run our race with perseverance and endurance ( Hebrews 12:1). Replace Satan’s lies with God’s Truths. God Bless You!
I have battled OCD on and off in my life. I have obsessive controlling thoughts that barrage my mind especially during my prayer times or during worship. It is a spiritual battle and I know it is the enemy trying to wear me out or sow doubts.
Lori,
Can I just tell you that I see you today, and that you are not alone? While I don’t personally struggle with OCD, someone very, very close to me does. I want you to know that I understand how real OCD is, how it’s often misunderstood, and how intrusive and debilitating it can be on a daily basis. It absolutely is a spiritual battle, as well as a mental and physical one. Stopping to pray for you now as I pray so desperately for my loved one – that God will give you the mind of Christ as you fill your mind with His truth, that you will know His abundant love and peace on an even greater level through this trial, that He will provide the practical support you need through those who are especially equipped in this area, and that He will receive much glory through your life that is surrendered to Him.
So much love to you today,
Whitney
The biggest lie that cripples me time and time again is that i am unloveable ….i am not worthy of people to stay in my life .
The truth is God loves me and will never leave me . My experiences are just reminders of how humans can and will let us down , but our God never will !
Tracy,
Thank you for sharing and being with us today. My grandmother used to say that some people come in to your life for a season, while others stay a lifetime. Yes, people are human and will let us down if we allow them to have too much influence in our lives, meaning more than God. Only He is constant and our source of sustenance in this world. Don’t let the actions of others or lack thereof to define your “loveability.” God loves you (John 3:16) and calls you friend (John 15:15). Lifting you in prayer today, friend. God Bless You!
The lie that I tell myself is that I’m defined by what others think of me. Having suffered verbal and emotional abuse as a child and as an adult as well, I live with the lie that that no matter what I do, it’s not good enough. I am always seeking acceptance and approval from others and I worry all the time that people won’t like me.
The lie I fall for most is that I am unlovable. If I make a mistake or someone gets mad, I let it get to me and reinforce the lie especially if it’s been a hard day. My God is greater though and I know I need to start believing in him in those moments. No one I know would sacrifice their only son for me, but God did.
A position at work has become available. At first I was very excited and felt I had a very good chance of getting after speaking with my supervisor but now I have let others feelings and actions dictate my own. I am starting to doubt my own abilities and question if I’m qualified although after looking into and praying on I feel this is incorrect information. I do not want to let others views or negative opinions make my choices any longer. This world and the people in it do not dictate my life or happiness. They do not love me unconditionally and I need to try to remember that as i move forward. I’m not sure what the correct answer is but i want to make based on God’s will. In thinking and praying on one morning I found this Boble study and do not feel it was by accident. Looking forward to spending the next few weeks together.
The lie that I struggle with daily is that I’m a failure because I don’t have a career. I started college, but my husband and I married young, and life took us in a different direction. I’ve been a stay at home mom most of our married life. We home schooled our kids, and I worked off and on in church MDOs or where our kids took some of their high school classes, but I’ve never had a career. Now that my kids are grown, I am my mom’s sole caregiver, and I have volunteer opportunities that I participate in. I know God is telling me that’s enough and He has a plan for me, but I struggle when so many of my friends have careers and their lives look so much different than mine. I feel like I don’t measure up at all because I don’t earn money to help our family. My sweet husband assures me that I am doing exactly what I need to be doing right now, but I tend to play the comparison game. I don’t want to believe the lies anymore!! I really just want to be in His will… doing what He has called me to!!!
That no one likes me. I’m alone a lot and coming up to an empty nest soon and not sure how to handle it. I have a hard time opening up to people always rushed on out of church by my spouse please keep me in your prayers.
My lie I often tell myself is:
Always I/me…
Its always me who has to do everything
Its always me to take care of others messes
Its always me who is the idiot for others
And in the end, its always me who has to change and I am sich of that.
Another lie is that I will never be able to change… I cant help but react to my feelings, I cannot control my feelings/ reactions… it will never change….
I often react emotional, very emotional and I find it soooo difficult… I often hear that its my problem but I want others to take responsibility for themselves too (which in my eyes they dont). I think thats unfair and I get this feeling about always me
My lie I often tell myself is:
Always I/me…
Its always me who has to do everything
Its always me to take care of others messes
Its always me who is the idiot for others
And in the end, its always me who has to change and I am sick of that.
Another lie is that I will never be able to change… I cant help but react to my feelings, I cannot control my feelings/ reactions… it will never change….
I often react emotional, very emotional and I find it soooo difficult… I often hear that its my problem but I want others to take responsibility for themselves too (which in my eyes they dont). I think thats unfair and I get this feeling about always me
I am overweight and Im constantly comparing myself with other women and the ideal self I have in my mind. I struggle to accept & love myself. I also struggle with accepting who I am in Christ. I know that grace and forgiveness are gifts, but I struggle to accept them and find myself trying to earn them. The problem with that is that I cant earn them and I constantly fail which reinforces my negative feelings about myself.
Hi Mandie!
I pray that the Lord fulfills with His Holy Spirt and grants you the strength to accept all his gifts! I pray The Lord helps you believe that you are enough. In Jesus name, Amen.
Just remember, you are not a child of this world but a child of God. God doesn’t care if you’re skinny or have an “in shape” body. He only cares that you love Him. Jesus has already payed for your sins and imperfections.
You are beautiful. You are special. You are EVERYTHING to God!
Hi everyone I recently joined and i’m super late to this particular bible study but lately I’ve been having thoughts that are unlike God popping up all over’ sometimes it gets so terrible that i cant even think. I am trusting that God will make a way; I know He will make a way for me. I just am struggling a bit with holding on and being patient for Him to show up.
I totally relate to your pist!
I’m struggling to recognize my self worth. If I’m good enough. What I did wrong as a spouse to make my significant other walk out on our son and I and into the arms of someone else who he was secretly involved with for a whole year. Being a stay at home mom, I did everything I could to give my son and spouse a happy home life and it wasn’t enough. I’m feeling like a failure, struggling with daily living as a single mother. Trying to be happy for my son but its hard keeping myself together when all I can do lately is cry and wonder what I did wrong. Or did God remove him from our life for a reason?
That I’m not worthy. I KNOW that is a lie as I am fully KNOWN and LOVED BY GOD
the lie i have to fight is that im never pleasing to God and I have to figure out how to be pleasing to Him
That I am not defined by my past transgressions and that God see me as worthy!
That what my mother says is true, I am doomed to hell because I am no longer catholic. I strayed away from that religion as I felt that it was becoming more cult like. I was lost for many years and thank God I recently found my way back to God and a home church that I absolutely love. But what my mother continues to say, remains in the back if my mind.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved… Acts 16:31
Controlling churches and cults try to exert power over you by threatening your life in Christ. I have been through this myself. But it is Jesus Christ and his blood shed for us, that brings us life! Jesus says “I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. Run to Jesus!